In these desperate times, when farmers affected by flooding are facing huge losses and wrecked fields, a £50,000 donation from The Prince of Wales’s Countryside Fund (www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk) to the charities under the umbrella of Farming Help (0845 367 9990; www.farminghelp.org.uk)-generously matched by the same sum from the Duke of Westminster-has been a timely boost.

The Royal Bath & West Society’s relief fund for the Somerset Levels, which was kickstarted by Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis (01749 822200; www.justgiving.com/Somerset-Levels-Relief-Fund), had raised just over £37,000 last week.

* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter