CONTACT

Your main contact is Jim Alston

Address
Manor Farm, Calthorpe, Norwich, NR11 7QR

By Sat Nav – The post code takes you to Calthorpe Church. Our entrance is 100m West of the church

 

Telephone
All Enquiries 01263 493102 or 07785 352730
Out of Office Hours 01263 761798 0r 07785 352730

Email
sales@dofygate.co.uk

MEET THE TEAM

Jim Alston (Director)

Jim Alston farms at Calthorpe, Norfolk and has responsibility for running Calibre Farming Ltd, which also contract farms two other holdings. (Calthorpe 650 acres with 85 acres of grass supporting an Angus-based suckler herd run in conjunction with a neighbour. Calibre Farming manages 1300 acres of cereals and sugar beet)..

Jim served on the board of agricultural purchasing group Anglia Farmers (AF) for eight years, having previously chaired Loddon Farmers, which merged with Mid-Norfolk Farmers to create AF. He has also been a director of Aylsham Growers and Alysham Grain Marketing. Jim has been responsible for the AF Ag-inflation index, which is a key benchmark of inflation in the agricultural industry.

Oliver Chastney (Director)

Oliver was chief development engineer for Autowrappers Limited before starting his own engineering design business, which worked with manufacturing companies at the forefront of innovation within an international marketplace. After selling his engineering businesses in 1995 he remained as a consultant for two years. He then became special engineering projects director for GEI plc, an international group of specialist engineering companies. Although semi-retired, he remains closely involved with the engineering sector, including Hethel Engineering Centre.

Michael (Mick) Groome

Mick has a long history in the motor trade as an engineer and joined us in the summer (2017). Mick has brought an eye for detail and the ability to simplify processes and mechanical systems. Since Mick joined the Dofygate he has become an invaluable part of our continuous quest for improvement. Mick lives just 3 miles away from the office and assembly workshop and is always on hand when needed. Apart from Dofygate Mick’s main interest lies in shooting both game and clay pigeon and is an important member of the local clay pigeon club.

Robert (Skip) Donaldson

Skip is based in Erpingham and his own business RKD Engineering. Prior to becoming heavily involved with the Dofygate project Skip has been involved in building telescope mounting and control systems. Precision one off engineering with turning and milling machines that can produce accurate parts to drawings supplied. Despite being Australian Skip is not particularly interested in Rugby which rather spoils it when we beat them. Skip is involved with the North Norfolk Railway based at Sheringham and is a qualified steam engine driver. His ability to produce accurate reverse engineered parts for this historic machinery is a real benefit to a railway run by volunteers.