The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2018 - Issue 54 | Page 10

10 SIMON FLEET
DEC/JAN 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk
PASSION AND
COMMITMENT
FORGING AHEAD
I recently met up with Simon Fleet, wife Kat and delightful
13-month-old Annabelle. Simon is yet another example of
the many hard working young entrants into the Farming
community. Simon of Fleet Foot Trimmers has been
going for 6 years now. Previously Simon was working as
an outdoor instructor when a friend bought him a single
sheep. He enjoyed looking after the sheep so much
that 2 months later he went and purchased 30 more.
ALWAYS having a wish to get into farming
but not having the vital cash to purchase
land or take on a tenancy he went to work
for another Hoof trimmer. Very quickly
Simon realised he could do much better, so
he went to Embryonics of Cheshire to do a
full course after which Fleet Foot Trimmers
was open for business.
Every 2 years he goes back for a check
day to ensure he is up to date on all new
techniques, legislation and equipment.
However, Simon is keen to point out that
the greatest learning takes place on the job.
Foot trimming is not without its risks and
challenges, many is the time when Simon
has returned home covered in the prover-
bial, as we all know when you’re an animal,
if you gotta go you gotta go! Last year Si-
mon was kicked quite severely which is just
one of those hazards that comes with the
job. He badly damaged all the ligaments
and tendons in his hand which stopped
him working for a short period, however
every cloud – his daughter Annabelle had
just been born, so hey presto a spot of
enforced paternity holiday along with some
father and daughter bonding.
‘ Foot trimming is not
without its risks and
challenges, many is the
time when Simon has
returned home covered
in the proverbial, as we
all know when you’re
an animal, if you gotta
go you gotta go!
’
When starting a new business, you need
strong support, Simon’s wife Kathryn is a
hard-working student paramedic and in
between juggling shifts, early starts and
childcare. On top of all that she does all of
Simon’s invoicing and books and keeps the
washing machine on permanent standby!
One of his customers has kindly let Simon
keep his crush on their farm which has also
been a great help.
Simon and Kathryn have been togeth-
er for 10 years, their meeting was quite a
quirky one. Simon was working as an out-
door instructor at a centre for the partially
sighted when he met Kathryn and thought
she was blind, when in fact she was also
working there.
Simon has now built up a loyal custom-
er base across Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
When I asked about what has made the
‘ As well as general
trimming Simon can
treat all infections/
ulcers ect as well as
offering dehorning,
disbudding and
freeze branding
’
difference he said “Reliability is key, being
able to get there when the farmer needs
you, however it can be frustrating waiting
around for animals to be brought in. After
every visit along with the invoice we pro-