2018/2019

www.bathandwest.com We have made great strides in driving the organisation onward and upward” Welcome RUPERT COX CHIEF EXECUTIVE Contents

Welcome 2 President 4 FRONT COVER: Chairman’s Review 5 Sheep Shearing ©Andrew Gorman Chief Executive’s Report 8 Oxford Sandy & Black Pig ©Andrew Gorman RASC Conference 2018 11 Otter Hounds ©Shannon D’Arcy Field to Food 12 Show Jumping in Ring 2 As Brexit continues to dominate the headlines but fails to ©Andrew Gorman Grassland UK 14 deliver clarity it has been a confusing year for farmers all HON. EDITOR: round the country. We have also had our first Agriculture Bill The man who changed Rupert Uloth since 1947, where food production remains fundamental but Somerset forever 16 MANAGING EDITOR: environmental protection is increasingly relevant – weather Change at the Society Library 18 Paul Hooper OBE is undeniably following more extreme patterns. In this latest The Royal Bath & West Show 20 CO-ORDINATING EDITORS: Journal you will read how the Society is implementing Zoë Purcell & Rachel Freestone exciting changes and improvements to adapt to this new The Man with the Mike 23 world and how our history will be a guide to innovation. DESIGNED BY: Champions 2018 24 Caroline Curran Design We are a Society founded on the principles of improving www.carolinecurran.co.uk agriculture, manufacturing, commerce and the arts and Stewards Q&A 28

PRINTED BY: showcasing these to as wide an audience as How a great breed was born 30 Zenith Media possible remains our core purpose. The Dairy Show 32 RUPERT ULOTH HON. EDITOR Dairy Industry Vet of the Future 34 Rural Enterprise Centre 36 Restaurant Development 38 Insects could be a food of the future 39

Charity Number: 1039397 Bath & West Enterprises 40 Company Number: 02931640 WPD-sponsored competition is a resounding success 42 The Bath & West Showground Shepton Mallet Society Trustees 43 Somerset BA4 6QN Phone: 01749 822200 Stewards & Officials 44 Email: [email protected] Sponsors 51 www.bathandwest.com Interhunt Relay Competitor

2 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 3 ROBERT DREWETT DL CHAIRMAN Mary has achieved so much in her year and we are grateful This was a year of highs and lows but with increasing involvement from to her and the Directors for their guidance and support.” younger members and a full programme of projects and activities ahead, THE EARL AND COUNTESS BATHURST JOINT PRESIDENTS prospects look look positive explains Society Chairman, Robert Drewett DL

The Royal Bath & West of England Society Presidents for 2018/2019: Chairman’s Review The Earl and Countess Bathurst

aking up the baton from outgoing he highs included completion of president, Mrs Mary Prior CVO I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE the Rural Enterprise Centre, a visit MBE, The Earl and Countess were from our Vice Patron, a successful sworn in at a meeting of the Society ROYAL BATH & WEST SOCIETY Grassland UK and Dairy Show, a CouncilT at the Bath & West Showground on WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE veryT well-presented Main Show and the Thursday, 26 July 2018. OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, exciting decision to refurbish and expand The Bathursts’ estate at Cirencester Park the current restaurant on site. is approximately 15,000 acres and has HELP AND GUIDANCE WHICH Against this was a disappointing been in the family since 1695. Activities on WILL BE OF ENORMOUS VALUE. attendance at the Main Show and the the estate include the historic Cirencester decision of New Wine, after more than Park Polo Club, Tennis Club, Cricket Club, MRS MARY PRIOR CVO MBE 20 years with us, to move elsewhere in Caravan Club, deer stalking, dog agility 2019 for their annual gathering. Both of competitions and the Cotswold Show. these factors present challenges on the Lord Bathurst farms in house more than finance front, but we are confident that 5,000 acres, as well as a 900 Holstein Lord Bathurst is President of the these issues are short term in nature and Friesian dairy herd at the neighbouring Gloucestershire Farming and Wildlife that the outlook remains positive. Kemble Farms. There are numerous Advisory Group, Cirencester Male Voice The completion of the Rural Enterprise residential and commercial properties on Choir, Cirencester Hospital League of now sits as a Vice President of the same Centre was a significant step forward in the Estate and Lady Bathurst personally Friends and The Gloucestershire Wooden institution. He is particularly fond of his the Society’s ambition to ensure it fulfils runs the successful Bathurst Estate Holiday Spoon Society, amongst many other herd of Gloucester cattle and takes pride in its charitable objective of supporting Cottages. Future plans also include the charities and projects. He is a past governor finding the time every day to check on and rural enterprise. The old offices have sensitive development of 2,350 houses. of the Royal Agricultural University and feed them, he says it gives him the chance been transformed into a modern working to get out and see the Estate rather than environment with a range of spaces remaining permanently tied to his desk. available for use. These are complemented Lady Bathurst served as High Sheriff by the test kitchen that we have installed Main Lawn Entertainment of Gloucestershire in 2016/2017 and is and which we hope will allow small local patron or president of numerous local food producers to be able to develop their charities across the County, including products without the need to invest in condition for the day, but all came together Lilian Faithfull Homes, Salter’s Hill, Great expensive equipment themselves. THE COMPLETION OF THE well and the feedback from those that Western Air Ambulance Charity and SARA The Centre was officially opened by our RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTRE attended was very positive. Rescue (Severn Area Rescue Association). President, Mary Prior, in January and we WAS A SIGNIFICANT STEP Grassland UK was the start of the first She still remains closely involved with were fortunate to be able to welcome our period of sustained warm weather of the Gloucestershire Constabulary and supports Vice Patron to the building in March. Her FORWARD IN THE SOCIETY’S year, which lasted through the remainder them in as many ways as possible. As well initial reaction, on entering the building AMBITION TO ENSURE IT of May. Unhelpfully this came to an end as supporting her husband in maintaining from its new entrance, of “Wow!” was FULFILS ITS CHARITABLE just before the start of the Main Show the Estate for future generations, her other testament to the vision of the design and the and undoubtedly the rather negative passions include her little horse box coffee quality of the fit out that has been achieved. OBJECTIVE OF SUPPORTING forecasts, after a period of fine weather, shop ‘Beano in the Park’, her dogs and the Emma Corr, our newly appointed RURAL ENTERPRISE. put some people off attending. This was countryside. manager of the building, is working hard a shame as the Show itself was one of Looking forward to their year in office, with our Chief Executive to ensure that we the best presented for many years, and the Earl and Countess said: ‘We feel hugely make full use of the building and ensure those who did attend were very positive privileged to be serving as joint presidents strong occupancy rates and to date the by all the main manufacturers and a good in their feedback. The fall in numbers has of the Royal Bath & West Show. Remaining take up has been very encouraging. crowd, but with contractors keen to get made us look hard at the way in which we old friends of the Society, we have great It was our turn this year to host Grassland going on the silage, after some wet weather, market the Show and in 2019 a different, admiration for everything they have UK and David Sedgman and his team laid some of these were absent. There had been more targeted, approach will be adopted. Countess Bathurst, Mary Prior CVO MBE and Earl Bathurst achieved.’ on a first-rate show. This was well attended some issues in getting the grass in optimum We also recognise that, faced with a

4 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 5 500 seats next generation The decision has been made to convert the existing cheese I have asked Will Hyde to form and chair a Next Generation hall on the ground floor into a new 500 seat restaurant. Committee to help the Board identify and react to the challenges that lie ahead.

prepared to self-fund their attendance at with her husband John, took a very keen the Conference. This year Will Hyde was interest in all that the Society did during acting as one of the two Next Generation her year in office, and was a regular visitor conveners, and by all accounts did a to the Showground. She was without fail fantastic job. He was ably supported by always enormously enthusiastic about all BMX stunts in the Sports Area Emily Craven and Will Streatfeild, returning aspects of our operations and no one who delegates, and by our two scholars, Sam met her could have failed to be charmed by memorial service at the end of August Tincknell and Victoria Look. her. She and John were tireless during the was held at Ottery St Mary in the church The conference itself was focussed on four days of the Show and attended endless where he and Carey married, and the Farriers working in unison Connecting the World through Food, and functions and meals without any complaint. over 600 mourners was testament to the we enjoyed some excellent and thought- It was a great pleasure to have been able very high regard in which John was held. provoking presentations, as well as to work alongside Mary and John, both On a personal level I will miss John very It was all change at the Dairy Show as discussions about some of the challenges of whom were excellent ambassadors for much, as he was an enormously supportive well this year, with David Cotton enjoying facing agricultural societies across the the Society. President. I am grateful, however, that we his first show as Chairman of the Dairy Commonwealth. As one delegate remarked, In July Mary handed over the reins to our should have had the chance to benefit from Show. Numbers were again strong, and the with some surprise, our similarities are new Presidents. This year we are pleased John’s involvement and I am sure that all Dairy Industry Dinner was as popular as far greater than our differences, although once again to have joint Presidents, in the those who knew John will support me in British Blondes in the Grand Parade ever. This year we introduced the idea of we learn from our differences. It was a shape of the Earl and Countess Bathurst. sending our condolences to Carey and having a nominated agricultural charity as powerful reminder about the strength of the Based at Cirencester Park, the Bathursts are the family. the focus of the dinner, we were pleased to bonds within the Commonwealth. significant farmers in their own right and Within the Board, we have said farewell poor forecast, we need to be much more welcome Send a Cow, a charity celebrating But the abiding memory for me was the we therefore look forward to enjoying their to Nell Matheson. Nell moved up to her proactive in outlining the many undercover HAVING A STATE-OF-THE-ART 30 years of supporting farmers in Africa, to sheer calibre and enthusiasm of the Next input at our events in 2019. family home in Scotland two years ago and activities available for visitors to enjoy. The RESTAURANT FACILITY WILL the dinner. Thank you to all those attending Generation delegates, and the realisation It was with great sadness that we learnt has reluctantly concluded that the commute irony is, of course, that a relatively cold, but BE AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN for supporting it so generously. that in their hands our societies have a very of the death of Sir John Cave in June, John to Board meetings is not really sustainable, dry day is far to be preferred for visiting a On a wider stage we do, of course, positive future. Against this back drop I have having been our President 2017/2018. His and that she should step down. We are very show than a baking hot day, but sadly for THE ARMOURY OF OUR remain little wiser about what 2019 will asked Will Hyde to form and chair a Next sad to lose Nell, who has been a stalwart many the reverse is perceived as best. ENTERPRISES COMPANY. bring and what life will be like post Brexit. Generation committee to help the Board supporter for more years than she would Having said that we were disappointed, Whatever the basis upon which we exit identify and react to the challenges that lie BUT THE ABIDING MEMORY FOR want to admit, the Matheson family having things need to be kept in perspective. We Europe it has the potential to provide ahead and I look forward to reporting next ME WAS THE SHEER CALIBRE been the lynchpin of the Horticultural tent have a very aspirational team, who are views over the Main Ring. We are working challenging conditions for all those involved year as to how this initiative has progressed. for many decades. Nell always provided determined to deliver the very best event, closely with Edgar Brothers, our appointed in agriculture and food production. As a We were very fortunate to have had Mary AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE NEXT strong practical advice, and we are grateful which is a great asset for the Society, but contractor, to ensure that the project can be Society we will remain keen to provide Prior as our President this year. Mary retired GENERATION DELEGATES. to her for the time she gave to the Society. it is important to remember that we still completed in time for the Show in 2019 and what practical support we can to producers as Lord Lieutenant of Bristol in 2017 and, We have welcomed two new members delivered a first rate and well attended whilst there will be some limited disruption to ensure that they are as well equipped to the Board. Catherine Look has been show, and we have to be careful not to as works progress, these will be kept to a as possible to face the challenges that lie serving on the Charity Committee until overlook all that was achieved when we minimum. ahead. It may well not be easy but based now, but as a successful business woman do not meet all of our self-imposed targets. Having a state-of-the-art restaurant on history those who are willing to invest we are delighted that she has agreed to join For some time now, we have been facility will be an important tool in the time and effort into improving the way in the Board and give us the benefit of her reviewing our options for the Restaurant armoury of our Enterprises Company, which they work will be best placed to advice. We also welcome Rupert Uloth, the building. It was clear that money needed to which is charged with making best use of weather the storm. It is for this reason that Editor of this Journal. Rupert is a journalist be spent to bring it up to modern standards, the Showground when not required for the we will continue to work with charities like by trade, having spent some time as Deputy and it was equally clear that a good food staging of our shows and other activities Innovation for Agriculture in researching Editor of Country Life before becoming offering is critical to the success of the designed to fulfil our charitable objectives. best practice and ensuring that this freelance. He is due to become Master of Showground throughout the year. We have We know that, following the loss of information is available to our members. the Worshipful Company of Grocers in therefore made the decision to convert the Soul Survivor two years ago and now the One organisation with which we have 2019 and will bring a different perspective existing cheese hall on the ground floor moving of New Wine, there is much to do been involved for many years is the Royal to our activities. into a new 500 seat restaurant, served by to replace this lost income, although we Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Under the guidance of Rupert Cox, as new kitchens, and also to refurbish the are confident that this can be achieved, and I was delighted to be able to attend ever, the team has worked hard and never current facilities on the first floor. Working albeit it will take a year or two to do so. the 28th Commonwealth Agriculture failed to pull together to deliver a series of in conjunction with our current operators, However, good progress is being made and Conference in Edmonton this year with excellent shows. None of this would be Hayes Brothers, this will mean that we have the appointment of a commercial manager, my wife Celia. The Society was well possible without the support of our army of two restaurants available, which in turn will in the shape of Debbie Howarth, will represented, with Edwin White, a trustee volunteers as well, who are willing to give allow Hayes to target a much wider series provide added impetus. In the short term of the RASC and his wife Anna present, up their time to help the Society. To all of of events. At Main Show the intention is that our income will be reduced whilst we adapt together with five Next Generation them, an enormous thank you since without the upstairs will be used to host Sponsors to these changed circumstances, but in the delegates. Our policy is to provide bursaries them we would not be able to deliver the and Judges and Stewards in what should be long term we hope to emerge as a more to two Next Generation delegates and it many varied Shows and events that makes a first-class facility, making full use of the robust offering. was great to see former scholars being Arthur Jones (7) and Lilly Jesse (8) with their Southdown sheep this Society so special.

6 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 7 RUPERT COX CHIEF EXECUTIVE There are exciting developments £1m throughout the Society as Chief Executive Investment in the newly named Wessex Rupert Cox outlines in his report Pavilion for a state-of-the art building fit for a multitude of purposes

such as Innovation for Agriculture. A more detailed report on this exciting project can be found elsewhere in the Journal. As another year dawns, yet another major project moves swiftly to completion. Last year I announced the refurbishment of our tired looking restaurant and bar building and now it is nearing completion in time for this year’s Royal Bath & West Show. Main Ring in action The ambition of our Trustees never dims as they invest over £1m in the newly named Wessex Pavilion, that together with an investment from our catering partner means n last year’s Journal, I recalled the that we will have a state-of-the art building Tug of War presentation that I made to Trustees fit for a multitude of purposes that are during the recruitment process of a outlined elsewhere in the Journal new CEO back in the autumn of 2014. ItI is hard to believe that I have now been THE SOCIETY continues our long association with the innovating to remain at the forefront of with the Society for over four years and We continue to improve the governance RASC that this year featured not just these such industry events so look out for more in that time we have made great strides of the Society with, in the last two years, two beneficiaries, but three past recipients exciting introductions next October. in driving the organisation onward and a review of Membership, Council and who attended under their own steam. 2018 we welcomed back the triennial upward to make sure we are financially our committees. As previously reported Our Awards and Grant-giving Grassland UK hosted predominantly on secure, continually improve our iconic the two new committees, Audit and programmes are an excellent way in which neighbouring land with the support of Royal Bath & West Show, increase activity Charity, are both playing a crucial role in a small financial contribution can influence Roger Longman. A very wet winter and on the showground throughout the supporting Trustees to manage its affairs change or progress in a range of interests spring threatened the event, but the sun year and, most importantly, deliver the effectively. with just a few set out below: came out just in time for us to host a charitable objectives of the Society with The Charity Committee in particular, • The British Cheese Awards spectacular event in the second week of even more vigour. under the Chairmanship of Sir David Wills, • The British Cider Championships May. For 2021 we are looking to innovate The opening of our new Rural Enterprise continues to focus on our charitable status • The West Country Dairy Awards further with the potential to link to the new Centre at the start of 2018 gives us the much more overtly than it had in the past • The Environmental Youth Awards AgriEPI South West Dairy Development catalyst to deliver a unique service to rural with a budget to allow it to deliver our • Prince of Wales Community Awards Centre at the neighbouring Beardhill Farm businesses, with an emphasis on food & charitable objectives effectively. • The Golden Shears World Council where we could link ensiling with grazing. drink businesses. It is important that we During the year fourteen young people • Field to Food Education day remind all our various audiences that we have received grants or bursaries totalling for 1,300 8-11 year olds TRADING ACTIVITY are a charity set up for the encouragement £11,500 to support their education in • The Royal Bath & West Art Scholarship Our Showground continues to be one of and improvement of agriculture, agriculture or other land-based skills, • The Royal Bath & West Long Service the leading events venues in the South manufacture, commerce and rural crafts which includes two, Victoria Look and Sam Awards West, with approximately 800,000 visitors and to further remind ourselves that for the Tincknell, who received bursaries to attend • The Academy of Cheese attending a whole host of events. We seem 75 years of our existence between 1777 and the RASC Conference in Edmonton. This • The Dairy Vet of the Future Awards to witness every hobby imaginable at some 1852 we drove the rural agenda through the stage throughout the year from motor promotion of innovation without hosting an SHOWS AND EVENTS cars to motor homes & camping; from agricultural show. I believe that 240 years Elsewhere in the Journal you will read about religious rallies to all-night raves to the later we can and should be doing both as the success of our three Shows in 2018 BMX national championships; from home A bright we work with a range of delivery partners under the leadership of Head of Shows, build shows to antiques and collectors Alan Lyons. The reputation of the Royal fairs – you name it, it comes to the Bath Bath & West Show continues to rise across & West Showground. A small team of THE OPENING OF OUR NEW the Show community and general public, two now led by our new Commercial and while attendance at the 2018 Show Enterprise Manager, Debbie Howarth, are RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTRE AT did not quite meet our heady expectations, responsible for earning a million pounds of THE START OF 2018 GIVES US it was still an excellent Show delivering revenue from non-Show activity with 2018 THE CATALYST TO DELIVER A healthy financial results – something that having only five weekends when nothing future not many Shows manage to achieve. happened on the Showground. UNIQUE SERVICE TO RURAL The Dairy Show continues to thrive, even As can be seen in the events report, 2019 BUSINESSES, WITH AN EMPHASIS at a time when the industry is consolidating could be challenging, but we are looking at in both the supply of milk and the rest a more contemporary schedule with more ON FOOD & DRINK BUSINESSES. Farmhouse Cider Judging Pig young handler winner Emily aged 4 of the supply-chain. We need to keep live comedy and music planned.

8 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 9 A conference and tour in Canada gave an enlightening and £11,50 0 valuable insight into the global direction of farming and Given as grants or busaries to 14 young people to support their education in how we can learn from our Commonwealth counterparts, agriculture or other land-based skills as bursary award winner Victoria Look reveals.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT With such a large footfall, the Showground YOUTH ON THE needs ongoing maintenance and refurbishment. After a barren period of investment, the last four years has seen a commitment to invest £350,000 a HOOF IN CANADA year in our estate and infrastructure to George Eustace MP at the CLA Breakfast make sure that when visitors come to the Showground they are proud of what they RASC CONFERENCE 2018 Victoria Look and Sam Ticknell see and have the facilities to meet their expectations. • The European Federation of Agricultural We support both the training days and Due to the major capital investment in Exhibition & Show Organisers annual conference with four members am Tincknell and myself were the Wessex Pavilion, we will have to rein (EURASCO) where I represent the of staff attending the conference in both very lucky to have been in some of the “nice to do” expenditure in Society and where two previous CEOs, Southampton, hosted by the New Forest granted the opportunity to attend 2019 but see this as very much a temporary Tony Uloth and Simon Firth had been Show team. the Royal Agricultural Society of measure as it is vital that we keep Secretary Generals. I attended the • Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF theS Commonwealth (RASC) bi-annual improving our facilities whenever possible. annual gathering at Borgeby, Sweden – and now includes FACE) is represented conference with the support of The We continue to invest heavily in paint! which saw the election of a new by the Society by two younger members Royal Bath and West Society. This year’s Simple, but effective, and I hope that President, Anne Marie Quemener from of staff who are showing an aptitude conference was held in Edmonton, when you visit the Showground you will SPACE near Rennes, France to support education. We have hosted Canada, during November 2018. appreciate the results of our labours. • Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) whose two events (one for teachers and one for We took the opportunity to attend the founding board includes Robert Drewett farmers) to help delegates understand pre-tours before the start of the conference. INFLUENCE as a Trustee. In 2018 we hosted two the value of the countryside and farming These were well planned and varied, The Society influences at a national and events on the showground with IfA and to the education curriculum. and we received excellent hospitality. international level with an emphasis they also attended the Dairy Show. The different visits allowed us to gain an on agri-education through the Show • Society of Chief Executives of Shows Finally, as always it would be remiss of insight into Canadian farming, as well as community as well as politically through (SOCES), being a collective of the Chief me not to mention the dedicated Staff everyone’s passion for the industry and the government consultations through Executives of the largest Royal Shows who support the Society to achieve its differences in the challenges they faced. Robert Drewett Chairman of the Society and his wife Celia with Will Streatfeild, Anna-Clare organisations such as: and showgrounds. We hosted the annual aspirations. We have welcomed several A McDonald’s burger processing plant, Seymour, Edwin White, Victoria Look, Will Hyde, Sam Ticknell and Emily Craven. gathering in January 2018 with the 2019 fresh faces in the last four years many with a brewery and a goat dairy farm which • The Royal Agricultural Society of event being held at the Royal Welsh a much younger smile than most of us. processes its own milk and cheese, were the Commonwealth (RASC) where Showground. A third of our staff are under 30 years of just a few of the amazing places we visited. both Edwin White and Will Hyde are • The Association of Show and age and nine have worked for us for over Sam and I were particularly interested in people from across the Commonwealth Trustees. The 2018 Conference in Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) 10 years with three for over 22 years, so the family businesses, who showed great WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE allowed us to learn about issues facing their Edmonton was also attended for the first that has Paul Hooper as Secretary youth and experience advantageously passion for their sectors. ROYAL BATH & WEST SOCIETY countries or communities, which made us time by our Chairman, Robert Drewett. and Alan Lyons as our representative. intertwined. The first two days of the conference were realise that even in today’s online world, Last year we celebrated 40 years of Paul focused on the Next Generation. Talks FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT we still aren’t aware of many things. It Hooper’s employment with the Society. He and information were combined with ice AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO was also of note that delegates interpreted has now taken the decision to wind down breaker games to get everyone involved. REPRESENT THEM AT SUCH A presentations in different ways, hence a little by asking to work three days a week One speaker of note was Prof David prompting further discussion within groups with the 2020 Royal Bath & West Show Hughes whose presentation was entitled ‘Is PRESTIGIOUS CONFERENCE. of attendees. We had some lovely evenings likely to be his last. The Society without food making the world smaller?’. His topic organised by the RASC for us which was Paul’s day-to-day contribution will take knowledge was outstanding, as he has delightful and very enjoyable. We all had some getting used to, but when the time travelled all over the world to learn about The main conference highlighted to us the pleasure of meeting HRH The Princess comes, we will all wish him well for the how produce use varies and the value of that innovation, progress and sustainability Royal at the conference. future – but not before we have a right royal different joints of meat in different areas. are the main aspects needed to drive To end our trip to Canada we participated party to say “Thank You”! agriculture through into the future, to ensure in the post conference tour which included that people survive if/when there is a food a trip to an agricultural show and machinery shortage or crisis. Further, that we are show called AgriTech. We also went to FINALLY, AS ALWAYS IT WOULD prepared to get the most out of all produce three different beef farms in the North West BE REMISS OF ME NOT TO and to reduce food waste across the world. of Canada which showed us how farming MENTION THE DEDICATED All of the speakers throughout the can be extremely challenging with the conference were very knowledgeable extreme weather conditions, especially in STAFF WHO SUPPORT THE and inspiring. Following on from their the winter months. We would like to thank SOCIETY TO ACHIEVE presentations we were able to have good The Royal Bath & West Society for all their ITS ASPIRATIONS. healthy discussions with our conference support and the opportunity to represent Experiencing the food and drink colleagues. Meeting other likeminded them at such a prestigious conference.

10 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 11 JESS CHIPLEN SHOW TEAM ADMINISTRATOR Our favourite things were the sheep shearing, lambs, One thousand two hundred 7 to 11 year olds visited the showground in April for the third annual Field to Food and the huge machines! Learning Day as Jess Chiplen explains. THE YEAR 5 & 6 CHILDREN FROM FARRINGTON GURNEY C OF E PRIMARY

Jules Turner’s British Blue Cow © Shannon D’Arcy

Will Hyde teaching the children about Sheep Shearing

upils from primary schools across the West Country enjoyed a DELIVERED AS PART OF hands-on insight of farming and THE ROYAL BATH & WEST food production, which included: What came first? The chicken or the egg? OF ENGLAND SOCIETY’S Dan Wood, Traditional Free Range Egg Company meetingP farmers and their livestock; getting up close to farm machinery; trying their CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES, hand at butter-making with Wyke Farms; FIELD TO FOOD WAS CREATED putting sheep through an MOT with TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE Miss Higgins was impressed by the level of Shepton Vets; milking the Hurdlebrook organisation. “For the children to get the Guernseys. ABOUT FARMING AND most out of their day it’s so important that Delivered as part of The Royal Bath FOOD PRODUCTION IN the event is well organised and Field to & West of England Society’s charitable Food certainly was. It all ran so smoothly.” objectives, Field to Food was created to ENGAGING WAYS. Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of The educate young people about farming and Royal Bath & West of England Society, food production in engaging ways, and was emphasised the importance of illustrating devised in collaboration with educational and appreciation of farming and food the link between farming and food, and specialists to ensure that it satisfies aspects production, and this event provides the how the event has quickly become a crucial of the National Curriculum. perfect vehicle to do just that.” date in the Bath & West calendar: “The The activities on offer are designed to Mark’s colleague, Richard Griffiths Field to Food education day has become Hundreds of children illustrate how the food and drink that they added, “Today was a real success! The an integral part of the Society’s work in consume arrives on their table. All the children were all so enthusiastic and informing and educating young consumers activities offered a variety of hands, eyes, responsive to the activities.” The year 5 about where their food comes from and ears and noses-on learning. & 6 children from Farrington Gurney C the hard work farmers do to make sure learn about farming on Mole Valley Farmers brought a range of E Primary were buzzing following their we eat the very best of British food. For of agri-technology appliances for the day at the Bath & West, “It was such a fun the children to be able to look, hear, smell children to check out, from cattle handling experience! We loved that we could get and get their hands dirty must be the most systems to EID devices. “We’re delighted our hands on the activities.” “The steward effective way to learn. For our volunteer to support the Field to Food initiative” said that guided us around was so helpful”, supporters that make the day happen it is the showground Mark Cox of Mole Valley Farmers “We “Our favourite things were the sheep also a great learning experience for them have a responsibility to make sure that shearing, lambs, and the huge machines!” as they get to hear what the next generation the next generation has an understanding The Farrington Gurney pupils’ teacher, of consumer thinks of farming and food.”

12 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 13 DAVID SEDGMAN CHAIRMAN OF GRASSLAND UK After the wet winter and spring, farmers were in need of tips and advice 50% 92% to remedy problems with their soil to maximise grassland productivity. On average, UK dairy farmers use just under According to a survey by Germinal, over 40% of dairy farmers 50% grass in the diet – but for every 10% point had shortened their cutting intervals over the past three years, Grassland UK came just in time as David Sedgman explains. increase above this, farmers will save 4p/litre in with 92% reporting better silage quality as a result. costs of production

President Mary Prior and her husband John learning about grass seed from Tony Walkers with sponsors Oliver Seeds their cutting intervals over the past three years, with 92% reporting better silage quality as a result. However, it’s vital to choose the right grass mixtures, and the new Recommended Grass and Clover List, launched at Grassland UK, featured a number of new varieties, including AberBann and AberSwan from the IBERS breeding programme. Oliver Seeds also launched a new multi- species grass mixture at the event, to meet increasing demand from farmers for species-rich herbal leys. “Multi-species swards have a lot of advantages over straight ryegrass leys,” said general manager Rod Bonshor. These include enhanced stress tolerance and persistence, with greater root mass and depth, and extended growth at both ends of the season. “The forage also has greater palatability, a higher Grassland UK Seminars trace element and mineral content, and some plants have anthelmintic properties which helps combat any worming problems.” For those interested in the physical aspects of silage making there was lots of GRASSLAND UK 2018 kit to choose from, from Fendt’s Katana forage harvester to John Deere’s new V400 variable chamber round balers. With more than 180 exhibitors across the 100-acre Ensuring a green & productive land site, working machinery demonstrations included SIP’s Air Swath 300F, which made its UK working debut and is designed to produce top quality silage, free from soil and stones. ccording to Calcifert consultant the high level of potassium in the soil from OPICO had the new HE-VA Grass Mark Tripney, who was speaking repeated slurry applications. This locks Rejuvenator, designed to over-seed in the British Grassland Society up magnesium, causing problems both and reseed leys, while in the muck seminars: “poor root development for the grass and the cattle. “Beware of demonstration area Vredo Dodewaard Grassland demonstration in full flow limitsA a lot of crops, so dig a hole. Do you the antagonisms which might be on your demonstrated its self-propelled VT4556 feel the spade resisting and at what depth? farm,” warned Mr Tripney. And test the soil TEBBE spreader and VT7028-2 liquid Are there worms? The spade is a great tool for more than N, P and K. “Around 60% slurry machine. “People are investing in kit now while under 50% grass in the diet – but for every for saving money and for targeting nutrients of grassland is short of calcium, which is Massey Ferguson enjoyed significant the milk price is good,” he said. “Ahead of 10% point increase above this, farmers and machinery use.” essential for the structure of the soil and for interest in a variety of new equipment – Brexit, they are using this opportunity to will save 4p/litre in costs of production, he There was plenty of equipment on cell development in the plant.” and William Judge, head of UK and Ireland invest while they know they still have added. But while it’s important to reduce display at the event, offering farmers a wide Supplying sufficient nutrients for the noted an upbeat feel among dairy farmers. the budget to do so.” external costs like concentrates and fuel, it’s choice for relieving soil compaction, from crop is, of course, essential, and it’s vital However, LIC’s Piers Badnell – who vital to view labour as an investment. subsoilers to aerators. “I think aeration is a to get on with aftercut fertiliser as soon as wrapped up the event in the final seminar “Good staff and attention to detail are great tool which is under-utilised,” said Mr possible after taking the first cut of silage, OLIVER SEEDS LAUNCHED A of the day – warned farmers to create a the keys to every efficient business,” said Tripney. “It removes the thatch of grass on said Graham Ragg, senior agronomist at lean, efficient business to survive post Alan Lyons, head of shows at the Royal the soil surface, which prevents nutrients Mole Valley Farmers. “You lose 2% a day NEW MULTI-SPECIES GRASS Brexit. “Volatility is here to stay and every Bath & West Society. “But it’s also vital for from getting down into the soil profile, and in second cut yields for every day you delay MIXTURE AT THE EVENT, TO business needs to make a profit under those staff to keep up-to-date with the latest opens up compaction, enabling roots to putting on fertiliser after taking first cut,” he MEET INCREASING DEMAND all eventualities,” he said. The UK has a advice, technology and ideas. There was grow down to find those nutrients.” explained. “So if you wait a week you lose climate suitable for grass growth, so farmers plenty of each on offer at Grassland UK and While many farmers make great use of 14% or about 1t/acre.” FROM FARMERS FOR should be making more use of that to cut we were delighted to see so many people manure to reduce fertiliser applications, one According to a survey by Germinal, input costs. turn out at what is always a busy farming John Deere demonstrates its big baler! SPECIES-RICH HERBAL LEYS. concern – particularly on dairy farms – is over 40% of dairy farmers had shortened On average, UK dairy farmers use just time of year.”

14 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 15 ANTHONY GIBSON OBE TRUSTEE

John Billingsley won a famous ploughing match 231 years ago and was His influence, through the Bath & West, a visionary whom the Bath & West helped to leave an extraordinary was truly transformative, and has imbued the legacy for the farmers of the county as Anthony Gibson explains. principles of the Society ever since.”

John Billingsley

early minute books, his name appears, usually associated with some project or THE RESULT PROVED TO BE experiment that he had both conceived and A TRIUMPH FOR BILLINGSLEY meticulously carried through. He was originally appointed to the AND THE BATH & WEST. ‘Manufactures Committee’, although by now he had already decided to invest his profits from the wool trade in creating Meanwhile, Billingsley’s farming his own farm. The very first edition of the enterprise was growing almost as fast as Society’s Letters and Papers, published in his reputation, eventually reaching some 1780 includes an “Account of the Culture 4,000 acres. So it was no surprise when the of Carrots; and thoughts on burnbaiting* on Government’s Board of Agriculture decided Mendip Hills” (Burn-baiting was a method that he was just the man to conduct the of land reclamation involving cutting and Somerset section of the national Survey of burning the turf, before returning the ashes Agriculture which they were supervising. to the soil). Billingsley poured all of his energy, cherish today was very largely the work of This was based on what we would imagination, experience and, it must be one man, John Billingsley, although even now call a trial on his farm at Ashwick, said, occasional disdain, into the project. he could not have achieved even half of which returned a yield of carrots of 8 The result was a minor masterpiece, what he did, without the backing of the tons/acre, and a profit of £6/acre – the published in 1794, covering virtually every far-sighted landowners and scientists who equivalent of £1,023.75 at today’s prices! aspect of Somerset’s farming and rural made up the Bath & West of England Other contributions would follow on economy. Amongst much else, it sets out Society. the profitability of cereals and cabbages, detailed recommendations for the draining One further Billingsley paper deserves feeding pigs on potatoes and, one of his and enclosing of the Somerset Levels, mention. In 1805 he published an Essay on THE MAN greatest enthusiasms, “The backwardness recommends the creation of a settlement “The Utility of the Bath & West Society”, of West Country farmers to use the at Simonsbath on Exmoor, as the hub of which concludes, perhaps not surprisingly, Norfolk plough”. another reclamation exercise and provided that it had been a powerful force for The plough in question was a ‘drill- the first blueprints for how the reclaimed good, whilst bemoaning the attitude of WHO CHANGED plough’, which sowed seed as well as commons of Mendip should be farmed. the many farmers “who hold this and turning over the sod, and his desire to see it Which brings us nicely onto perhaps similar establishments in utter contempt, more widely adopted was one of the main the most lasting mark which Billingsley ridicule their proceedings and seize every SOMERSET FOREVER reasons why Edmund Rack, a Quaker from has left on the landscape of Somerset. He occasion to manifest their disapprobation Norfolk, had founded the Society in the first followed up the ideas put forward in his and dislike”. He goes on to relate how place. When Rack died in 1787, Billingsley “Survey” with an “Essay on the Cultivation he was approached by one such cynical took on his ploughing mantle, designing a of Wastelands”, published, of course, by the agriculturist who said he had been “thinking double-furrowed version which was put Bath & West Its scope was not confined to about whether the Society has done good to the test in a ploughing match organised the Mendips but that was its major focus. or ill”. f all the distinguished farmers across Europe, philosophers and scientists work and self-denial chimed very well with by the Bath & West at Barracks Farm, on In his Survey, Billingsley had estimated that “Have you”, replied Billingsley, “why, and agriculturists who have were arguing that progress depended on a community whose economy, even in the the outskirts of Bath, in March 1787, just some 11,600 acres of Mendip’s 25,000 then, you may rest assured that it has been associated with the Bath empirical analysis, rather than religious eighteenth century, was built more around a month after Rack’s death. Six plots of acres remained to be enclosed. In both done good”. “Why?” rejoined the farmer. & West over the past 241 belief, folklore or plain old-fashioned manufacturing and industry – woollens, ‘strong ley ground’, each of about an acre, the Survey and his Essay, he sets out what “Because it has led you to think, who Oyears, none has left a bigger mark on the mumbo-jumbo, as had tended to be the coal and the famous Oakhill Stout – than were marked out for the six contestants, might be termed ‘a serious farmer’s guide seldom thought before.” landscape of Somerset than John Billingsley, case previously. Ally that philosophy to farming. John Billingsley’s father was the each of whom was using a different to enclosure on the Mendip Hills’. There is Quite a man, was John Billingsley. By the of Ashwick Grove. thorough experimentation, the keeping of local Presbyterian Minister. Beyond that, combination of plough, oxen and horses. robust advocacy of enclosure in principle, time of his death in 1813, he had gained I have written before of Billingsley’s role detailed accounts and a belief in the virtues not much is known of his early life. But we Two dropped out almost immediately, guidance on how to go about obtaining not just a national, but an international in the drainage and enclosure of the Levels of enterprise and sheer hard work, and you do know that it was in the woollen trade then Lord Weymouth’s plough was broken an enclosure act, and then detailed, reputation as an agricultural improver, he and Moors. But his influence spread much had a recipe, if not quite for an ‘agricultural that he made his fortune and his reputation. by a large rock lurking below the surface, carefully costed plans for creating either the was owner of one of the biggest breweries wider than that. Besides the green grid-iron revolution’, as has often been claimed, but And he must have done so remarkably to leave only Billingsley, Farmer Sully of drystone walls or quickset hedges which in Europe at Oakhill, and had extensive of the Levels, we also owe to Billingsley – certainly for a rapid and remarkable rural quickly, given that, at the age of just 30, Midford and Mr Thomas of Keynsham, would border the new fields, plus ideas on interests in coal, canals and the woollen and the Bath & West – the classic Mendip transformation. he was one of the distinguished ‘gentlemen in the field. The result proved to be shelter-belts and ponds and even designs trade, as well as those 4,000 acres. His farmscape of four square farmhouses, John Billingsley was a local man, born and noblemen’ invited to the meeting a triumph for Billingsley and the Bath for farm houses and farm-workers’ cottages. influence, through the Bath & West, was drystone walls, shelter belts, broad fields in 1747 at Ashwick Grove, just off the at York House in Bath on September 8, & West. His plough, drawn by six oxen Burn-baiting, which depleted the soil’s truly transformative, and has imbued the and shallow ponds. And beyond even Fosse Way, north of Shepton Mallet, where 1777 at which the Bath & West of England (another Billingsley enthusiasm) completed nutrient content, was to be abandoned, in principles of the Society ever since. that was the impact that he had on what his family had lived for the best part of Society (as it became), was founded. the task in three hours four minutes, a full favour of ploughing. Within 40 years or so, With sincere thanks to the Society’s we might call the ‘philosophy’ of farming. a century since moving from Kent. The He wasn’t actually there at the meeting, two hours quicker than Farmer Sully and his vision had become a reality, with all but Honorary Librarian, Dr Tom Rogers of Billingsley was emphatically a child of Billingsleys were dissenters; specifically but he was soon making his influence his horse-drawn single furrow plough, a few hundred acres enclosed and farmed. the University of Bath, for his help in the ‘Age of Enlightenment’, in which, all Presbyterians, whose emphasis on hard felt. On page after page of the Society’s with Thomas a half hour further behind. The Mendip landscape that we know and researching this article.

16 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 17 TOM ROGERS HON LIBRARIAN BRIZA MEDIA Associated text and Common Quaking-Grass illustrations from Kine like this grass very well, nor does it make bad hay; This year is a significant one for the Royal Bath & West of England Society Library. and as it will thrive on poor, wet, and cold land, ought not Katy Jordan, who has been the Honorary Librarian for 13 years, has retired. In this Sole’s book of grasses totally to be rejected. It grows on the wet grounds about Wraxall abundantly. article, Tom Rogers introduces himself as the new Honorary Librarian and reflects upon the work and role of librarians in caring for the Society’s library. PAGE 26 ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM PAGE 38 ANTHOXANTHUM Sweet Spring-Grass BRIZA MEDIA, ODORATUM, This grass, like the rough Cock’s-Foot, is always to be Common Sweet Spring-Grass found in flower pastures that are well stocked, which leads Quaking-Grass (Sole, W., n.d.). me to conclude, it is not over-relished by cattle in general; (Sole, W., n.d.). and therefore not deserving the great character which some authors have given of it, merely on account of its fragrance; which, perhaps, is the very reason why brutes reject it; since we see that sweet-meats pall our appetites, instead of affording nourishment. It also affects poor, sandy grounds; and is found very Change at the sparingly in our rich pastures about Laycock, Melksham, and Chippenham; but abundantly on the sandy soil of Spy-Park, Wraxhall, and our poor land under the Sham- Castle, and the two Starve-Alls. Yet it might do very well, sown in the ratio of one-eighth. For though we Society Library cannot dine on sugar, yet it has its use. FESTUCA FLUITANS Flote Fescue-Grass This is a most excellent grass, and what cattle are so uring her tenure, Katy built fond of, as often to endanger their lives at getting at it; upon the work of previous as it always chooses water with a miry bottom to grow Librarians and made the in, therefore cannot be cultivated. It is to this grass we are indebted for our fine Cottenham cheese; the land important contribution of a all round Cottenham, in Cambridgeshire, abounding collectionD management policy. She has with this grass. Mere and Cheddar cheeses, also, owe done much to reshape the library into a their fame, in great measure, to this grass. This is the Dedication page from The history and antiquities PAGE 66 ‘special collection’ fit for today. She has Maddington long grass of Mr. STILLINGFLEET. It grows of the county of Somerset (Collinson, 1791). FESTUCA plentifully in the moors under Cheddar, Glaston, Mere, also worked hard to ensure the collection’s FLUITANS, Flote &c.; we have it ditches and ponds about Bathwick and inclusion in the University of Bath Library Fescue-Grass Lyncombe, &c.—See No. 7, 96, and 97. catalogue, making it more accessible to term can also be applied to collections of (Sole, W., n.d.). researchers, society members and members specific association, types of material (e.g. of the public. Her work has brought manuscripts, research notes), used for a stewardship of the library into much clearer particular purpose or that have an identity REFERENCES alignment with the interests and heritage of greater than the sum of its constituents. The information about the collection available Participation. Earlier in my career, I worked the Society, to focus upon “the agricultural Bath & West collection certainly has items to people across the world. in manufacturing industry and academic Bryant, P., 2005. The Library and and rural history of the West of England” of significant age and rarity and it most From a Librarian’s perspective, the Bath research. My university education began Archives of the Royal Bath & West. (Jordan, 2007). certainly has a profile and relevance all of & West Library is such a highly enjoyable with a degree, in industrial technology and Katy has written a number of articles its own. and interesting collection to work with. management, and subsequently moved into Collinson, J., 1791. The history and for the Society journal highlighting the There are elements of science, commerce, learning technology and digital media. Title page from The history and antiquities of DEVELOPMENT OF THE antiquities of the county of Somerset. content of the library and role of the the county of Somerset (Collinson, 1791). rural life, history, art, personal experience Like my predecessor, Katy Jordan, I am Honorary Librarian. Perhaps the most BATH & WEST COLLECTION and archived data that gives it a unique proud to have roots in the West Country. My Cullingford, A., 2011. The special memorable of these is her article on the In a very real sense, the history of the character. This compact library demands family ties are primarily to Devon. I grew up collections handbook. relationship between the Society and LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANSHIP Bath & West Library parallels the history an appreciation of antiquarian books, living in a Plymouth suburban estate, among Major John Norton, Teyoninhokarawen the The expertise that librarians build through of libraries. Its early history, from the academic and industry research, history the community of people who moved there Hudson, K., 1982. A short history of Mohawk Chief (Jordan, 2005). During her their professional careers can be traced 1770s, has been described by Kenneth and culture of the West of England, and the during post-war reconstruction of the city. I the Royal Bath & West and Southern research, she tracked down a painting of back to the early histories of libraries. The Hudson (1982) and Phillip Bryant (2005). interests of the Society. It is fascinating to am from a family with close ties to the city Counties Society. Teyoninhokarawen (Williams, c.1804), development of ecclesiastical, scholastic, The library has grown from the initial be able to open and read an 18th century and its industry. A significant part of which Jordan, K., 2005. The Mohawk chief, once owned by the Society, and now in national, public, and large private libraries purchase of 16 books through acquisition survey of Somerset complete with list of is the three generations, and many decades, the lost portrait, and the Bath & West. the Canadian War Museum. provided initial models for the organisation of additional works and the Society’s subscribers (Collinson, 1791), see Sole’s spent in the employment of a Plymouth I have had the pleasure of working with and management of publications and own publishing activities. The story of unique hand illustrated book of grasses structural engineering company. I also have Jordan, K., 2007. Bath & West Library Katy on a number of small projects within information. Technologies for printing, the collection from 1958 when Peter (Sole, n.d.), read Bath & West journals and links with North Devon via the near-mythic Collection Development Policy. the Bath & West publication and communication enabled Pagan and Phillip Bryant started to rescue letters, or discover more about the region’s status, given by my mother’s family, to the Library. What I increasing quantity and diversity of the collection from a period of neglect historic orchards (Russell, 2007). village of Goodleigh. It is a place that I Russell, J., 2007. Man-made Eden: will miss most information to become available. In demonstrates the expertise required can trace back an ancestral line of several historic orchards in Somerset and is her depth of response, librarians have had to address for the care of a library containing rare A NEW HONORARY LIBRARIAN centuries. It is where my grandfather grew Gloucestershire. knowledge of new challenges for the care, classification, and antiquarian books. Initially, this My involvement in the Bath & West Library up and also where family members returned the collection, cataloguing and organisation of collections work involved cleaning, restoration and came by way of my personal interests in to escape the Plymouth blitz. Sole, W., n.d. An account of the its history, and to make information searchable and rebinding of books, manual cataloguing history and a short course in antiquarian I am delighted to follow on from Katy principal English grasses. how to look after accessible. The care of older publications of the collection, environmental care, and rare books librarianship. Jordan as the Honorary Librarian. I look it. She will be a that have social and historical significance and making it accessible to its intended I first became a University of Bath forward to working with the Library Williams, S., c.1804. Portrait of Major hard act to follow demands additional knowledge and skills. users. The more recent integration of print Library staff member in 2010. I am Subject Committee and to taking care of the library. John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen) and we all wish Sometimes the term ‘special collection’ catalogues and indexes into the University Librarian for Computer Science and I hope that I will be able to share the deep [Painting]. her well in her is synonymous with the age, value or rarity, of Bath library management system and Mathematical Sciences and Liaison Librarian interest and pleasure I find within it with as Katy Jordan retirement. of library materials (Cullingford, 2011). The web pages now makes those records and for Learning Partnerships and Widening many people as possible. Full details of the above publications are available from the Hon. Librarian.

18 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 19 ALAN LYONS HEAD OF SHOWS

Alan Lyons shares some highlights from the Royal Bath & West Show 2018, the largest event in Somerset this year.

ver 50 hours of entertainment was on offer each day at this Full steam ahead AS THE FALLOW YEAR FOR year’s Royal Bath & West THE GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL, Show. A full schedule of Odemonstrations, judging and interactive WE STEPPED IT UP A GEAR activities were available across all four days IN THE PILTON TENT. providing fascinating insights into British farming and rural lifestyle. The judging of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and more could be viewed throughout the show, with over the largest event taking place in Somerset 10,000 competitive entries in total. There this year. was also plenty of opportunity to see and As the fallow year for the Glastonbury meet the animals, including some less Festival, we stepped it up a gear in the common breeds such as Hackney horses, Pilton Tent with BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards a native breed that is under threat, and the winner Sam Kelly headlining the Pilton Tent Otterhound, one of the most endangered on the opening day of the Show. Popular British dog breeds. West Country Bands The Leylines and This year’s Main Ring attractions included Noble Jacks, both of whom have previously show jumping, inter-hunt relays, private played at the Glastonbury Festival, also driving, Pony Club Games, the Grand joined us along with the Bristol-based Parades of prizewinning livestock and the Imprints, who were a huge hit. Glastonbury unforgettable Farmers Big Ball Challenge. Festival founder Michael Eavis said, 2018 also saw us up our technology “I’m glad to see that the Pilton Tent is so game with the introduction of a new App. successful. After wandering around the This helped visitors take full advantage show for a few hours, there is no better of their time at the event. Our four-day place to sit, rest, eat some food and extravaganza is not only one of the biggest listen to some really good music in this agricultural shows in the country but also beautiful tent!”

A band’s eye view. The Pilton Tent on Friday night of show.

The 2018 Royal Bath & West Show was a …there is no better place to sit, rest, resounding success, truly living up to its eat some food and listen to some really billing as the celebration of Great British good music in this beautiful tent!”

Agriculture, Entertainment, Food & Drink. Ladies Cart competitor and MICHAEL EAVIS Groom in the Main Ring

20 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 21 TONY ULOTH FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE For so many he 10,000 100 Former Chief Executive, Tony Uloth, pays The judging of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and The Show hosts over 100 food and drink 2019 tribute to the man who was the voice of was truly the “Voice more could be viewed throughout the show, with exhibitors, the vast majority of whom THIS YEAR’S SHOW the show for more than 30 years. of the Bath & West.” more than 10,000 competitive entries in total. come from the West Country. TAKES PLACE 29TH MAY TO 1ST JUNE

his success as he did it and even the flight of Concorde over the main ring, through to the Pony Club games. It was for these latter that he showed his great talent for engendering excitement and competition so that anyone watching who possibly had never seen a pony before wanted to share in the spectacle.

WE WERE LUCKY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WAS SUCH AN ASSET OFF DUTY BUT WHO ALSO GAVE THE SAME PROFESSIONALISM, SKILL, All the entrants in the Dairy team challenge TALENT AND ENTHUSIASM THAT HE PRODUCED AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES TO SO MANY ASPECTS, High quality food and drink is always a key focus of the Royal Bath & West BIG AND SMALL, OF OUR Show, with an impressive artisan food SOCIETY’S EVENTS. offering located around the Pilton Tent and inside the ever-popular purpose-built food hall marquee. Together these host For all these events and displays Mike, as over 100 food and drink exhibitors, the the true professional, had always done vast majority of whom come from the his homework extremely thoroughly and West Country. Chief Executive Rupert Cox was able to keep his audience informed, said, “Promoting regional food & drink interested and often on the edge of their has become a key driver for the Show. It THE MAN seats. This was particularly true in the cattle demonstrates the clear link between the lines. As a dedicated cattle breeder himself producer and consumer, serving to educate (in his latter years he was a champion for and inform our visiting public on where Kobe beef) he was able to get amongst their food comes from and the challenges WITH the animals and judges with his roving microphone, a superb interpreter of the intricacies of judging cattle and livestock in general. Off air, as it were, he joined in with all Jodie Lane with her Huacaya, Paula Windsor with THE MIKE the stewards’ parties and his great sense her Suri, rare grey and Ed Billingham with his Huacaya of fun lead him to play many jokes on people (such as putting a teddy on his fellow commentator’s bed in the stewards’ that both the farmer and producer face in Another Somerset producer, Harrys Cider f last year’s show felt strange for some horsey circles but he came to be a familiar hut area just before our Royal Vice-Patron getting food ready for the plate.” from Long Sutton, took home the Fruiterers’ people it was because we had suddenly voice to hundreds of thousands of visitors came to inspect them) and he had many The Royal Bath & West Show was Trophy for Champion British Cider. lost our senior main ring commentator, to the Show as well as televised equestrian jokes played on him. During a water fight once again host for the British Cheese Mike Tucker, who died unexpectedly events. the American human cannon ball man, Awards and British Cider Championships, onI his farm in Gloucestershire. From 1984 until 2017 it was Mike’s voice spotting the commentator from the glass- highlighting the national significance of In the early 1980s Raymond Brookes- that accompanied all our big main show fronted main ring box shouted ‘Get the this regional show. These two prestigious HIGH QUALITY FOOD AND Ward was so good at his job as our main competitions and displays with its authority, little guy from the booth’. We were lucky competitions attract some of the best DRINK IS ALWAYS A KEY FOCUS commentator that it seemed an impossible warmness, enthusiasm and humour, to find someone who was such an asset quality produce in the country, with task to replace him with someone of equal be it show jumping, show classes, the off duty but who also gave the same hundreds of entries each. This year’s overall OF THE ROYAL BATH & WEST calibre. Luckily his last act before heading magnificent stock parade, fly pasts of geese professionalism, skill, talent and enthusiasm Supreme Champion for the British Cheese SHOW, WITH AN IMPRESSIVE to Hickstead was to recommend a man escorted by a micro light, a man fired from that he produced at the Olympic Games 6 year old Jessica watering Mr & Mrs Flora, Awards was won by White Lake Cheese, ARTISAN FOOD OFFERING. who we came to love and admire. Mike a cannon, dancing diggers, riding Desert to so many aspects, big and small, of our Frankie Dubbery and Alex Stevenson from Pylle, with their Sheep Rustler. Tucker was not that well known outside Orchid around the ring and talking about Society’s events.

22 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 23 ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW SELECTION OF 2019 THIS YEAR’S SHOW TAKES PLACE CHAMPIONS 2018 29TH MAY TO 1ST JUNE

Any secret or tips? We always keep radios CUDDY QUALIFIER on around the cattle for their benefit, more than ours as it gets them used to a variety Simon Charlesworth of music, and hence noises. Having small children visiting is always an added bonus! The horse’s name is Triple Crown and he Winning is not It is also helpful to take all show cattle for was shown by myself, Simon Charlesworth. a number of ‘trips’ out in the stock box, He is produced by Steve Pitt and Vicky an easy thing to do as before they ever go to a show. Smith and owned by Martin Wood. He there’s been so many went through to the Cuddy as the Sport What does it mean to win? To win the Horse Breeding Champion very famous show Interbreed was something we never horses over the years dreamed we would do. Doncombe Madhu How long have you been competing? has proven to be our ‘secret weapon’. Since the age of three and now I’m 35. that have won it.” CHAMPION BEEF Why do you do it? To demonstrate the I was bred into showing as my Mum and Blonde breed to people who, without Dad worked in the industry when I was David Knight showing, would have no knowledge of it. It FOLLOWING ON FROM young. My mum was an excellent rider also allows us to stand shoulder to shoulder How do you prepare? You have to get to have a ridden career. We also spend a lot OUR INTERBREED WIN AT and won at all the major shows. She was The Doncombe Herd began in 1985 with with the numerically more popular breeds. champion at the Royal International Show the condition and the muscle in the of time walking on the roads and keeping the purchase of our first pedigree heifer. How do you prepare? We are constantly THE ROYAL BATH & WEST when I was 4. My dad is Alan Charlesworth correct places. They have to learn to carry them going forward and looking through Both Sue and myself are from non-farming looking for new genetics to mix and match SHOW DONCOMBE MADHU who also produces horses and was in the themselves properly and make the most their bridles. backgrounds so we didn’t expect to end with our cows to create the show team of Cuddy against me at the Bath & West. of their paces. I spend hours standing my What was it like to win? Winning a ALSO TOOK THE OVERALL up with a herd of 100 breeding cows plus tomorrow. The short list for the following We’re regularly against each other. I was horses up and teaching them exactly where Cuddy qualifier is always special because followers. year is usually put together by mid-summer INTERBREED AT THE THREE champion at HOYS nearly ten years ago in I want their feet, their neck and their heads. it’s essentially a supreme of show with a How long have you been competing? the previous year and is, at this stage, quite COUNTIES SHOW. the Cuddy final with a Hack broodmare. Any tips? We spend a lot of time mouthing great depth of quality animals that deserve We started showing 14 years ago with extensive. The management and halter My dad was reserve champion with a riding them properly so they have soft mouths, to be in that qualifier. There’s a lot of history one young bull. These days we take out training of this (hopefully) elite crew tends pony. No other family have achieved that which for a top horse I feel is essential, to the Cuddy as it goes to HOYS and only We are still pinching ourselves today… anything from two to 20 in our show team. to get more targeted as we near Christmas. before or since. especially a young horse that has to go on 22 qualify in the country.

Why do you do it? animals fit and on form for the big day. BRITISH LIMOUSIN To help promote our TEXEL & OVERALL INTERBREED How do you prepare? We select the What did it feel like to win? It’s a herd and breed. It’s great fun and has It takes lots of hard work, determination SHEEP CHAMPION sheep for showing early in the year, tremendous feeling, especially after all of Nick, Lisa, Archie a massive social side to it. The family and dedication. feeding correctly and dressing the sheep in the hard work before and during the show. all really enjoy meeting similar-minded Can you share any secrets or tips? readiness for the show ring. The preparation “A real buzz” and sense of pride to achieve and Lottie Hill people. We are all quite competitive and We have absolutely NO secrets. Watch Paul & Christine Tippetts work varies with the different breeds. For the Overall Supreme Sheep Champion, How long have you been showing/ thoroughly enjoy that aspect of showing. and learn! Any other achievements? We also won example, with Texels you are allowed to especially as our exhibit was homebred. Strong friendships have also been formed competing? I’ve (Nick) been showing for 38 What did it feel like to win? The Royal Bath the Beltex Champion and Blue Texel wash and colour the sheep, but not to throughout the time we have exhibited years, Archie has been showing for 10 years, & West show is very special to our family Champion at this year’s show. trim them. across the country. It’s also a great Lottie has been showing for 9 years. as it is our local and County show. We are How long have you been showing/ Can you share any secrets or tips? Watch opportunity to always overwhelmed to receive any prizes competing? We have both been showing and learn from other exhibitors, especially compare our animals but winning Interbreed Championship over a number of decades now. Paul comes those who are consistently gaining major like to like with other titles with groups of cattle is extra special, from Highbridge, Somerset and has been prizes and top awards. Don’t be afraid to exhibitors. especially at your local County show. attending and exhibiting at the show since ask for advice. Always be willing to learn What does it takes Winning the Exhibitor Bred Pairs, Group of he was a teenager. something new. to prepare for a 3 and Group of 4 was absolutely amazing! Why do you do it? Showing is a show show? It’s all in the Lottie also won her young handlers age window for people to see what we are breeding. You can’t group which was the intermediates and then breeding and therefore is a great form of make a silk purse went on to claim Overall Champion Young promotion for our Wilodge and Hackney out of a pig’s ear! Handler. This was an extra special win as flocks of pedigree breeding sheep on farm. (if you’ll excuse Lottie has now qualified for Stockperson of It’s also an opportunity to spend time with the expression, the year competition in December! fellow breeders and other farmers and to pig exhibitors). socialise with like-minded people. Preparation begins months ahead of WE WERE AN INCREDIBLY the show: training HAPPY CAMP BY THE END hair growth, halter training, keeping the OF THE WEEK!

24 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 25 Left to Right: Nigel Bardon, Michael Leech, CHAMPIONS 2018 Roger Longman, Juliet Harbutt This is the pinnacle of all awards in my opinion, particularly here in our cider county.”

HARRY FRY HARRY’S CIDER COMPANY Below: Jake Sayer with Denmans Cracking Touch of Red

CHAMPION CHEESE FIRST CLASS Roger Longman Whitelake Cheese How long have you been competing? Since 2002 Why do you do it? It’s great to get feedback on how good current cheeses and new products are. It’s a good way of getting product in front of buyers from supermarkets and wholesalers who judge. It’s also rewarding for the team when we win. It’s useful to see what other products are out there and how they are judged. How do you prepare? Make sure the cheese looks its best and is mature enough. Its good to try and get to the dinner in case you have won something as well as meeting people in the cheese world. Also ensure soft cheeses are runny and not hard but not too ripe. Can you share any secrets or tips? If entering small cheese make sure there are three in case the judges like it and eat too much so not enough left CHAMPION DAIRY for supreme champion judging. AYRSHIRE SENIOR COW IN MILK, What was it like to win? The Best night of my life and a testament to BREED CHAMPION AND DAIRY our fantastic team that got us there. INTERBREED CHAMPION Jake Sayer Left to right: Michelle Hall, Mark Coreth Chairman of Art, Tanya Archilleos, Annie Fry, Paul Hooper Society Secretary and Terri Hogan HM Sayer & Son with cow Denmans Cracking Touch of Red SCULPTURE CHAMPION ART ART PAINTING CATEGORY How long have you been showing/ competing? Since I was 10 years old. Michelle Hall Annie Fry Why do you do it? I enjoy showing off our best stock, increasing our herd’s popularity, and How long have you been competing? I have been entering work for the Bath & West show for the last eight years seeing friends that we only see through the show Since 2012 and I was thrilled to win 1st prize in the painting category having been season. highly commended once before. Why do you do it? It’s a great opportunity How do you prepare for the show? Show cows to show my work at a popular event. I have How long have you been showing/competing? I retired from teaching art are fed very well! The majority of the clipping is John Warner of The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers presenting to Toby Fry, been going to the Bath & West Show since nine years ago and have been developing my own artwork since then. done at home. At the show they need washing Harry Fry and Alison Chapman representing Harry’s Cider. I was a child, I love seeing all the animals. Why do you do it? I have had a lifelong interest in art, since I won a and keeping clean. I also need to keep them How do you prepare? Every year I like competition in the Eisteddfod when I was 15 which gave me the confidence eating as much as possible. to enter my most recent work. I have to that it could be more than a hobby. It is now closer to an obsession and, CHAMPION CIDER THE SPECIFIC CLASS FOR What was it like to win? It was amazing to win, make sure I have the sculptures ready well being dedicated to developing my craft, I am to be found in my studio THE DABINETT WAS THE SINGLE VARIETY CIDER CLASS particularly with this cow – she was our first in advance of the show. I started working most days. ever breed champion back in 2015 at the South on the Black Rhino Sculpture in 2016 after What does it takes to prepare for a show? The work that I enter for Opens Harry Fry Harry’s Cider Company West Dairy Show and is the only remaining cow visiting the Black Rhinos at Chester Zoo. and Competitions comes from a steady process of painting and drawing we have that we can trace back to our original Any tips? Be yourself, know your subject throughout the year, I paint in oils which I find a very versatile medium and How long have you been competing? Five years breeding. well and make a good armature. I love colour. I work from what I see around me but became fascinated by Why do you do it? We believe we make the best cider, and we want to What was it like to win? At first disbelief, face and figure work and the challenge of painting flesh during my time in share it with cider lovers all over the West Country. I had to listen to my answer phone message teaching; I paint from people I know but also take commissions. How do you prepare for the Show? Plenty of planning, marketing and I enjoy showing off our several times to make sure I hadn’t made Why did you enter? Art needs to be seen and appreciated by the public promoting of the brand. We make our pitch stand out from the crowd. best stock, increasing our herd’s a mistake! Then I got very nervous and rather than being in storage or on the artist’s walls and competitions and Any tips? Show your passion for what you sell. Help people to believe in popularity, and seeing friends excited. openings enable this to happen in accessible settings. the product. What was it like to win? Awesome! This is the pinnacle of all awards in my that we only see through the opinion, particularly here in our cider county. show season.”

26 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 27 Stewards Q&A

What is the most enjoyable aspect? MAUREEN TROTT Meeting so many interesting Chief Steward people and seeing families enjoy themselves at the event. of Livestock

Why do you do it? JOE MERCHANT Length of Service at the show: I love the challenges associated I was employed by the Society with works, you never know what Chief Steward in 1974 as Head of Livestock presented prizes in the Main is about to happen next, plus the What is the most challenging of Poultry and aspect of it? and Entries and left after eight Ring Cattle Parades. opportunity to work and meet so Shows and the first Dairy Show. many dedicated people who put small animals The public. I then with my husband What is the most challenging the show together. aspect of it? Length of Service at the show: What is the most enjoyable aspect? exhibited British Holstein Getting the balance right How did you become involved? The pressure. cattle and then became a 2 years between Society and Exhibitors. I initially assisted Fred Kent on the steward of Dairy Cattle. Why do you do it? horseshoeing section where he Age (at the time of the 2018 show): The fun of it. Age (at the time of the 2018 show): What is the most enjoyable aspect? RICHARD ASH was Shoeing Foreman. A couple 27 64 Exhibitors saying they will see of years later, I was invited to Chief Steward of Works Profession when not at the show: How did you become involved? us next year having had an join the Shoeing and Wrought By keeping poultry, having Profession when not at the show: enjoyable Show. Ironwork Committee by David Plumber experience and being close by. I farm a livestock farm in Length of Service at the show: Wainright then Chairman and Why do you do it? Where you live: partnership with my husband 42 years Chief Steward of the show. It gets me off the farm. We all Lydeard St Lawrence What is the most amusing thing and son. My role is taking care to happen to you while stewarding work as a team to one end and Age (at the time of the 2018 show): What is the most amusing thing of the records and accounts. What does your stewarding job at the show? you actually see the end result. to happen to you while stewarding 68 entail both before and during the Winning nearly everything in Where you live: at the show? How did you become involved? show? 2018. I live in a small village Profession when not at the show: Too many to mention! Organising exhibitors and called Lovington. By being employed by the Leading UK manufacturer of What are the show highlights Society and loving the job What are the show highlights other exhibitions. Looking after horseshoes supplying the industry for you? I was doing. for you? livestock. What does your stewarding job with everything associated with Show Champion and Best Eggs. entail both before and during The Shoeing and Wrought Iron hoof care nationally and globally. the show? What is the most amusing thing Section of course, but the whole Pre-show I check all dairy and to happen to you while stewarding Where you live: show itself. There is something for at the show? beef cattle entries, send out all everyone and it just keeps getting Barton-St-David, a small village livestock tickets with a couple I steward the British Saddleback better and better every year. near Glastonbury. of other stewards and put up Pigs and it really is very all the livestock rosettes. So, amusing. I once had some big What does your stewarding job any mistakes with rosettes are sows in the ring and the table entail both before and during with all the prizes on seemed the show? usually mine but there are not many. to be a great attraction, they Working with a wide team of kept trying to get underneath it people throughout the year to During show I seem to act and taking the table with them. ensure that the grounds and as a link between the cattle In the end two pig exhibitors utilities are in good working order exhibitors and the Society watching picked up the table and the showground is in great office and try to sort out any every time a sow came near it. shape leading up to the main mistakes, whether it be ours or show and during the year. the exhibitor, to ensure smooth What are the show highlights running of classes during show. for you? What is the most challenging I take entries during show for I would recommend watching aspect of it? various classes and oversee the the pig judging as a highlight of Dealing with the unexpected, Team Challenge Competition, the livestock section. namely the weather, power cuts whilst younger stewards run it. and blocked loos! I also lead out the cattle to be

28 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 29 ALLEN COTTON VICE PRESIDENT

Arthur Allen was one of the pioneers of British Friesians and lived right on the doorstep of the present show ground. Allen Cotton tells his remarkable story. HOW A GREAT BREED WAS BORN

rthur Allen was born just two business, his father decided to sell up and up a number of horse teams supplying was held at Salisbury in 1920 and Arthur miles from the Bath & West let the farm. This left Arthur without a role. timber to the gold mining companies that ARTHUR’S FIRST PURCHASE sent two Friesians, one of which received Showground at Chesterblade Being young and energetic he decided he had been set up in the outback. WAS A SHORTHORN COW a Commended card. By this time, he was into a long established dairy must go abroad although he wasn’t sure as By 1903 he again grew restless and WHO, WHEN SHE CALVED, beginning to be well known in Friesian farmingA family, the only boy in a family to where. New Zealand and Australia were decided it was time to come home to circles and he decided that he must buy a of three children. His father, Joseph, had his favoured destinations and the latter, Chesterblade. The tenant of the home HAD TRIPLETS, ALL OF WHOM very well-bred bull to improve the herd. what could be described as expensive because of having an uncle already there, farm had died and he persuaded his father DIED AS DID, SUBSEQUENTLY, Times were good in farming and prices to be a very poor sale. The cattle only hobbies: building houses and cottages as was the final decision. And so, in 1893, that he was able to pay the rent if he THE COW AS WELL. were high. After some serious negotiation averaged the same figure as had his well as palatial farm buildings. He also had at the age of 19, Arthur started out on an allowed him the tenancy. The executors he bought a very young bull calf from a shorthorn herd in 1916 but, even then, a reputation for resorting to the law over adventure that would shape his life for the of the late tenant continued to farm until NOT A GOOD START! breeder, Horace Hale, in Sussex, for 300 this was considered to be one of the best many little disagreements he had with the next ten years and possibly beyond. late 1905. Arthur again found himself at gns. This animal, he maintained, was the pedigree sales held that year. local community. These, and a series of bad Arriving in Australia in their springtime a loose end so he decided take a tour of making of the GLEN herd. Later in the year The farm was then let, Banks was offered seasons and ill health, nearly bankrupted he first tried farm work but decided the Britain on his bicycle. This took him as gradually making their mark in the country, he held a very successful herd reduction the tenancy of a small adjacent farm, but him. So much so that when Arthur had left pay would never make him the fortune he far north as Aberdeen by way of the Lake Arthur decided to purchase a few. The first sale where he averaged nearly £200 for declined it, and Arthur and Ethel, his wife, school in 1892 with every hope of coming came to seek. He then had a short spell District returning through Lincoln and ones coming in 1913 consisted of a bull each animal. It was around this time that retired to a house called “Mazemoor” in home to work, and later take over the working on the building of the first jetty at Oxford, taking in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee calf, a dun and white yearling heifer and Stanley Banks came to work for Arthur, the near-by Evercreech. This they re-named Esperance in Western celebrations in London before coming back two dun and white heifer calves. In those beginning of a long partnership. “Banks” “The Glen”. This house, following Arthur’s Australia but it was to his beloved Somerset. It was while in days the breed could be both black, as was the son of an artist and he brought death aged 91 in 1967, was, firstly, when he started to Scotland he was so very captivated well as soft brown Dun, and white. The this skill to the breeding and showing of converted into an hotel and is now a deal in and transport by its beauty that, when he started recessive red colour was not welcome as it Arthur’s cattle. BUPA Nursing home but still named supplies for the newly to breed pedigree cattle, he named too closely resembled the colour of the old In 1922 onwards, cattle were shown at after Arthur’s herd of cattle. developing gold it the “GLEN” herd. traditional breeds. In 1914 he bought six most of the major shows, gaining a First mining industry that Arthur’s first purchase was a shorthorn more, milking cows this time, at an average at the Bath & West at Plymouth in that he really prospered; cow who, when she calved, had triplets, all price of 16 gns. each, and he continued to year and at the Royal Show in Cambridge even selling water at of whom died as did, subsequently, the cow add to the herd, buying another six cows at where he showed the Reserve champion 1/- a gallon from the as well. Not a good start! After that things a sale by Miss Guest at Inwood in Somerset in the breed. With the Bath & West being stills he had set up looked up and by 1913 he was running in April 1916. along the road from a herd of 90 Shorthorn cows, all hand From these initial purchases he was the coast to the gold milked. Generally speaking, one person rapidly expanding the pedigree cattle, by TIMES WERE BAD IN FARMING fields. usually only milked a maximum of 10 cows now known as British Friesians as opposed AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY By 1897 he felt able at any one session. At that time milking to Holstein Friesians. There was hostility to come home for a machines were just beginning to be made to anything German during the war. In WAS VERY UNSETTLED DUE holiday. Leaving his available and, after some investigation, he 1916 Arthur made the decision to sell all TO THE SITUATION IN EUROPE. business in capable purchased one from a company in Castle his Shorthorn cattle and, in November of hands, or so he Douglas, Scotland, the first one in this part that year, he held a sale, 143 cattle in all, thought, he was away of Somerset. with the milking portion averaging £33.00 held around the country his cattle got used for 10 months. Seeing the attraction of the higher each. From that point on Arthur attended to travelling. For instance, they won the On his return he yielding capability of the Holstein cattle, pedigree sales around the country paying Female Championship at Torbay in 1930, a discovered that, in anything from 45 to 60 gns. each. At that Reserve Championship at Oxford in 1933 his absence, mainly time the only method of getting the cattle and in 1936 they even ventured into Wales. as a result of much ON HIS RETURN HE home was by means of the railway network. Eventually, in 1938, it was decided to reduced transport DISCOVERED THAT, IN HIS The nearest station to Chesterblade was two retire from milk production and a farm sale rates, his business had miles away at Cranmore and the animals was held at Chesterblade. Times were bad collapsed. There was ABSENCE HIS BUSINESS were walked home from there. in farming and the whole country was very nothing for it but to HAD COLLAPSED. With the Bath & West Show suspended unsettled due to the situation in Europe. start again. He built due to hostilities, the first show after the war The outcome was what Arthur considered

30 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 31 ALAN LYONS HEAD OF SHOWS Seeing such a wide scope of international visitors attend A successful Dairy Show saw visitors join us from all over the world, as the Dairy Show highlights both what other countries have to lan Lyons shares his highlights. learn from us and what they can bring to the table.”

6,000 visitors joined us this year

Dairy Show Supreme Champion, A H Wilson & Son

This year we welcomed visitors from Future also took place at the show, with Ireland, USA and Canada along with trade four newly graduated vets competing for stands showcasing their products from this prestigious award. First place went all over the world. As well as attracting to Catrin Davies from the University of livestock entries from across the UK, the Liverpool, for her dissertation on the Show also has a history of esteemed judges challenges of Johne’s disease in the current attending from far and wide. Bringing economic climate. The judges commented people together from so many different that though the dissertation threw up countries allows for better knowledge more questions than it answered, it also transfer and connections. It’s not only an highlighted some research that indicated honour to host such a diverse number of there may be a way of stopping the effects guests and traders, it’s also part of the multi- of the disease. Second place was jointly cultural and multi-national world we live in, awarded to the other three entrants, Holly something that farmers can sometimes be Hills; University of Nottingham, Henry isolated from. Miller; University of Cambridge and This year, the supreme championship Rebecca Dodd, University of Nottingham. competition resulted in a tie-break between Despite the uncertainties ahead, what the reserve and honourable mention really shone through at the Show was the Emily Davis, Interbreed placements. As a result, Blaise Tomlinson positivity of producers and businesses, Showmanship Champion was called upon to decide the final placing. with so many developing and growing Taking the supreme championship was A H apace. There was a good mix of young and Wilson & Son, with their homebred Jersey experienced farmers at the Show and they Tregibby Panama Tequila, sired by Tower are optimistic about the future. Everyone Vue Tequila and bred by the exhibitor. wants a successful industry. The UK’s largest Dairy Show welcomed visitors he dairy industry is a vital part of “I’m over the moon,” said Hefyn Wilson, from near and far with guest, Trade Stands agriculture in the UK, with world “It’s like Christmas day”. The honourable and Judges coming from all over the world. class farmers pioneering new mention was awarded to Brian Miller of technology, genetics and practices RK & SG Miller & Sons, for his homebred THIS YEAR WE WELCOMED –T something which draws in interest and Holstein, Moorshard Pepper Marie, sired trade from all over the world. To grow as an by Delarberge Pepper. Brian Miller had also VISITORS FROM IRELAND, USA industry, it is vital that we share ideas and won the interbreed pairs championship. AND CANADA ALONG WITH learn from one another and seeing such a Reserve Supreme went to A H Wilson & TRADE STANDS SHOWCASING wide scope of international visitors attend Son with their British Shorthorn, Cotonhall the Dairy Show highlights both what other Absolute Joy, sired by Apples Absolute and THEIR PRODUCTS FROM countries have to learn from us and what bred by R Kite. ALL OVER THE WORLD. they can bring to the table. The awarding for the Dairy Vet of the

32 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 33 JAMES BARDWELL COMPETITION STEWARD

The Dairy Vet of the Future competition saw four newly graduated vets compete for this prestigious award, as James Bardwell explains.

his competition was conceived nearly seven years ago by Peter The Dairy Industry Vet Clark, a very well known vet in the Shepton Mallet area, and closely connectedT to the Society, with the idea of encouraging the current year’s veterinary graduates to speak about their dissertations of the Future Award and give us their views on the future of the dairy industry and their role within it. The five universities offering Veterinary degrees – Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Nottingham, and the Royal Veterinary Dairy Show 2018 James Bardwell, Competition Steward, Judge & Sponsor Helen Stebbens College in London – are invited during May to put up to three students each to enter the from Micron Bio and Judge & Sponsor Richard Greasley from For Farmers competition which takes place at The Dairy Show in October. The entrants then send their written work to the Society where it is judged via email by a panel including Peter, representatives from our sponsors, For Farmers and Micron Bio Systems, and also a judge from the Royal Bath & West Society itself. At this stage, we are looking for originality, clarity and relevance to current issues within the dairy industry, to use as the benchmarks in order to reduce the numbers to one or very occasionally two graduates from each university. On the day before the Dairy Show, the candidates are invited to the Society’s offices for interview, prior to attending the Dairy Dinner in the evening and the Show the following day. The panel of judges then meets each graduate for between 30 and 40 minutes for an in depth discussion about their thesis, their time at university and the reasons that they decided to specialize in large animal practice, and dairy in particular. For the 2018 Award, four DIVF Winner Catrin Davies from the University of Liverpool candidates were chosen for interview, Holly Hills and Rebecca Dodd from Nottingham, Henry Miller from Cambridge and Catrin Davies who studied at Liverpool. emissions of dairy cows using a laser people. Catrin’s conclusion was that despite Holly investigated the factors affecting methane detector. Rebecca studied the much short term study, there are so many foot block retention in lame dairy cows associations between milk yield and unanswered questions at the moment, that which included a study of the effects of disease in UK dairy cows – a broad subject, considerable benefit would be gained from temperature on different types of glue used covered in significant depth. These three studying the disease for a much longer to hold the blocks in place. Henry looked individuals were runners up this year, and period of time, which might then enable us at the managemental and environmental each received an engraved glass and a to control or maybe even eradicate Johne’s factors which influence breath methane cheque for £200. disease in the future. Catrin was awarded Our winner was Catrin Davies who the winners engraved glass vase and a looked at the challenges of Johne’s disease cheque for £1,000. WE ARE LOOKING FOR control within the current economic There was an encouraging enthusiasm ORIGINALITY, CLARITY AND climate. This is particularly relevant today and confidence in the future of the dairy as there is increasing evidence that there industry from all the graduates and the DIVF finalists Holly Hills from University of Nottingham, Rebecca Dodd from University of Nottingham, RELEVANCE TO CURRENT ISSUES might be an association between Johne’s judges responded with equal confidence in Catrin Davies from University of Liverpool and Henry Miller from University of Cambridge WITHIN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. disease in ruminants and Crohn’s disease in the future of the dairy veterinary profession.

34 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 35 EMMA CORR INNOVATION MANAGER Official opening of the Rural Enterprise Centre The Rural Enterprise Centre is a major development on the showground that in January 2018 fulfils and demonstrates the Society’s continuing and growing commitment to its charitable purposes as well as supporting local businesses expand their operations.

The Centre is able to offer an excellent commercial venue for external clients to A BUILDING FOR host meetings and events, whilst giving the Society the opportunity to support and collaborate with local rural businesses THE FUTURE through its innovation programme, thus fitting the Society’s ethos. Since the official opening of the Rural Enterprise Centre on 25th January 2018, there have been many activities and events, including the creation of the Food & Drink Business Network, a Royal visit and the opportunity to work with a range of delivery partners, helping the Society to achieve its aspirations of facilitating rural economic development. The creation of the Bath & West “Food & Drink Business Network” has demonstrated A full Conference Suite the need to provide tangible business support for existing and emerging small food & drink businesses. Throughout the year we have created an easy access inclusive price, the 3-phase powered, high platform for the network to gain information specification kitchen has more than 8m² on useful events, business support and of worktop preparation area and offers an funding opportunities, as well as offering extensive range of catering equipment. discounted access to various workshops In March 2018, Society staff, and the Rural Enterprise Centre’s new representatives from the Food & Drink Development Kitchen. Business Network and the Showground’s In support of the new network and to tenants welcomed our Vice Patron, HRH complete the final piece of the jigsaw of The Countess of Wessex, to visit the newly the building, the Development Kitchen refurbished Rural Enterprise Centre. The (part funded by the Heart of Wessex Local Countess was invited to unveil a plaque to Action Group) was officially opened at commemorate the visit. A few weeks later, the 155th Royal Bath & West Show by the we welcomed press and some key special Society President, Mary Prior CVO MBE. exhibitors of the Royal Bath & West Show President Mary Prior CVO MBE and HRH The Countess of Wessex visit the Rural Enterprise Centre The space provides small food & drink 2018 to the exclusive preview, where the businesses the opportunity to grow and line-up for the Show was announced. he new Rural Enterprise Centre increase productivity, without the need to Working with Farming & Wildlife is part of a £550k refurbishment invest in purpose built premises. Available Advisory Group (FWAG), we held a Soils networking events such as; the Business project, transforming our former to hire on a daily or weekly basis for a fully Conference, to help farmers understand the Insider South West Food & Drink Breakfast, Society office building into a impact of poor husbandry on their land and the Somerset Chamber of Commerce modernT and flexible facility. Education, how better soil management can improve Mendip Business to Business Dinner, the knowledge transfer and business growth THE CENTRE IS ABLE TO OFFER the financial results of their business as celebration of International Women’s Day is at the heart of the centre, providing the AN EXCELLENT COMMERCIAL well as contributing to a more sustainable with Somerset Business Agency, Western perfect venue for individuals undertaking VENUE FOR EXTERNAL CLIENTS environment. Later in the year, we were Daily Press Food and Farming Awards Working with Wiltshire College to provide Professional Development Courses knowledge transfer projects, rural pleased to welcome Neil Parish MP who Breakfast, The Food & Drink Business workforces gaining vocational knowledge TO HOST MEETINGS AND discussed how Brexit and the proposed Network’s Peer to Peer Tasting Event, and skills and micro food and drink EVENTS, WHILST GIVING THE Agriculture Bill might impact farming and our first Marketing Workshop ‘Bring Your businesses looking to expand and grow. SOCIETY THE OPPORTUNITY TO the rural business community. Both events Brand To Life’ (in collaboration with SOAP EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND BUSINESS GROWTH Five main visions led to the creation of were funded by the People’s Postcode Creative) and bookings in the Development IS AT THE HEART OF THE CENTRE, PROVIDING THE PERFECT this facility: to provide commercial work SUPPORT AND COLLABORATE Lottery as a part of the Hills to Levels Kitchen from The Academy of Cheese, VENUE FOR INDIVIDUALS UNDERTAKING KNOWLEDGE space; to provide hot-desking/flexible work WITH LOCAL RURAL BUSINESSES project. for the Level 1 Certification in cheese space; to create space to host a variety Looking back over the Centre’s first year making and small-scale manufacturing for TRANSFER PROJECTS, RURAL WORKFORCES GAINING of meetings and conferences; to create a THROUGH ITS INNOVATION of operation, it is rewarding to see that our local start-up food businesses. All of these VOCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND MICRO FOOD commercial kitchen for training, small scale PROGRAMME, THUS FITTING aspirations are being met. The centre has activities support rural businesses as well as AND DRINK BUSINESSES LOOKING TO EXPAND AND GROW. manufacturing and commercial catering THE SOCIETY’S ETHOS. four fully-occupied offices, an extremely helping the Society to achieve its charitable and to become a hub for rural businesses. busy calendar of various business and objectives.

36 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 37 RUPERT COX CHIEF EXECUTIVE ALEXANDRA WARRINGTON SOCIETY SCHOLAR

Progress update on the Alexandra Warrington recently completed a one-year MSc in refurbishment of our 500 seater Food Chain Systems at Cranfield University with help from a Bath restaurant from Rupert Cox & West grant. She explains how her fascination with the subject took her to Africa and the establishment of a pilot insect farm. WORK IN Insects could be a food of the future Conducting aflatoxin testing The transformation is in full swing PROGRESS had decided to study an MSc as I the opportunity to visit farms and factories wanted to develop my technical FOR MY THESIS, I WANTED with interviewees who gave up their time knowledge of food production and TO USE MY RESEARCH to assist with my research. My final report supply, building upon my project and presentation prioritised the options for managementI experience in agriculture TO HELP AGRICULTURAL Afri-Oils in accessing both regional and gained in the international development BUSINESS IN AFRICA. European markets. sector. I chose the Food Chain Systems I haven’t had much time to celebrate the MSc as it provided a critical appreciation of end of my studies, as I began a new job the issues concerned with the production After completing the taught modules, at the Soil Association in Bristol, barely and supply of safe food in the modern I then began my group project, alongside a week after completing my degree. In world. I wished to utilise the experience four other students. We developed a my new role as Standards Manager I am to particularly look at ways to address sustainable food and beverage procurement helping develop the organisation’s organic food quality and safety issues of global strategy for Cranfield University, using standards and ensuring their credibility food supply chains, whilst ensuring their evidence-based recommendations for through robust governance, accountability economic and ecological sustainability. change. We reviewed and evaluated and collaboration with stakeholders. I feel Through the integration of scientific, product certifications (organic, fair trade, privileged to be working with colleagues technological and managerial factors, I MSC, etc.) and assurance schemes who are as passionate as I am about finding learnt how to use food resources more against environmental, social and animal and promoting sustainable food production ork is well under way on a saving in the Show’s catering costs. efficiently to achieve higher quality welfare criteria. We also carried out a and supply chains to feed our growing £1.2m refurbishment of the Somerton-based Edgar Builders have BRANDED THE “WESSEX and safer food production as well as literature review of life cycle analysis food population. restaurant facilities at the been commissioned to carry out the PAVILION”, TO RECOGNISE THE successfully understand and manage food inventories to evaluate GHG impacts of One such sustainable solution which Bath & West Showground. refurbishment that will be opened in May supply chains. The modules I studied current food procurement and compare had emerged from my thesis research was WTrustees of the Royal Bath & West Society 2019 in time for the Royal Bath & West SHOWGROUND’S REGIONAL included: Plant Based Food Quality, Food against scenarios, including changing the establishment of a pilot insect farm at signed off the expenditure in partnership Show. The professional team supporting INFLUENCE THE VENUE WILL Diagnostics, Postharvest Technology, Food to organic, local and seasonal produce; the Malawian groundnut processing plant, with in-house caterers, Hayes Catering Ltd the project is made up of Della Valle HAVE THE FACILITIES TO HOST Safety, Food Quality Management and and reducing meat consumption. These with the insects fed on the contaminated on the new facility that will cater for 500 Architects from Shepton Mallet, project Certification, Management for Technology, prioritised changes were incorporated into groundnut meal. As the aflatoxin does not people dining on the ground floor and management from Randall Simmonds of LARGE WEDDINGS, AWARDS Food Supply Management, and Agrifood a new Sustainable Policy document and accumulate within the insects, they are safe 350 on the first floor making it the largest Wells and Beveridge Chartered Structural DINNERS, BLACK TIE EVENTS Business Innovation. an Action Plan, which we presented to the for further processing into food and feed, dining and conference space in Somerset, Engineers from Street. Going back to studying after being in procurement team. Hopefully some of the thus removing aflatoxin from the human North Dorset and West Wiltshire. We are delighted to be working with AND CONFERENCES. full-time employment for more than seven recommendations will be followed in the food chain. My idea was shortlisted in a The investment is the latest phase of a Edgar Builders who have an excellent years was challenging, particularly when new academic year. competition to win $15,000 seed funding major overhaul of the showground that has reputation for delivering quality work in having to manage my own time to complete For my thesis, I really wanted to draw and, alongside five other finalists, I attended featured the conversion of the old society often difficult environments and have a forward to working with them for many assignments. I also worried about my lack upon my international development the 19th International Union of Food offices in 2017 into a state of the art Rural proven track record for using top quality more years to come. of science background, having studied experience and use my research to help Science and Technology (IUFoST) World Enterprise Centre that has proved highly local sub-contractors which is important Work started on the refurbishment History and Politics at undergraduate level, agricultural business in Africa. Working Food Science and Technology Congress in successful during the year and has gone a to us. on 20th August 2018 with a scheduled compared to other students on the course. with Afri-Oils, a Malawi groundnut Mumbai. My five minute pitch was judged long way to placing the Society at the hub This is a major investment for the completion of 30th April 2019. The ground However, although I did find the food processor, my research aim was to identify to be innovative and impactful, and I am of rural enterprise. Society that will improve our facilities floor will increase in size by twenty per science modules more challenging than the economically viable markets for aflatoxin proud to say that I was one of the winners! Branded the “Wessex Pavilion”, to tremendously. The changing face of cent aided by the removal of four internal others, I was eager to learn and particularly contaminated groundnuts in Malawi, based I am now developing my pilot insect farm recognise the showground’s regional event management necessitates the pillars, a brand new elevated south-facing enjoyed the practical laboratory sessions. on safely processed products. I identified idea with a view to returning to Malawi influence and its Vice-Patronage by Her need to continually improve our offering entrance and sun terrace, all of which I think I was the only student to be excited processes such as crushing for oil and next year. Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, for the 800,000 visitors that come to will be complimented by a new kitchen about putting on a lab coat and goggles! subsequent refining to render the product In the meantime, I am excited to be the venue will have the facilities to host the showground to be entertained and bar area. The university’s links with industry drew safe, as well as treatments for the cake by- back in work and looking forward to large weddings, awards dinners, black by a range of fantastic events throughout The first floor, which can now be me to the course. Trips included visiting G’s product to include in animal feed. Early in experiencing my first British agricultural tie events and conferences the scale of the year. accessed by a lift as well as stairs, will farm in Cambridgeshire, National Institute June I undertook a ten day trip to Malawi show next year, which will of course be which have not been hosted in the Mendip Hayes Catering Ltd have done a great benefit from a make-over involving new of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), Syngenta to better understand the current process the Royal Bath & West show! I will be area before – while improving the dining job delivering catering requirements for windows and doors with the whole building and McDonalds’ headquarters. We also and to quantify the local markets for oil and stewarding so please come and say hello – experience at The Royal Bath & West Show the last eight years and with the help of being enhanced by a new heating, air- learned valuable insights from various cake. The support from the company was I promise not to talk about groundnuts that will also contribute to a significant their investment in the project we look conditioning and ventilation system. guest speakers. amazing and I am so grateful to have had and bugs.

38 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 39 RICHARD CALVER CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERPRISE BOARD

Outside events hosted on the showground continue to be a vital source of revenue to Bath & West Enterprises Ltd Events Truckfest South West returned to the Showground

We also look forward to welcoming back a large open-air music concert, subject to Enterprise Manager, Debbie Howarth, who 2018 Glastonbury Festival after its fallow year in licensing. has come in with the remit of freshening 2018. The showground is scheduled to host With so many back to back events up our offering to large event organisers 500 camper vans and motorhomes for the throughout the year there is a huge amount as well as strengthening our reputation as duration of the event with a 24-hr shuttle of pressure on both our infrastructure a business meeting venue, while looking bus taking them to the site together with and our team. The Events and Estates at how we can work in collaboration with thousands of revellers who are dropped off teams work tirelessly, alongside our Event promoters on bringing live music back to here before being bussed in to the Festival. Organisers, to ensure that the Showground the showground. Bookings for 2020 are already looking is turned around and is in the best possible strong with a new Christian group looking condition for the incoming event. The to host a camping event in August and we team has been enhanced during the year hope that either side of this we can host with the appointment of a Commercial

The West of England Game Fair

Main Stage at NASS Festival n 2018 there were only five weekends throughout the whole year when there IN 2018 THERE WERE ONLY FIVE was not an event taking place making WEEKENDS THROUGHOUT THE it another busy year. The regular events WHOLE YEAR WHEN THERE WAS suchI as Antiques Fairs, Flea Markets, Classic Car Auctions and other specialist collectors’ NOT AN EVENT TAKING PLACE events are intertwined with motor events, wedding showcase events and the vintage tractor show while some of the larger events like National Adventure Sports Show welcomed back Truckfest to great acclaim, (NASS) and the West of England Game Fair followed by the South West Motorhome demonstrate the versatility of the entire Show with both events attracting thousands showground. of visitors. The showground has a long history 2019 and 2020 look to be exciting years of hosting Christian camping events ahead for the showground. The newly through New Wine and Soul Survivor. refurbished Wessex Pavilion has already Unfortunately, Soul Survivor moved on in got some interesting bookings for next year 2017 and 2018 saw the last New Wine. with no less than three Awards Ceremonies This will have a challenging impact on in the pipeline and we will be hosting our our budgets, but will create opportunities first live comedy in the Showering Pavilion All night rave in the Showering to host more diverse events during the with Bath’s own Bill Bailey appearing on NASS transform the Showground into a skate park Pavilion for Westfest summer holiday period. To this end we 16th & 17th May.

40 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 41 Each year we work to bring new elements to the exhibition to make sure it captures the interest and imagination of our visitors.” KAREN WELCH WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION The Society Board of Trustees

JOHN ALVIS OBE RICHARD ASH RICHARD CALVER ROBERT DREWETT DL WPD team pictured receiving the Gold Award for Best Non Agricultural Trade Stand © Shannon D’Arcy

Visitors were also encouraged to enter a safety competition to win a Playstation 4. WPD-sponsored There was also an opportunity to meet WPD’s safety superhero Pylonman and to watch live safety demonstrations involving overhead lines and underground cables. competition is a WPD’s Karen Welch said: “Each year we work to bring new elements to the exhibition to make sure it captures the resounding success interest and imagination of our visitors. We MICHAEL FELTON MFH ANTHONY GIBSON OBE CATHERINE LOOK DR LANCE MOIR always strive to make it as up-to-date and as relevant to our visitors as we possibly can.”

he Royal Bath & West Society’s a safety poster themed on staying safe ever popular Children’s Art around electrical equipment. Each category and Design Safety Competition winner’s entry was displayed at WPD’s sponsored by Western Power award-winning exhibition stand – the EACH CATEGORY WINNER’S DistributionT (WPD) was a great success Society having presented it with its ENTRY WAS DISPLAYED AT at the 2018 summer show. Gold Award for Best Non Agricultural WPD’S AWARD-WINNING Hundreds of pupils from across the South Trade Stand. West submitted entries with this year’s Focusing on safety, customer awareness EXHIBITION STAND – THE overall winner 11 year old Maddie Rousell, and customer care, the stand proved to be SOCIETY HAVING PRESENTED winning £400 for her school Hugh Sexey very popular with the many thousands of IT WITH ITS GOLD AWARD Middle at Wedmore, Somerset. visitors who took advantage of its range of MARTIN THATCHER RUPERT ULOTH SIR DAVID WILLS BT ANGELA YEOMAN OBE DL The competition was split into three age hands-on activities. These included a new FOR BEST NON AGRICULTURAL categories. Youngsters were tasked with virtual reality experience around safety TRADE STAND. using their skill and imagination to design which attracted a huge amount of interest.

42 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 43 COUNCIL (CHIEF STEWARDS) COUNCIL (RETIRE 2021) SOCIETY’S REPRESENTATIVES ON Mr Ken Sutherland Chairman Mr Anthony Gibson OBE Mr Ted Allen DL Mr Richard Clothier GOVERNING BODIES AND COMMITTEES Mr Martin Thatcher Mr David Sedgman Stewards 2018 Association of Show & Agricultural Organisations: The Hon Mrs Mary Allhusen Mrs Alice Coombes Mr Paul Hooper OBE BATH & WEST ESTATES MANAGEMENT PATRON Mr John Alvis OBE Miss Emily Craven COMPANY LTD Golden Shears World Council: LIFE GOVERNORS OF THE Her Majesty The Queen Mr Richard Ash Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson CVO OBE KStJ JP Mr Alan Derryman Mr R. Cox Mr David Atkin DL RN Mr P.J. Hooper OBE (Company Secretary) VICE PATRON British Isles Shearing Competitions Association: ROYAL BATH & WEST OF Mr Jonathan Baker FICFOR. M.Arbor.A Cenv. MIfL Mr William Hyde HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO Mr Alan Derryman CHARITY COMMITTEE ENGLAND SOCIETY Lt Col Stephen Bartlett Mrs Catherine Look Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust: Mrs Alice Coombes JOINT PRESIDENTS Mr Patrick Biss Mr Peter Mitchell (*) = HONORARY Mr John Alvis OBE Mr David Cotton The Earl and Countess Bathurst Mr William Bougourd Mrs Anna-Clare Seymour Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth: Mr Les Davies MBE Mr A P Baker Miss Sue Bramble Mr Dick M Skidmore Mr Edwin White, FRAgS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr Anthony Gibson OBE Mrs C M Barrett (& HONORARY SHOW DIRECTOR) Mr Bob Chaplin Mr Martin Thatcher Somerset Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs: Mrs Catherine Look (*) Mr B R Bicknell Robert Drewett DL Miss Jane Cooper Mr Patrick Thomson Mr Martin Snell Mr Mike Pullin Miss R Burns Mr Mark Coreth Sir Barney White-Spunner KCB CBE VICE PRESIDENTS PERMANENT STAFF Miss Rosie Sage Mr J Carter Mr Les Davies MBE (* = WORKING VICE PRESIDENT) CO-OPTED COUNCIL MAIN OFFICE Mr Edwin White FRAgS (*) Mr P Clark BVetMed Certbr MRCVS Mr Alan Derryman The Countess of Arran (*) = WORKING Chief Executive: Rupert Cox Sir David Wills BT Chairman Mr M Cobb BSC CEng MIEE Mr Michael Barnes Mr Robert Drewett DL Sir Nicholas Bacon BT, OBE, DL Head of Shows: Alan Lyons (*) The Revd Canon H R Davis ENTERPRISE BOARD The Rt Hon Lord King of Bridgwater Mr Mike Felton MFH Mr John Biddulph Society Secretary: Paul Hooper OBE (*) Mrs R de Pelet BEM Mr Richard Ash The RT. Hon. The Earl Cairns CVO CBE Mr Nigel Hewitt-Cooper Mr Will H Bond Esq Financial Controller: Vacant (*) Mr J M Duffin Mr Richard Calver Chairman Lord Cameron of Dillington FRICS DL Mr Julius Longman Ms Amanda Burnside Special Events Organiser: Rachael Hann Mr C A Egremont Mr Rupert Cox Mr Angus Campbell * Mrs Emma Macdonald Mr James Cossins Trade Stands Manager: James Cox Mrs C Eyre Mr Robert Drewett DL Mr Lionel Clothier Mr Joe Merchant Mr Ivan Croad Society Administrator: Rachel Freestone (*) The Reverend T Farmiloe Mr Mike Felton MFH Mr Albert Cook Dr Lance Moir Mrs Sandra Ford* Somerset WI Assistant Accountant: Colleen Frisby (*) Mr G Fisher Mr David Gidney Mr Allen Cotton OBE * Sir Alexander Muir-Mackenzie BT Mr Haydn Garrett Trade Stands & Accounts Assistant: Lydia Westlake Mr J R Gibson Fleming DL Mrs Emma Macdonald Mr Michael H Dare Mr Patrick Palmer RT Rev’d Peter Hancock* Hon Chaplain Entries Officer: Sarah Jane Chick (*) Mr A Gibson OBE Dr Lance Moir Mr Arthur Davies TD * Mrs Denise Plummer Mr David H Hebditch Sponsorship & Promotions: Sophia Orttewell Mr D R Grandfield Mr Robert Peto Mrs Anthea Derby Mr Chris Rawlings Mr Mark Jeffery Marketing & Communications Manager: Mr J C Grandfield Mr Martin Thatcher Mr Michael Eavis CBE Mr Peter Reynolds The Hon. Sir James Leigh-Pemberton Jonathan Hall (*) J Hobhouse Mrs Angela Yeoman OBE DL Sir Henry Elwes KCVO * Mr David Sedgman Mr Alistair Martin* Duchy of Cornwall Marketing & Sponsorship Assistant: Zoë Purcell Mr St John Hooper Mr Paul Hooper OBE Company Secretary Lady Fellowes Mr Martin Snell Mr John Mortimer* CLA Show Team Administrator: Jessica Chiplen (*) Mrs P M Lawrence Lord Fellowes of West Stafford Mrs Rachel Stamp Mr Graham Nichols IT & Infrastructure Manager: Matt Johnson ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARD Mrs C Look Brigadier Simon Firth CBE Mr Stephen Stamp BEM Mrs Kit Pottow Innovation Manager: Emma Corr Mr Les Davies MBE FRGS * Chairman Mr H Mackenzie-Green Mr David A S Franklin Mr George Streatfeild Mr Luke Rake ESTATES TEAM Brigadier John Hemsley OBE, FRGS * (*) Mrs G Matthews MBE Lady Gass DCVO * Mrs Maureen Trott Mrs Melanie Squires MBE* NFU Estates Administrator: Kim Limb Mr Paul Hillard * Mrs J Merry Mrs Jill Gibson Mr Rupert Uloth Mr Johnny W Walker Events Co-Ordinator: Emma Anderson Major Andrew Horsey * Mrs J Osborne Mr Edward Gillespie OBE* Mr Noll Uloth Somerset YFC Estates Team: Rob Lomax (Estates Forman) Dr Peter Vile * (*) Miss V M Ovens Mr Tony Wilcox Mr Nicholas Hutchen * MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATION Jan Krajewski Major Gerry Webb * Mr J N Peters Mr Edwin White FRAgS * Daniel Tully COUNCIL (RETIRE 2019) ON COUNCIL FIELD TO FOOD WORKING PARTY Mrs J Pimblett George Eldridge Mr Michael Lyons * Mr Anthony Alexander BSC FRICS 2010 Mr Nick Allan, 1 Faraday House, Mr Joshua Fincham (*) Mr M Pow EVENTS TEAM Mrs Annie Maw * Mr David Batten High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1EZ Mrs Gemma Heal Dr D T Protheroe Tel: 01634 831191 Commercial Enterprise Manager: Debbie Howarth Mr Ian McNab BVMS MRCVS Commander Rupert Best DL Mrs Debbie Hicks (*) Mr R Quantrill 2008 Mr Roger Noble, Meadow Croft, Events Assistant & Catering Coordinator: Mr Anthony Pitt-Rivers OBE DL Mr Richard Calver Mrs Caroline Hinks Mr W S C Richards OBE DL Top Street, Pilton, Somerset, BA4 4DF Chloë Warren Mrs Norah Pow Mr M Rutherford Mrs Isabel de Pelet BEM Tel: 01749 890614 Mrs Catherine Look The RT. Rev’D Peter B. Price Mr Alastair Fitzgerald Mrs Sue Rawlings Mrs J M Rutherford Mrs Mary Prior * Brigadier John Hemsley OBE, FRGS CO-OPTED FOR 2018/2019 Mr Chris Rawlings Mr D J Saunders Mrs Ros Gough STANDING COMMITTEES Col. Sir Peter Redwood * Mr Neil Macdonald Miss Rosie Sage Mr P Saunders Mr Michael Cobb Mr Iain Russell Miss Eleanor Matheson of Matheson DL INCLUDING SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES Mr David Sedgman (*) Mrs M Shaw Mr Martin Alford OF THE SOCIETY The Marquess of Salisbury PC DL Mr Clive Snell Mr Rob Walrond Mr F K Showering BOLD = MEMBER OF COUNCIL The Earl of Selborne GBE FRS FIBiol Sir James Tidmarsh KCVO MBE OTHER OFFICIALS Mrs Briony Wood Mrs R Showering (*) = STEWARD Mrs Jennifer Sheldon Mr Tim Walford Auditors: FRANCIS CLARK Mr Dan Wood (*) Mr L R Staples His Grace The Duke of Somerset Sir David Wills BT Bankers: HANDELSBANKEN TRUSTEE BOARD (*) Mrs J M Tilley LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES Mr Jeremy R Speid-Soote Fire Safety Advisor: TRIANGLE FIRE & RESCUE Mr John Alvis OBE Vice Chairman Mr C G Turner COUNCIL (RETIRE 2020) Commander Rupert Best DL Mrs Amanda Streatfeild * Health & Safety Consultant: MENTOR & SAFE Mr Richard Ash (*) Mr A J Vaughan-France Mr Oliver Chamberlain QVRM TD FRICS Mrs Liz Copas Mrs Sarah Troughton * SYSTEMS Mr Richard Calver Mr T J Vaux Mr David Cotton Mr Allen Cotton OBE Col. Anthony Uloth Honorary Archivist: Vacant Mr Robert Drewett DL Chairman (*) Mrs S J Whittaker Mrs C R S Drewett Mr Anthony Gibson OBE Chairman The Lord Vestey KCVO Honorary Editor of The Journal: Mr Rupert Uloth Mr Mike Felton MFH Major The Hon A Wigram Mr Anthony Gibson OBE Ms Katie Robinson Mr John Vintcent * Honorary Librarian: Mr Thomas Rogers Mr Anthony Gibson OBE Brigadier C Wolverson OBE DL Mr Clive Groves Mr Thomas Rogers Mr Michael Waite FRICS * Honorary Tree Conservator: Mrs Catherine Look (*) Mrs S Wrixon Mrs Marie Handel MRICS FAAV Mr Anthony Smallwood Lord Waldegrave, of North Hill P C Mr Bill Ayres MICFor Dr Lance Moir Hon. Treasurer Mrs Mary James MBE Mr Alan Stone Mrs Angela Yeoman OBE DL * Assistant Bio-Security Officer: Mr Martin Thatcher Mr John Law Mrs Janet Tall Mr Peter Clark P.J. BVetMed, CertBr, MRCVS Mr Rupert Uloth Mr Matthew JB McKaig Mr Rupert Uloth IN MEMORIAM Mr Phil Kenward, CertBr, MRCVS Sir David Wills Bt Mr Archie Montgomery Veterinary Officers: Mrs Angela Yeoman OBE DL SHOWS BOARD The Society would like to record Ms Rebecca Pow MP Mr Paddy Gordon MA, VetMB, CertCHP MRCVS Mr Paul Hooper OBE Company Secretary Mr John Alvis OBE Chairman with sadness the following deaths Mr Mike Pullin Mr Kevin Cutler K.L. BSc BVSc DipECBHM MRCVS Mr Richard Ash over the past year: Miss Rosie Sage Mr Nico Robertson, BVetMed MRCVS AUDIT COMMITTEE Mr David Cotton Sir John Cave BT DL Mrs Frances Wood Mr Richard Calver Mr Robert Drewett DL Dr Lance Moir LT Col WDA Poole Mrs E E Drewett

44 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 45 Mrs Rosemary Greaves Mrs Anita Simmons HORSES (GREEN) MAIN SHOW COMMITTEE Mr Mark Tilley SHOW/STEWARD Mr Robert Griffin Mrs Jean Tincknell Mr Anthony Alexander BSC FRICS * Mr Ted Allen DL * Mrs Alison Tilley * COMMITTEES Mr Clive Groves * Mr Robert Atkinson The Hon Mrs Mary Allhusen * Mr Nick Townhill DAIRY PRODUCE Mrs Sally Batten Mr John Alvis OBE * Mr Geoff Groves Mr Anthony Barber * Mr John Were * = COMMITTEE Mr David Batten Mr Robert Drewett DL * Chairman Mrs Ann Groves Dr Cyril Davies Dr Robert Whale Mr Martin Hann Mr Ryan Bliss Mr Anthony Gibson OBE * ART Mr Julius Longman * Chairman POULTRY AND SMALL ANIMALS Mrs Viv Booth Sir Alexander Muir-Mackenzie Bt * Mr Mark Coreth * Chairman Mrs Pauline Hann Mr Roger Longman * Mrs Dot Bourne Mrs Jennifer Bryer Mr David Sedgman * Mrs Isabel de Pelet BEM * Mr Richmond Harding Mr John Longman * Mr Neil Collins Mrs Rose Cameron Mr George Streatfeild * MsFrances Goddard * Mrs Anneli Hendy Mr David Miller * Ms Jayne Cox * Mr William Carless Mrs Maureen Trott * Mrs Patricia Harris * Mr Andrew Hill Mr Peter Mitchell * Mrs Felicity Doble Mr Trevor Clarke Mr Noll Uloth * Ms Jane Hooper Mrs Shirley Hill Mr Mike Pullin * Mrs Paula Guley * Miss Jane Cooper * Chairman Mr Tony Wilcox * Mr Mark Jerram * Mr Malcolm Hillyer Ms Ruth Raskin* Mr Joe Merchant * Chairman Mr David Cowie Mr Jeremy Marshall * Ms Eve Hooper Mrs Amanda Streatfeild MAIN STOCK INC VETS Mrs Sophie Merchant * Miss Diana Crumpler Mrs Brigid Moreton Mrs Alison House Mr Justin Tunstall * Mr Patrick Biss * Mr David Parsons Mr Mike Felton MFH * Chief Steward Ms Anna Redwood * Mr Keith Jempson Mrs Charlie Westcar * Mr Kevin Cutler BSc BVSc DipECBHM MRCVS * Mr Fred Smith * Mrs Jane Garner Mrs Mary Clare Rodwell * Mr Phil Kenward Certbr MRCVS * Ms Ros Windsor * Mr Paddy Gordon MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS * Mr Malcolm Thompson Ms Emma Gibson * Mr John Staib * Mr Ben Letts Mr Geoff Groves * Mr Derek Wakeham * FARMING FOR THE FAMILY Mr Mike Suffield Mrs Sally Letts Mr William Grant Mrs Ann Groves * Mr Ian Dyer * RECEPTION Ms Judy Thompson * Mr Michael Lyons * Miss Sonia Kennedy Mr Phil Kenward Certbr MRCVS * Miss Rosie Sage * Mr John Alvis OBE Chief Steward Ms Baffy Turner * Miss Jess Maynard Mrs Helen Kirkland Mr Max Pitman * Mrs Patsy Scadding Mr James Bardwell Professor William Vaughan * Mr Mike Nicholls Mrs Di Longland Mrs Sue Pritchard * Mr David Sedgman * Chairman Mr Robert Drewett DL Chief Steward Mrs Frances Wood * Mr Nick Oliver Mrs Pat Mennim Mr Martin Snell * Mr Rob Page Mrs Rachel Sharp * Mr Malcolm Power Mr David Gidney BEES AND HONEY Mr Stephen Stamp BEM * Mr Tony Page Mr Ian Tossell * Mr David Puttock Mrs K Lea Mr Dave Moore * Mrs Rachel Stamp * Mrs Mel Park Mr Ed White * Mr Nick Renwick Mr Robert Peto Mr Bernie Perkins * Mrs Maureen Trott * Chairman Mr Wayne Pople Mrs Briony Wood * Mrs Margaret Schwarz The RT. Rev’D Peter B. Price Mrs Suzette Perkins * Mrs Sue Pritchard Mr Dan Wood * Mr Len Smith ORCHARD AND CIDER COMMITTEE Mrs Andrea Pyle Mr Chris Rawlings * Chairman Mr Justin Bartley Miss Camilla R F Drewett Mr Bob Quantrill FLORAL ART Mr Simon Somers Mrs Sue Rawlings * Mr Martin Berkeley Ms Carol Quantrill Mrs Margaret Bown * Miss Canti Speid-Soote * Col. Sir Peter Redwood Bt Chief Steward Miss Anne Rowberry * Mr Alan Berry Mrs Jess Quinn-Langley Miss Sue Bramble * Chairman Mrs Charlotte Warman Mrs Trudi Taylor Mr Ken Tredgett * Mrs Hazel Berry Ms Helen Roe Mrs Diane Clark * Mr Henry Wichelo-Page Mr Martin Thatcher Mr Matthew Best CATERING Mrs Kim Sales * Mrs Pauline Heron * Dr Georgina Williamson Sir James Tidmarsh KCVO MBE Commander Rupert Best DL * Mr John Burrough Mrs Sally Salter Mrs Janet Jones * Mr William Yeats Mrs Terri Wilcox Lt Col Philip Brown * Mrs Isobel Craven [not 2019] Mr Viv Sellick Mrs Kathy Lane * Sir David Wills Bt HORSES (PURPLE) Ms Laura Burne Ms Diane Ellis Mrs Hilary Skipper Mrs Karin Warren * RING EVENTS Mr Ian Dudgeon * Mr Bob Chaplin * Chief Steward Mrs Fiona de Fonblanque * Mr Bernard Stamp Miss Emily Craven FOOD AND DRINK Miss Jabenna Maslin Mr Gabe Cook Mrs Gill Murray * Mr Joshua Stevens Mr Timothy Drewett Mr Tom Calver * Sir Alex Muir-Mackenzie * Mrs Liz Copas * Nicola Rankin Mr Michael Stevens Sir Alexander Muir-Mackenzie Bt Chief Steward Miss Lucy Hart Ms Anne Newbery * Mr Paul Courtney Mrs Michelle Reed Mr Will Streatfeild Mr Clive Ross Miss Becky Hutchings Mr Rupert Nuttall * Mrs Susie Dearden Miss Clare Rice * Mrs Maureen Trott * Mrs Sally Whitaker Mrs Ellen Kingston * Mrs Wendy Sturmey Ms Amanda Farmer * Mrs Anna-Clare Seymour * Mrs Anne Tully Mrs Bev Milner Simonds * Mrs Shirley Trim Mr Matthew French * SAFETY ZONE Mr David Speed * Mr Gordon Tully Mrs Sarah Milner Simonds * Mr Clive Valentine Mr Anthony Gibson OBE * Chairman Lt Col Stephen Bartlett * Chairman Mr Noll Uloth * Chairman Mr Gordon Twinberrow * Mr George Streatfeild * Chairman Mrs Angela Valentine Mr Mark Hobhouse Mr Eddie Croombs * Mr David Young * Mr Charlie Walford Mrs Amanda Streatfeild * DRIVING STEWARDS Mr Jonathan Hoskyns * Miss Lily Higgins * CATTLE Mr Ross Whitcombe Mr Alex Warrington Ms Jackie Boucher Mrs Ann Hudson * Lt. Col. Anthony Langdon Mr Rob Baber Mr Arthur Whittle Mr Bernard Hillier Mrs Rosie Inge Mr Rod Little * Mr David Barker * Mr Thomas William Woolacott GRANDSTAND Mr Mike Lacy Mr Steven Pinkerton-Clark * Mr Simon Briston HORTICULTURE Ms Gayle Bersey Mrs Rachel Wyllie Mr Mike Toop * Miss Twiga Drewett Miss Sue Bramble * Mr Edward Landon Mr Patrick Biss * Chairman Mrs Liz Yeandle Mr Zak Westell Mr Bill Southcombe Mr Nigel Cox * Captain Didier Lombard, RN Mrs Janet Biss * Mr Mike Yeandle Mr Paul Woodward * Mr James Thomas Mrs Sandra Ford * Mr Neil Macdonald * Mrs Natasha Bougourd COMMUNICATIONS/PRESS Mr Patrick Thomson Mr Nigel Hewitt-Cooper * Chairman Miss Emily Mangles SECURITY Mrs Fiona Britten * Mr Nicholas Allan JP, FASC, FGMS Mr Rupert Uloth Chief Steward Ms Caroline Lane * Mr Ross Mangles * Mr Ted Allen DL * Chief Steward Mrs Becky Candy Ms Caroline Batten Mr David Mangles Mr Alex Haig Mr Peter Clark BVetMed Certbr MRCVS * HEAVY HORSES Mr Paul Lane Mrs Tracey Brimble * Mr Piotr Megger Mrs Alice Coombes Mrs Pauline Cole Ms Jean Slater SHEEP AND PIGS COMMITTEE Mrs Angela Cary-Brown * Mr John Mitchell Mr Richard Cotes-James * Mr John Cole Mrs Kay Trippick * Mrs Maureen Trott * Chief Steward Miss Olivia Cooper * Mr John Pearse Mr Keith Cutler BSc BVSc DipECBHM MRCVS * Mr David Jeffery Mr Anthony Gibson OBE * LONG SERVICE Mr Nick Poole SHEEP Mr Henry Dart * Mr Malcolm D Scurrell Ms Rebecca Hacker * Miss Eleanor Matheson of Matheson DL Mrs Dawn Poole Mrs Marilyn J Burrough * Mrs Jill Dart Mrs Lynn A Scurrell Mrs Mary James MBE * Mrs Pauline Alvis Mr Nick Reader * Mr Robert Burrough Mr Christopher J Dart Mr Paul Willis Mr Peter Reynolds * Chairman MAIN LAWN ACTIVITIES Mr Martin Ridler Mr James Burrough Mr Richard Dibben Mrs Julie Willis Mrs Lucy Sherborne Mrs Jill Osmond Mr Mark Rogers Mr Charles FB Clark MRICS FAAV Mr Robert Dimond * Mr Peter Sherborne * HORSE COMMITTEE The Revd Tobie Osmond * Ms Debi Rundle Mrs Jo Dagger Miss Lesley Durbin Mrs Anthea Derby * Mrs Helen Parker * Commander Tony Steiner OBE, RN Mr Mike Gooden Mrs Caroline Durston CUPS AND TROPHIES Mrs J Churches Mrs Ann Fowler * Mrs Denise Plummer * Chief Steward Mr Alan Stone * Mrs Bridget Gooden Mr Mark Edwards Miss Hannah Dyer Mr Nico Robertson BVetMed MRCVS * Mr Richard Plummer Mr Kevin Strange Mrs Marie Handel MRICS FAAV Mr Colin Gleed Mrs Anne Dyer Mr Ian Smeeth * Mrs Suzette Thorner Mrs L Harding Mr Paddy Gordon MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS * Mr Adrian Hassed

46 JOURNAL 2018/2019 www.bathandwest.com www.bathandwest.com JOURNAL 2018/2019 47 Miss Lucy Heywood Mr Jason Somerville * Mr Eddy Hale Miss Annabel Hole Mr Duncan Thomson * Mrs Janet Lowe PAST PRESIDENTS’ OF THE SOCIETY Mr R Hopper Miss Jessica Uphill * Mr Steve McCarthy YEAR PRESIDENT YEAR PRESIDENT Mr William Hyde * Mrs Sue Williams Mr George Murray Mrs Susan Lake Mr Dick Oliver 1970 The Lord Ashburton, KG, KCVO 1995 The Earl of Selborne, KBE TRADESTAND JUDGING Mr Andrew Look Mr David Cotton Mr Michael Page FCA 1971 Col. C.T. Mitford-Slade 1996 Mr R.W. Drewett DL Mrs Sam Moody Mr Nigel Howe Mr Christopher Skinner 1972 Brig. The Lord Tryon, GCVO, KCB, DSO 1997 The Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, GCB, CVO Mr Simon Norman * Mr Simon Hutchings Mr John Smith 1973 The Lord Dulverton, CBE, TD 1998 The Rt Rev. James Thompson, The Lord Bishop of Bath & Wells Mr Gary Passmore Mr Tony Wilcox Chief Steward Mrs Catherine Look 1974 The Earl Waldergrave, KG, TD, DL, GCVO 1999 The Countess of Arran DL Mrs Gilly Puzey Ms Lucy Parker CARAVAN PARKS 1975 Col. C.T. Mitford-Slade 2000 The Rt. Hon. The Earl Cairns, CBE Ms Sarah Rashley Mrs Alison Whitcombe Mr Alan Billing 1976 The Lord Digby 2001 Rt. Hon. Viscount Cranborne DL Mrs Jessica Read Mrs Glenis Billing Mrs Gemma Richardson TRADESTANDS 1977 HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT 2002 HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO The Hon Mrs Mary Allhusen Chief Steward Mrs Kim Dyer Mr Ray Scott 1978 His Grace The Duke of Wellington, MVO, OBE, MC, DL 2003 Lady Gass, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Somerset Mr Richard Allhusen Mr John Dyer Mrs Anna-Clare Seymour * Mrs Trudy French 1979 Col. W.Q. Roberts, CVO, CBE, DSO, DL 2004 The Rt. Hon. The Lord King of Bridgwater CH Ms Lisette Smith Miss Rosanne Dobson Mr Jim French 1980 Sir John Wills, Bt, TD 2005 The Marquess of Salisbury, PC, DL Mr Stephen Stamp BEM * Chief Steward Mr Rupert Firbank Mr Roger Lowe Mr Paul Hiscox 1981 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, GCVO, KG, KT, GBE 2006 Lord Waldegrave of North Hill Mrs Rachel Stamp * Chief Steward Mrs Carol Hiscox Mr Austin L Tucker VINTAGE VEHICLES 1982 The Marquess of Salisbury, DL 2007 Lord Cameron of Dillington DL Mr Maurice Wall Mr Karl Burden * 1983 Lt. Col. G.W.F. Luttrell, MC 2008 Angela Yeoman, OBE, DL Mr Neil Wills Mr Lionel Clothier * SPECIALIST SHOW 1984 The Lord St. Levan, DSC, DL 2009 The Earl of Devon Mr John Coakes * PIGS STANDING COMMITTEES 1985 Field Marshal Sir Roland Gibbs, GCB, CBE, DSO, MC, DL 2010 HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO Mrs June Coakes * Mrs Fiona Britten 1986 HRH The Princess Anne, Mrs Mark Phillips, GCVO 2011 HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO Mr Robin Hatcher * Mr James Champion * DAIRY SHOW MAIN 1987 Lord Romsey 2012 Sir Henry Elwes KCVO Mrs Caroline Hinks * Mr Patrick Palmer * Chairman Mr James Bardwell * 1988 Mrs Susan Williams, MBE, JP 2013 The Rt Revd Peter B Price, Bishop of Bath & Wells Mr Frank J Miller Mr Anthony Sugg * Mr David Cotton * Chairman 1989 Major The Lord Darling, DL 2014 HRH The Duchess of Cornwall GCVO Mr James Sage VISITOR STEWARDS Mr Clive Groves * Vice Chairman Mr Peter Sherborne Mrs Emma Macdonald Chief Steward Mr Phil Kenward Certbr MRCVS * 1990 Sir John Quicke, CBE 2015 The Lord & Lady Fellowes Mrs Hilary Skipper Mr Tom Rebbeck Mrs Maureen Trott * 1991 Mr Marmaduke Hussey 2016 Michael Eavis CBE Mr Martin Snell * Chairman Mrs Kate Saker Mr David Young * 1992 (Deputy President) Col. G.W.F. Luttrell, MC 2017 Sir John Cave Bt DL

SHEEP SHEARING WOODLANDS AND COUNTRYSIDE 1993 Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Henry Leach, GCB, DL 2018 Mrs Mary Prior CVO MBE DAIRY SHOW CATTLE SUB Mr Andrew Barratt * CONSERVATION Mrs Janet Biss * 1994 The Lord Vestey Commander Rupert Best DL * Mr David Atkin * Chief Steward Mr Patrick Biss * Miss Hilary Bond Mr Nicholas Alexander Mr Peter Clark BVetMed Certbr MRCVS * Mr Julian Branfield * Mr Bill Ayers * Mr Richard Cotes-James * Mr Boris Chick Mr Jonathan Baker FICFOR. M.Arbor.A Cenv. MIfL * Chairman Mr Keith Cutler BSc BVSc DipECBHM Mr Roy Coker MRCVS* Mr Nick Baker Mr Alan Derryman * Chairman Mr Tim Garry * Mrs Hannah Bradish-Ellames Mr Richard Excell * Mr Paddy Gordon MA VetMB CertCHP Mr Peter Bradish-Ellames Mr Rob Gardner MRCVS* Mr Roy Buckland * Mr Edward Goodfellow * Mr Clive Groves * Chairman Mr Stephen Ellis Mrs Alison Gould * Mr Malcolm Hillyer * Mr Rupert Furneaux * Mrs Anna Griffin Mr Phil Kenward Certbr MRCVS * Mr Bill Galpin * Mr Hugo James Mr Michael Lyons * Mr David Gervers * Mr David John * Ms Clare Miles * Mr Matthew JB McKaig Mr Robert Lee * Mr Brian Miller * Mr Peter Munford * Mr George Mudge * Mr Tom Osborne * Mr John Osborne Mr Andrew Mudge * Mr Richard Osborne * Mr Steve Russell * Mr Dean Nelmes * Mrs Kim Sales * Mr George Olof * WORKS Mr Jake Sayer * Mrs Gwenan Paewai Mr Richard Ash * Chief Steward Mr Tyrell Selway * Mr Richard Pullin * Mrs Jackie J Cobb Mrs Maureen Trott * Miss Tracy Pullin Mr Michael Cobb BSC CEng MIEE Mr Gordon Twinberrow * Mr David Takle * Mrs Celia R S Drewett * GRASSLAND UK COMMITTEE Mr Tom Wall * WROUGHT IRON Mr James Bolton * Miss Naomi Walters Mr John Bellamy * Mrs Katrina Dunford * Mr Andrew Wear * Mrs Julie Mahoney Mr Nick Fone * SHOEING Mr Keith Mahoney * Mr Duncan Forbes * Mr Richard Ash * Mr Don Mallett Mr Roger Longman * Mr Stephen Belasco * Mr Nick Peppitt Mr David Sedgman * Chairman Mr William Bougourd * Chairman YARD Mr Clive Snell * Mr Paul Horner * Mr Alan Chinn Mr Tom Teagle * Mr Neil Miller * Mr Robert Clark Mr Simon Williams * Mr Nigel Phillips Mr Mick Edwards Mr Dan Rabin Mrs Lyn Gilling Mrs Mary Prior CVO MBE Mr Andrew Reader-Smith AWCF * As at 10 January 2019 Mr Tony Gilling

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