Earl of Yarborough will lead a year of farming celebrations

THE AREA'S largest landowner, the Earl of Yarborough, is preparing to lead the county's farming community into a key year of celebrations.

Lord Yarborough will in 2009, follow three of his predecessors into the office of President of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society - organisers of the Lincolnshire Show - in the year of the 125th show, the 50th on its Grange de Lings showground, and the year of the opening of the environmentally pioneering EPIC centre.

For now he is the society's President-elect, voted in by members last week, with Richard Parker as President.

Lord Yarborough's great great-grandfather, the 3rd Earl, was the Society's first president for six years from 1869, his grandfather, the 6th Earl followed on from 1891 to 1920 and his father was President in 1975.

Talking to the Mail, Lord Yarborough, said that he was very pleased to continue the family connection with the society, 'especially at such an exciting in its history'.

The EPIC centre - a carbon neutral conference, events and functions centre doubling as the society's offices and members facilities - was, he said, 'a very brave, opportunistic and forward looking venture that will give the society a new lease of life and add a new dimension to the showground, re-engaging with the public'.

He hoped that it would strengthen a changing connection between the public and farmers as agriculture evolved and land was increasingly used for production of energy and fuel and concern over global warming grew.

As part of extensive refurbishment at Brocklesby Hall, Lord Yarborough is installing a woodchip fuelled boiler to convert forestry by-products to heat the hall, estate offices and other buildings.