Doddie Cup 555 Ride returns for its fourth year. The ride takes place during the last week of Doddie Aid 2023, a national fundraising event where over 38,000 fundraisers across the UK have already rallied to raise as much money as possible for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research. 

A team of 9 from Powys, who are part of the Cobra Rugby Club, will join world record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont and British Lions Martin Johnson, Jeremy Davidson, Fran Cotton, Roger Uttley, Roger Baird, Rob Wainwright, Rob Henderson, Peter Winterbottom, Colin Charvis, Dafydd James, Nigel Redman, Paul Wallace to name but a few, as well as Doddie’s sons.

The star-studded team and our Powy heros, will cycle 555 miles in just 48 hours to deliver the match ball ahead of Scotland’s Six Nations match vs Wales in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. KLF is very proud to be sponsoring the team from Powys for this epic fundraising challenge.

Keith Fowles, Managing Director and Owner of KLF Insurance Brokers said: “Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a very cruel disease which I have lost family to. At the moment there is no cure but incredible fundraising events like this one go a long way to funding the much needed research. I hope one day a ground breaking development will prevent the suffering so many have to endure.”

The post Proud to sponsor Powys rugby stars for memorial cycling fundraiser My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

The impact of rural crime on farmers, businesses and the local communities shouldn’t be underestimated. Rural crime cost the UK £54 million in 2019, in Shropshire it was £1,412,222. It has financial consequences but farms are not just workplaces, they are the homes of farming families, this crime causes untold anxiety to farmers who can often be the victims of intimidation and threats of violence.

Increasing sophistication of organised criminals targeting agricultural plant, livestock, farm vehicles and machinery means we need to be creative in both detecting and preventing these crimes and working closely with the community to do this.

Farmers and rural businesses are being forced to come up with new ways of protecting property.  The use of CCTV cameras, smart water, strong lighting and security fences can help, as well as innovative technology such as installing infra-red beams which send alerts to mobile phones and geo-fencing, which triggers an alarm if tractors go beyond farm boundaries.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Farm:

1. CCTV

The installation of CCTV cameras and dummy cameras can help you protect the most vulnerable areas of your farm

2. Tractors and farm machinery

Keep vehicles locked and out of sight and consider “layers of security” such as immobilisers, chip keys and CESAR security marking.

3. Quad bikes and ATVs

Fit GPS tracking devices, wheel clamps and locking posts. Remove the keys and park larger vehicles in front of access doors where possible.

4. Lighting

Criminals do not like to be seen! Check your premises for vulnerable areas and install good lighting to outbuildings, yards and houses to discourage unwelcome visitors.

5. Tools and farm equipment

Tools & farm equipment are very desirable. Take photos of tools, record serial numbers and consider Datatag security marking. Ensure tools are stored in lockable storage containers fixed to the ground or the wall.

6. Livestock

Where possible consider advanced marking systems using coded microdots and  always mark stock using a recommended method. Regularly check fields with livestock and keep fences, hedges and perimeters in good repair.

West Mercia Police Advice & Information

The post Farm Businesses targeted by Organised Criminals appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

Salary:             £23,000-£25,000 (DOE)

Working in a busy fast paced environment offering full support to Keith Fowles, Managing Director to include:

• Producing letters and invoicing via an in-house system (system training will be given)
• Diary Management and the handling of email traffic
• Planning and organisation of events
• Confidentiality and handling of sensitive information
• Minute taking and circulation
• Reviewing documentation
• To be the first point of contact, meet and greeting clients and visitors
• Build strong professional relationships with clients and suppliers on behalf of the organisation

Essential qualities:

• Proficient in digital dictation and letter layout, a fast and accurate typist
• Demonstrable confidence in ability, outwardly confident persona
• Organisation under pressure
• Initiative with a “can do attitude”
• Understanding confidentiality and GDPR laws
• To be flexible in your approach and have a desire to succeed
• A strong desire to fulfil a key role in a fast-paced organisation  

In return you will receive:

• A competitive salary
• 5 weeks paid holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays
• Attractive working hours Monday – Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, with one hour for lunch
• Full support with training and development
• Some flexibility with working hours whilst covering shows, events and corporate entertaining
• The opportunity to join a friendly, hardworking and supportive team
• Attractive workplace conditions with good transport links and local amenities nearby
• On site car parking

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to represent current priorities and are not meant to be an exhaustive list. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties and responsibilities.

For more details please contact: angela@klf-insurance.com

The post Job Opportunity appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

The UK, like so much of the world, was unprepared for the pandemic. For farmers and landowners it came at a time of existing disruption as Brexit and the consequential reform of agricultural and rural development policy challenged business plans.

Forthcoming changes to government support are driving farmers downs new paths to boost profitability. The next seven years will be crucial for the farming industry and many farmers are looking at new business opportunities in order to spread their risk.

Anyone who is diversifying their farming enterprise needs to ensure that from the outset they are properly insured. A new business brings with it new risks so having the correct cover is essential. If you are planning a new project you must check with your broker to establish whether you need alternative or additional cover.

Key questions relating to insurance:

• If you need to take on new staff, are they covered by employers’ liability insurance?
• Are all business activities insured for public or products liability?
• Are all revenue streams insured in the event of a material loss?
• Have risk assessments been carried out on any new activities involving members of the public?
• Have you purchased any air pressure or lifting equipment for new projects – if so, do you have engineering inspection insurance?
• If you plan to add play equipment or hot tubs for paying guests, have you told your insurer?
• Have you considered business interruption insurance to cover losses in the event of bad weather, equipment failure or illness?

Appeared in Shropshire Star Farm Talk

The post Insurance for Farm Diversification appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

In August Clara joined 30 people in the “Raising the Bar Challenge” to cycle from Holyhead to Cardiff (250 miles) in just 4 days.  The intention was to raise £5000 to be shared equally between three charities:

• Wales Air Ambulance
• Parkinsons UK
• Breast Cancer Now

They smashed that target raising just over £12,000 – £4000 for each charity.

In April Clara was going to be running the London Marathon in aid of Montgomeryshire Emergency Doctors (MED). Clara now has the challenge of running the marathon virtually this Sunday, 4^th October – not an easy task when the atmosphere, camaraderie and crowd are missing to help with motivation during the 26 mile challenge. Not to mention the fact that there is a weather warning in place too!

Clara’s motivation is personal! Dr Les Milne, a volunteer doctor at MED, assisted her when she had an accident that changed her life forever, she broke five bones in her back.  Lucky to be alive and able to walk, Clara certainly doesn’t take her mobility for granted & we are all wishing her the best of luck on Sunday.

To donate to Clara in aid of Montgomeryshire Emergency Doctors click here

The post KLF Charity Challenger appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis, COVID-19, BREXIT and now Storm Ellen. This year’s sequence of extreme weather events would be enough to test any farmers resilience. Add to that all the difficulties of a global pandemic and uncertainties over BREXIT and we see the UK farming sector challenged like never before.

Climate change is having a huge impact, increases in the intensity of rain fall during the winter and summer months, as well as heatwaves are followed by convective downpours. The challenge is knowing how to manage that, being prepared for the risks and adaptable to change.  Farming innovation and technology will develop accordingly.

This year our farmers are facing a potentially record-breaking difficult harvest with farming leaders warning that wheat yields this autumn will be down by about a third. That could potentially leave the UK this year as a net importer of grain rather than a net exporter.

On a positive note, Covid-19 has generated an improved level of respect for farmers as essential workers. Through grit, vigour and adaptability the farming community has rallied round to work together and keep the nation fed.

Our farmers are always resolute and determined, but with heatwaves to contend with and now much more rain on the way the challenges will be another burden to bear so let us all appreciate the essential work they do day in day out. Thank you British Farming.

Appeared in the Shropshire Star Friday 21 August.

The post Farming Challenged Like Never Before appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

In April Clara was going to be running the London Marathon in aid of Montgomeryshire Emergency Doctors (MED). Dr Les Milne, a volunteer doctor at MED, assisted Clara when she had an accident that changed her life forever when she broke five bones in her back – we’re grateful as without that assistance  we may not have our valued member of the team.

Clara now has the challenge of running the marathon virtually, not an easy task when the atmosphere, camaraderie and crowd are missing to help you along with motivation. Training hard for 4^th October, Clara is a glutten for punishment!  She has also signed up for the Thirst Quenchers “Raising the Bar” Cycle Challenge, in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, Parkinsons UK and Breast Cancer Now.

Clocking up the miles, Clara and a team of 30 others will be cycling from Holyhead to Cardiff (approx. 250 miles) on 26th August with the aim of raising at least £5,000 for three very worthy charities that are close to many people’s hearts.

Good luck with all the challenges Clara.  If you would like to support you can click the links below:

Marathon: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/clara-bright-2?utm_term=2pMZ55xMD

• Montgomeryshire Emergency Doctors

Cycle Challenge: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thirstquenchers

• Wales Air Ambulance
• Parkinsons UK
• Breast Cancer Now

The post Clara Bright Rises to the Challenges of 2020 appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

The annual #Farm24 campaign, created by the Farmers Guardian and sponsored by Morrisons, will take place from 5am on 6th August to 5am on 7th August. This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to take to social media and say thank you to our British farmers.

Farmers work tirelessly, sometimes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to produce the nation’s food and maintain our beautiful countryside. 24 hours in farming helps to showcase to the public a typical working day on the farm.

Here at KLF Insurance we’re proud to be supporting #Farm24 so join us, take the pledge and let social media know (#Farm24) what you are doing to produce our nations food this Thursday. Sign up here.

The post #Farm24 appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

Take Safety Seriously

Worrying statistics show that fatal injuries in farming are around 18 times as high as the average rate across all industries, accounting for more than 22% of all workplace fatalities according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

2019 HSE figures shows that farming still has the highest rate of fatal injury. Farmers often have so many business issues to think about that health and safety considerations are at the bottom of their ‘to do’ list.

This year all eyes should be on how to prevent injuries. With the pandemic and exceptionally dry hot Spring, this could be one of the most challenging harvests since World War Two.

Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive show 39 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities last year.

This year, dry conditions increase the risk of fire during harvest and because of COVID-19 childcare and school arrangements for many farming families have been disrupted, meaning that young children may well be on farms during the harvest period.

We urge farmers to check their fire prevention methods and evacuation procedures. Take the time to assess risks and keep an eye on where family members are.  Let’s hope we can reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on farm this year. Stay safe.

Shropshire Star

The post Farm Safety & Managing Risk appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.

Schools have been closed and businesses forced to shut down. As a result we have been overwhelmed with calls from concerned clients wanting to find out if Business Interruption will cover a forced closure.

Sadly, in the vast majority of cases, the Business Interruption (BI) section of the insurance policy does not cover loss of income for the sweeping business closures announced last week, nor does it extend to cover any loss of stock should it pass it’s best before date. BI is usually taken to cover material damage, in most cases there has to be physical damage to insured property for the BI section to respond:

To avoid any confusion, when the Government indicated that they had done enough for insurance policies to be “triggered”, it is essential to make it clear that the relevant cover impacted is ONLY in respect of non-damage business interruption.  These are usually optional in policies and in many circumstances business’ insurance will NOT include this cover.

During these desperate times businesses can find out more information about help from Government in their guidance for employers and businesses.

We will do all that we can to support our clients and hope that in the coming months we all emerge safe and well.

The post Insurance Cover and COVID-19 appeared first on KLF - INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED.