| Royal Agricultural Show |
Date |
| Royal Ulster Show | 15th to the 18th May 2024 |
| Royal Bath and West Show | 30th May to the 1st June 2024 |
| Royal Cornwall Show | 6th to the 8th June 2024 |
| Royal Three Counties Show | 14th to 16th June 2024 |
| Royal Cheshire Show | 18th and 19th June 2024 |
| Royal Highland Show | 20th to 23rd June 2024 |
| Royal Norfolk Show | 26th to 27th June 2024 |
| Royal Lancashire Show | 19th to 21st July 2024 |
| Royal Welsh Show | 22nd to 25th July 2024 |
Category: News
Celebrating Farming’s high achievers at National AGM
The Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) held an Annual General Meeting at Clevedon Hall, North Somerset on Wednesday 26th April in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Fellow.
Associates and Fellows from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales came together to provide an annual update on activities which have taken place throughout the year as well as looking forward, which included a variety of farming study tours, agricultural show receptions and award presentations across the United Kingdom.
HRH The Princess Royal addresses the National AGM of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies
HRH The Princess Royal, is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and gave an address to the AGM before conducting the changing of office as outgoing National Chairman John Henning OBE FRAgS (Northern Ireland) handed over to Nick Green FRAgS (England).
Outgoing National Chairman John Henning OBE FRAgS commented that ‘It has been a huge honour and privilege to have led the CARAS organisation for the past two years. ‘In that time I have been welcomed by the membership across the 4 corners of the UK and have been enthused by the inspiring, dedicated and passionate people I have met.’
HRH The Princess Royal (centre( enjoys a moment with (on left) outgoing chairman Mr John Henning OBE FRAgS (Northern Ireland) with (on right) newly elected chairman Mr Nick Green FRAgS (England)
The objective of the UK wide CARAS organisation is to recognise, through an Awards scheme, distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries. The Awards embrace not only practical farming and the development of new husbandry practices, but also research, technology, economics, education, farming care, communication and administration.
A Fellowship (FRAgS) or Associateship (ARAgS) is a recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the understanding, efficiency and well-being of agriculture. To date, over 1,200 individuals have been so recognised and there are currently over 800 Fellows and over 350 Associates.
HRH The Princess Royal meets members of the National CARAS council, fellows, associates and guests. Pictured L-R Mansel Raymond FRAgS (Wales), Meurig James FRAgS (Wales) with HRH The Princess Royal and National CARAS chairman Nick Green FRAgS.
Nick Green FRAgS, incoming National CARAS chairman said ‘We are delighted to be able to be come together today in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, to not only conduct official business but to highlight individual personal achievement within the farming industry’. ‘As an apolitical organisation, we feel that our membership can really lead the industry to step even further forward’.
During the meeting, HRH The Princess Royal, remarked on the farming industries resilience during the pandemic, responding and adapting in challenging times, and commented on the range of skilled opportunities there were in the sector. She spoke about how food production in the UK should be valued amongst society. Finally she highlighted the great deal of knowledge that those who work the land have gained which must be learnt from and not lost before closing by giving recognition to the work of CARAS.
Lord Plumb FRAgS Sadly Passed Away at 97
Charles Henry Plumb, Baron Plumb, DL and Fellow of CARAS very sadly passed away on the 15 April 2022. He was a Gentleman, a British politician and farmer who went into politics as a leader of the NFU. He later became active in the Conservative Party and was elected as an MEP and was President of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1989, the only Briton to hold the post.
Newsletter – Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies – Autumn 2021 update
CARAS elects new National Chair from Northern Ireland
CARAS has recently appointed John Henning OBE from Northern Ireland as its National Chairman for 2021-23. He has represented NI on the Council for over ten years and succeeds James Black NSch from Fife who has represented Scotland as Chairman for the past two years.
John spent his professional career in banking and specialised in agribusiness for over 30 years before retiring as Head of Agricultural Relations at Danske Bank in 2016. Since then, he has remained active in the agri-food industry and is currently a Non-Executive Director / Trustee in a number of agricultural organisations including the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, Countryside Services and Lantra. He is a Past Chairman of AgriSearch and Past President of the Ulster Grassland Society. He is currently President of Gleno Valley YFC and a Vice President of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society where he sits on a number of committees.
John’s involvement in agriculture was officially recognised when he was awarded an OBE for services to agriculture in the New Year Honours 2019.
He is well known across the UK for his involvement in cattle breeding. He runs a small herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle and has an ownership interest in a number of pedigree dairy cattle. A frequent winner at shows across the UK and Ireland, his interest in cattle and communication ensure he is in demand as a livestock judge.
His interest in agricultural shows led to him undertaking a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 1996 and today he is an industry advocate via social media to help bridge the gap between farmer and consumer.
Away from business his interests include Ulster Rugby, collecting agricultural books and
several charitable organisations.
Speaking after his appointment John Henning OBE said, “I feel very honoured to be elected National Chairman of CARAS and thank the Council and NI Panel for putting their trust in me. I look forward to meeting Fellows and Associates across the United Kingdom in the coming months as Covid restrictions ease and our events get back to some semblance of normality.” CARAS Honorary Secretary Richard Cooksley added “John is a great ambassador for Agriculture and CARAS with his breadth of knowledge of the industry and business”.
Awards
Following the movement restrictions covering COVID we had to put the traditional ‘Face to Face’ assessments on hold and introduce an option for remote assessments to cover applicants whose submission could be assessed via ‘Zoom’ by the two assessors.
This option worked well using a procedure approved by the Moderators Panel and the 4 Nations Panels but is no real substitute for the traditional meeting and I am pleased to report we are now back to face to face assessments but have the option to revert to Remote Assessments if restrictions require.
The process covering assessment is dependant on the support of CARAS members and on behalf of the organisation a great deal of gratitude goes to members who provide letters of sponsorship and give time to carry out the assessments. The feedback from assessors is always very helpful and as one recently said to me when asking him to carry one out ‘Happy to do this, I always enjoy (and learn something) from the CARAS Assessments’.
Associateship awarded on 2021 so far:
Mrs Kate Beavan , ARAgS – Farmer and Lecturer – Wales
Title of the Submission: Promoting Positive Perceptions of Farming for Three Decades
Mr Michael Brown , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: Profitable Farm Through Seed Production
Mr David James Butler , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: Enhancing Biodiversity in a Conventional Mixed Farming System
Mr Matthew Clive Dobbs , ARAgS – Veterinary Surgeon – England
Title of the Submission: Development of veterinary services to support UK Livestock Farming
Mr Richard Grant Findlay , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: Developing Future Agricultural Policy and Support
Mr Jock Gibson , ARAgS – Farmer and Butcher – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Better Grass Management For Better Returns and Better Beef
Mr Gareth Griffiths , ARAgS – Director and Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: The Development of a Family Poultry Farm to a World Leading Multi-Site Egg Production and Packing Operation
Mr Alan John James , ARAgS – Farmer, Engineer and Agricultural Contractor – Wales
Title of the Submission: Four Generations of Diversification, A future For All
Miss Anna Jones , ARAgS – Journalist and Media Consultant – England
Title of the Submission: Helping or Hinder? How the mainstream media Portrays Farming to the public
Mr Brian William Paul Kaye , ARAgS – Estate Manager – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Estate Management and Conservation
Mr Michael King , ARAgS – Farmer/Company Managing Director – England
Title of the Submission: A Passion That Makes a Contribution to British Dairying
Ms Ursula Lavery , ARAgS – Technical and R&D Director – Northern Ireland
Title of the Submission: Improving Biosecurity, Health and Performance in the Poultry Industry
Mr David Lawrie , ARAgS – Farmer – Scotland
Title of the Submission: My journey with SAYFC and Beyond
Mr Seamus McCaffrey , ARAgS – Accountant/Farmer – Northern Ireland
Title of the Submission: At the Centre of the Agri-Industry
Mr Mark John McCallum , ARAgS – Farmer – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Contract Farming
Mr Ian McCluggage , ARAgS – Senior Civil Servant – Northern Ireland
Title of the Submission: Applying Farm Management Principles for Sustainable Business Development
Mr Cormac McKervey , ARAgS – Head of Agriculture Ulster Bank – Northern Ireland
Title of the Submission: Helping farmers to develop themselves and the businesses in a sustainable way
Mr Robert Percy Mercer , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: Educating the Next Generation
Mrs Caroline Millar , ARAgS – Owner of The Hideaway Experience – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Selling the Farm Experience
Mr Robert Arthur Niven , ARAgS – Farmer – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Diverse Rural Retailiong To Create A Robust Farming Buisness
Mr Mark Osman , ARAgS – Farms Manager – England
Title of the Submission: Windsor Farming System
Mr Sandy (David Alexander) Ramsay , ARAgS – Retired Consultant/Manager – Scotland
Title of the Submission: Tools and Advice for Informed Business Decisions
Mr Mark Slater Robins , ARAgS – Estate Director – England
Title of the Submission: A personal contribution to the benefit of agriculture or land-based industries in the fields of research, technology, economics, education, administration, the welfare of farmers or farming communities, or the wider relationship of farming to other sectors
Mr Nicholas Saphir , ARAgS – Company Director – England
Title of the Submission: Market Opportunities
Mr Bryce Sloan , ARAgS – Farmer – Scotland
Title of the Submission: The Evolution of “The Firm Of Bryce Sloan”
Mr Michael Sly , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: My farming life, the Fens, drains, sugar and spice, what a community life
Mr James Small , ARAgS – Farmer – England
Title of the Submission: Industry Representation and Communication
Mrs Ella Daphne Tilley, MBE , ARAgS – Director – Wales
Title of the Submission: Promoting Welsh Lamb
Mr Sion Eilian Williams , ARAgS – Farms Manager – Scotland
Title of the Submission: A Personal Contribution to the Benefit of Agricultural Scotland
Mr Robert Wills , ARAgS – Director – England
Title of the Submission: British Cattle – A Golden Resource
Advancement to Fellowship in 2021 so far:
Mr W.Edward Adamson, FRAgS. Northern Ireland
Mr Samuel Chesney, FRAgS. Northern Ireland
Mr Richard Elliott, CDA, NDA, FRAgS. England
Mrs Fiona Fell, BVSc, MRCVS, FRAgS. England
Mr Ian Garnett, DipAg, MRAC, FRAgS. England
The most Hon The Marquess Hertford, MRAC, DL, FRAgS. England
Mr Stephen Hughson, FRAgS. Wales
Dr Raymond Hunter, MA, MSc, MBA, FIMgt, FRAgS. Northern Ireland
Mr Dafydd Parry Jones, NDA, FRAgS. Wales
Mr Charles Matts, BSc (Hons), FRAgS. England
Mr David McKeown, BVMS, CertSHP, MRCVS, FRAgS. Northern Ireland
Mr Mark Measures, BSc (Hons.Agric), FRAgS. England
Mr Richard Tudor, BSc, FRAgS. Wales
Mr William Williams-Wynne, FRICS, FRAgS. Wales
CARAS Award Events
The cancelation of the main agricultural shows and movement restrictions meant that in 2020 no award ceremonies could be organised. As we start to see the relaxation of controls, the Welsh Panel held an award ceremony on 8th September, Ireland is having one on 23rd September, England on 5th October and Scotland are looking to hold one as soon as possible.
Who is on CARAS Council and Moderators Panel
The moderator’s panel normally meets formally twice a year and as required to review applications for awards. Increasing use has been made of virtual meetings over the last 18 months because of the restrictions associated with Covid.
The panel is led by the Moderator and is made up of a representative of each nation, the national chairman and the immediate past national chairman and they are responsible for the review of applications for awards.
o Moderator:
Professor E Wynne Jones OBE, BSc (Hons), PhD, Hon DSc, FIAgrE, NSch, FRAgS
o Panel Members:
§ England:
· Mr Nick Green, NSch, FRAgS
§ Northern Ireland and National Chairman:
· Mr C. John Henning, OBE, NSch, FRAgS
§ Scotland:
· Professor William McKelvey, OBE, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, FRSE, FRAgS
§ Wales:
· Mr WI Cyril Davies, BSc (Hons), MIBiol, FRAgS
§ Immediate Past National Chairman:
· Mr James Black NSch
· Council:
The Council meets 2 times a year which is traditionally April and November with the last 3 meeting being held making use of Video links.
The Council is made up of a maximum number of 23 covering the 4 nations split as:
o 2 CARAS Fellows from each nation
o 2 Representatives of the 4 Royal Agricultural Societies
o The CARAS Chairman
o The Immediate past CARAS Chairman
o The Moderator who is Ex-officio
o The 4 members representing the nations on the Moderators panel
The membership of the Council currently is:
The National Chairman: Mr C. John Henning, OBE, NSch, FRAgS
The Moderator: Professor E Wynne Jones OBE, BSc (Hons), PhD, Hon DSc, FIAgrE, NSch, FRAgS
Representing England:
Mr Nick Green, FRAgS (Chairman, English Panel)
Mrs Milly Fyfe – (Hon. Secretary),
Miss Rosie Carne, FRAgS
Mr Jim Godfrey, OBE, FRAgS
Representing Northern Ireland:
Dr Christine Kennedy OBE, FRAgS (Chairman NI Panel)
Mr Alan Crowe – (Hon. Secretary, N. Ireland Panel)
Mr Billy Martin OBE, FRAgS (RUAS President)
Mr C. John Henning, OBE, FRAgS (National Chairman)
Representing Scotland:
Mr Willie Gill, OBE, FRAgS (Scottish Panel Chairman)
Mr Alan C. Laidlaw, FRAgS (Hon. Secretary, Scottish Panel)
Professor William A.C. McKelvey, OBE, FRAgS
Mr Christo Shepherd, FRAgS
Mr James Black, FRAgS, (Immediate past National Chairman)
Representing Wales:
Mr Emyr W. Jones, FRAgS (Chairman of Welsh Panel)
Mr Stephen Hughson, FRAgS, (Hon. Secretary, Welsh Panel)
Mrs Janet Phillips, FRAgS, (Vice-Chairman of WP)
Mr W. I. Cyril Davies, FRAg
Obituaries
CARAS Council notes with sorrow & condolences the following deaths that have been notified to the office of Fellows and Associates during 2021:
Mr Charles Stewart, ARAgS Notified January 2021
Professor John Hillman FRAgS Notified January 2021
Mr JR Prunty MBE, FRAgS Notified February 2021
Mr Ian McLaren, FRAgS Notified February 2021
Mr John McConnell FRAgS Notified March 2021
HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, FRAGS Notified April 2021
Mr Robert Morrow CBE, FRAgS Notified April 2021
Mr Maurice Beckett, FRAgS Notified May 2021
Mr Tom Copas, FRAgS Notified June 2021
Mr Malcolm Stansfield MBE, FRAgS Notified June 2021
Mr Alasdair Houston, MBE, DL, FRAgS Notified June 2021
Mr Hugh Black, FRAgS Notified July 2021s
External Honours, Awards and Appointments
The office has been made aware of the following CARAS members who have received Honours, Awards, or significant Appointments since January this year:
George Streatfeild MBE, FRAgs Awarded the MBE for services to the community
Di Westenage, MBE, ARAgS Awarded MBE for her services to the UK dairy industry.
Tom Rawson ARAgS Winner of the Dairy Employer of the year award to Evolution Farming
Dr Jude Capper ARAgS Harper Adams Honorary Degrees
Dr Jude Capper ARAgS The winner of the Sir John Hammond Award
Miss Abi Reader ARAgS Farmers Weekly Awards Farming Champion
Mr Gary Yeomans FRAgS Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies All Wales Big Bale Silage Competition for 2021 Winner
Prof. Julie Fitzpatrick OBE, FRAgS Appointed as the new Chief Scientific Advisor at Scottish Government
Update on Leadership Initiatives
CARAS is very supportive of initiatives to develop skills particularly Leadership & professionalism and during the lock down the following have been very active.
· Agrileadership Week 17th to 21st May 2021
The Worshipful Company of Farmers, Nuffield Scholarships, Institute of Agricultural Management and Farmers Club Charitable Trust linked with AHDB to put on a weeklong event. So as to raise awareness of leadership opportunities that exist in the industry and so as to encourage participation from a much greater audience and show leadership is for everyone!
This was a very successful event for all the organisations, and they are planning to repeat again next year.
· The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture
The development of TIAH continues with the recently published ‘Five Year Plan’ 2021 – 2026 Strategic Plan which lays out its ambitions and targets for the next 5 years and can be found by clicking https://tiah.org/tiah-launches-its-first-five-year-plan/
CARAS Contacts
CARAS:
Contact: richard@caras.uk.com
Richard Cooksley CARAS Secretary. Portbury House, Sheepway, Portbury, North Somerset BS20 7TE
CARAS elects new National Chair from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland as its National Chairman for 2021-23. He has represented NI on the Council for over ten years and succeeds James Black NSch from Fife who has represented Scotland as Chairman for the past two years.
John spent his professional career in banking and specialised in agribusiness for over 30 years before retiring as Head of Agricultural Relations at Danske Bank in 2016. Since then, he has remained active in the agri-food industry and is currently a Non-Executive Director / Trustee in a number of agricultural organisations including the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, Countryside Services and Lantra. He is a Past Chairman of AgriSearch and Past President of the Ulster Grassland Society. He is currently President of Gleno Valley YFC and a Vice President of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society where he sits on a number of committees. The Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) has recently appointed John Henning OBE from Northern Ireland as its National Chairman for 2021-23. He has represented NI on the Council for over ten years and succeeds James Black NSch from Fife who has represented Scotland as Chairman for the past two years.
He was awarded an OBE for services to agriculture in the New Year Honours 2019.
He is well known across the UK for his involvement in cattle breeding he runs a small herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle and has an ownership interest in a number of pedigree dairy cattle. A frequent winner at shows across the UK and Ireland, his interest in cattle and communication ensure he is in demand as a livestock judge.
His interest in agricultural shows led to him undertaking a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 1996 and today he is an industry advocate via social media to help bridge the gap between farmer and consumer.
Away from business his interests include Ulster Rugby, collecting agricultural books and several charitable organisations.
Speaking after his appointment John Henning OBE said, “I feel very honoured to be elected National Chairman of CARAS and thank the Council and NI Panel for putting their trust in me. I look forward to meeting Fellows and Associates across the United Kingdom in the coming months as Covid restrictions ease and our events get back to some semblance of normality.”
Alasdair Houston who played a pivotal role in the transformation of Gretna Green into Britain’s leading wedding destination has died.
Alasdair was made an MBE in 2011 for his services to tourism, died aged 59 on Monday June 21, following a long battle with cancer.
Only this year, he was commended by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland Sir William Young Award for his exceptional contribution to the world of cattle breeding.
A tribute was posted on the Gretna House Farms’s Facebook page, with Mr Houston’s devotion to his family, alongside his work and the wider community hailed following his sad passing.
The statement read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Alasdair Houston, MBE, DL, FRAgS, of Gretna Green on 21st June 2021 in the Alexandra Unit, Dumfries at the age of 59 following a long illness with cancer.
“Loving family man, farmer, pedigree cattle breeder, chairman of Gretna Green Ltd and entrepreneur.”
Mr Houston leaves a wife and two children.
Professor Malcolm Stansfield MBE, BSc, Dip.Agric FIAgrM, FIMgt, FRAgS, FRASE, Princess Royal Award, Churchill Scholar. Sadly passed away 10.00pm Saturday 19th June 2021
Professor John Malcolm Stansfield or Malcolm as we all knew him was such a great friend and supporter of so many of us and will be sadly missed.
He had a very long and distinguished career and life within Agriculture and stood down last year as the Hon Secretary of the English Panel of CARAS after 18 years in the role.
Malcolm was born and raised near Barnoldswick (‘Barlick’ to locals), Son of a Master Butcher, his grandparents farmed at nearby Copy Nook Farm in Bowland. When he was born, Barnoldswick was within the West Riding of Yorkshire –a Yorkshireman “from God’s own County” – although since 1974 the residents of the town reluctantly pay their council taxes to Lancashire! Commitment to practical farming combined with suitable prowess at school secured Malcolm a place in 1953 to study agriculture at the University of Leeds. A postgraduate diploma in agriculture brought him to study at Reading where he became a Senior Lecturer in Farm Management combined with the Director of the University’s farms. Malcolm retired after 42 years as the longest-serving member of the University of Reading’s academic staff.
When Director of the University of Reading Farm Management Unit within the Agriculture Faculty, Malcolm with others founded the International Farm Management Association (IFMA) which held its first biennial congress in 1971. Elected President in 1991, Malcolm retired at the 16th Congress in Cork in 2007 and took on the role as a patron.
Malcolm’s skills as a communicator combined with his academic and practical knowledge have been well recognized in the farming industry. He served as Chief Agricultural Advisor to the Royal Agricultural Society of England for several years.
A Winston Churchill Scholar, he studied the management of large- scale dairying in North America and was a recipient of the Princess Royal Award for his services to the UK dairy industry. He lectured widely, been consultant in numerous countries and was a Special Adviser to the House of Commons Agriculture Select Committee. He was an author of many management and husbandry papers and in his inimitable style presented a series of agricultural video programmes – widely used in teaching establishments.
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2003 Malcolm was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his services to agriculture and to the community in Reading.
Malcolm was awarded the post of Hon. Visiting Professor by The Royal Agricultural College in autumn 2007.
Over the years, Malcolm Stansfield gave a host of talks to farming, rural and general public audiences and was for several years a trustee of FCN – then Farm Crisis Network but now Farming Community Network.
An active member of Rotary International for years he was twice awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship of that organisation.
Malcolm’s first wife Mary died in December 2004 after a long illness. He has 3 married children and 6 grandchildren. Malcolm married Berenice in June 2010 and they lived in Cirencester where he was active in Probus and at the parish Church of St John. He maintained an active interest in the many organisations he was associated with right to the end and will be sadly missed as a good friend.
English Panel CARAS Members Only Webinar Thursday 13th May 2021
This webinar is an opportunity for CARAS members to hear Nick Shorter, Managing Director for Velcourt Ltd, giving a overview of the national farming company he represents along with the changes and opportunity’s for farm management over the next 15 years.
To book on to the webinar email the English Panel Secretary Milly Fyfe on hello@millyfyfe.com
11th February 2021 Award of Associateship of CARAS
Congratulations to Robert Niven from Scotland and Michael King, Robert Mercer and Robert Wills from England who have been awarded Associateship of CARAS
1st February 2021 – New CARAS Associateship
Congratulations to Michael Sly, Gareth Griffiths and Mark Robbins who have been award Associateship on Monday 1st February 2021