DOWN ON THE FARM

For my city and urban colleagues, this is an example of rural practice in 2001.

Last week, I attended a local farm for a meeting...For my city and urban colleagues, this is an example of rural practice in 2001.

Last week, I attended a local farm for a meeting with the widow and family of a farmer client of longstanding.

This involved: l A careful drive over the foot and mouth disinfectant matting the accountant expected at the meeting did not attend because of the outbreak; l A detailed discussion of inheritance tax, broken off when a fox appeared in the farmhouse garden; l Being put to the test, in the presence of the family, of being asked to identify local places from photographs of the 1920s.

Fortunately I passed, thus gaining considerable street cred, or the rural equivalent; l Being towed out by tractor, as the recommended parking area was waterlogged, and; l Explaining to my wife why the car which she had cleaned only the previous day, looked as if it had been on a hill climb.

Long may it continue.Peter Skinnard, Blight, Broad & Skinnard