Saturday 26 May 2012
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09/02/2012 11:43:45
Environment minister to visit Kent county show
Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is to be the special guest at this year’s Kent County Show.
The news was announced at the Kent County Agricultural Society’s annual meeting at the Kent Showground at Detling, near Maidstone. Ms Spelman is to attend on the first of the three Show days ’ July 13, 14 and 15 ’ following an invitation from the society’s president, Lady Astor.
KCAS chairman George Jessel also revealed that Adam Henson of BBC’s Countryfile programme would attend on Saturday, July 14 when he will present prizes for the Grown In Kent initiative to involve Kent schoolchildren in producing fruit and vegetables.
Society members heard of the ’huge difference’ investment in new staff and facilities had made to the Kent Event Centre and the early take-up of trade stands for this year’s show. The meeting, on February 3, also paid tribute to two leading supporters of the society for their long-standing dedication to the county’s agricultural heritage.
John Jennings and William Wakeley received President’s Awards, given by the society’s president, Lady Astor, who was re-elected for a second term.
A successful dairy farmer, John Jennings, described by Lady Astor as an ’enthusiastic supporter of the Kent County Agricultural Society for many years’, won the supreme cattle championship in 1972, 1980 and 1981 and later became chief steward of cattle, then chief steward of livestock before taking over as society chairman in 1982.
Lady Astor said: ’He steered the society until 2002 during which time he oversaw massive improvements in the showground facilities and a steady rise in showground income through lets.’
Retiring vice chairman William Wakeley was praised for his long years of dedicated service. Lady Astor said: ’He has been involved with the Kent County Show since 1961 and served 20 years as the vice chairman and 12 years as the chairman of the Cherry and Soft Fruit Show which is the only soft fruit show in the world.’
Mr Wakeley has been replaced by another long-standing supporter of the society and the Kent County Show, Mary Anthony, who was voted in as the new vice chairman. George Jessel was re-appointed as chairman.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of two society stalwarts, Lady Aldington and Sidney Pennington, who had recently passed away.
The meeting concluded with the Falmouth Lecture, this year given by the Countess Sondes, owner of the 7,000-acre Lees Court Estate near Faversham. Lady Sondes described the estate’s success in growing non-food crops for use in pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, personal care products and bio-fuels.
She told the packed Astor Pavilion audience: ’To me, agriculture represents an intellectual challenge, great opportunities, creative outlets and a culture and way of life that I value. It has provided so much and I could not have wished for a more fulfilling life.’
George Jessel praised her vision and enthusiasm, attributes reflected in the society’s own aims. He said: ’We need the general public to see such forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the agricultural workplace.’
The news was announced at the Kent County Agricultural Society’s annual meeting at the Kent Showground at Detling, near Maidstone. Ms Spelman is to attend on the first of the three Show days ’ July 13, 14 and 15 ’ following an invitation from the society’s president, Lady Astor.
KCAS chairman George Jessel also revealed that Adam Henson of BBC’s Countryfile programme would attend on Saturday, July 14 when he will present prizes for the Grown In Kent initiative to involve Kent schoolchildren in producing fruit and vegetables.
Society members heard of the ’huge difference’ investment in new staff and facilities had made to the Kent Event Centre and the early take-up of trade stands for this year’s show. The meeting, on February 3, also paid tribute to two leading supporters of the society for their long-standing dedication to the county’s agricultural heritage.
John Jennings and William Wakeley received President’s Awards, given by the society’s president, Lady Astor, who was re-elected for a second term.
A successful dairy farmer, John Jennings, described by Lady Astor as an ’enthusiastic supporter of the Kent County Agricultural Society for many years’, won the supreme cattle championship in 1972, 1980 and 1981 and later became chief steward of cattle, then chief steward of livestock before taking over as society chairman in 1982.
Lady Astor said: ’He steered the society until 2002 during which time he oversaw massive improvements in the showground facilities and a steady rise in showground income through lets.’
Retiring vice chairman William Wakeley was praised for his long years of dedicated service. Lady Astor said: ’He has been involved with the Kent County Show since 1961 and served 20 years as the vice chairman and 12 years as the chairman of the Cherry and Soft Fruit Show which is the only soft fruit show in the world.’
Mr Wakeley has been replaced by another long-standing supporter of the society and the Kent County Show, Mary Anthony, who was voted in as the new vice chairman. George Jessel was re-appointed as chairman.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of two society stalwarts, Lady Aldington and Sidney Pennington, who had recently passed away.
The meeting concluded with the Falmouth Lecture, this year given by the Countess Sondes, owner of the 7,000-acre Lees Court Estate near Faversham. Lady Sondes described the estate’s success in growing non-food crops for use in pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, personal care products and bio-fuels.
She told the packed Astor Pavilion audience: ’To me, agriculture represents an intellectual challenge, great opportunities, creative outlets and a culture and way of life that I value. It has provided so much and I could not have wished for a more fulfilling life.’
George Jessel praised her vision and enthusiasm, attributes reflected in the society’s own aims. He said: ’We need the general public to see such forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the agricultural workplace.’
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