40th Anniversary Celebration for Agricultural Society
Photograph shows the Princess meeting the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mr. Hugh Wyatt and his wife.
HRH Princess Alexandra joined more than 170 guests last night to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the South of England Agricultural Society. In her capacity as President of the Society, the Princess attended the special dinner held in the Norfolk Pavilion on the Ardingly showground.
The Agricultural Society can trace its roots back to the late eighteenth century, evolving from groups based in the three main agricultural counties of southern England.
Guests included Vice Patrons Lady Sarah Clutton, Colonel Sir Brian Barttelot, Mr Ian Askew, former Chairmen, Council members, committee representatives and Society supporters.
Charles Moore, columnist and former editor of the Daily Telegraph, proposed the toast to the Society. He explained that although he was not particularly well versed in agricultural, he was born on a small village farm in Sussex and certainly believes in the countryside and supports local food producers. Mr Moore said: I congratulate you on all your charitable work promoting agriculture and the countryside - here's to another glorious 40 years for the Society."
Replying to the toast, David Allam, chairman of the Agricultural Society, described how it has evolved over the years and the impressive achievements which have been made.
He said: "Over the last forty years this Society has transformed a small grassland farm into a permanent Showground. Among its distinguished Chairmen, Christopher Hall masterminded the building of our splendid pavilion, Jim Green extended our road layout and built Rank Lodge, and Carola Godman Law saw off the food and mouth crisis and built the Queen's Jubilee Hall.
"The Show has of course grown along with the roads and buildings, from 250 trade stands in 1967 to 1,500 last year. From one Show a year to four and public use of the Showground from 30 events in 1967 to 340 last year."
He added: "We have also been remarkably innovative as a charity, establishing unique links with Europe through the Eurolink farming exchange scheme. Our Young Craftsmen competition, which upholds true faith in the skill and creativity of Southern youth. A unique competition for young people with learning disabilities and of course, conferences, bursaries and competitions. We have an excellent Education Committee, bursting with ideas, who held a special Agricultural Show free for over 2000 primary school children. If anyone doubted the need for us to exist, that event, full of life and vigour, would dispel such doubts."
Mr Allam said the Society had three key objectives for the next ten years - to significantly extend its education programme, demonstrate a commitment to environmental good practice and actively promote local food.
Guests enjoyed a delicious meal of Sussex fayre prepared by the Society's resident caterers, Three of a Kind. Mark Bycroft from Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt heralded the arrival of the dinner and speeches with his hunting horn and the Copper family from Rottingdean ended the evening with a medley of traditional farming folk songs. Every guest was given a bottle of Brown Bull – a special beer brewed from local hops by Harveys of Lewes to mark the 40th Anniversary of the South of England Agricultural Society.
