The Fellowship Of Royal Agricultural Societies Coordinated by:

Obituaries

CARAS Council notes with sorrow & condolences the following deaths of Fellows and Associates that have been notified to the secretary during 2023.

Title First Name Last Name CARAS Notified
Mr Gordon Angell FRAgS Notified March 2023
Mr James Brown FRAgS Notified August 2023
Mr Andrew Campbell FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mrs Olive Clarke OBE FRAgS Notified December 2023
Mr John Dykes FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mr Peter Fox MBE FRAgS Notified September 2023
Mr Richard Gibb FRAgS Notified March 2023
Mr Clwyd Hughes FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mr Sandy Inverarity FRAgS Notified August 2023
Mr Daniel Jones FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mr Christopher Jones FRAgS Notified May 2023
Mrs Iowan Lewis FRAgS Notified August 2023
Sir Meuric Rees FRAgS Notified March 2023
Mr Caerwyn Roberts OBE FRAgS Notified January 2023
Mrs Lorna Robinson ARAgS Notified October 2023
Mr Richard Steele FRAgS Notified September 2023
Mr James Stobo FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mr Elwyn Tudor FRAgS Notified July 2023
Mr Peter Titley FRAgS Notified February 2023

 

Dates for CARAS Nations 2024 Events

While the four nations panels have very good ways of communicating dates of their events, (they organise) to their relevant nations, at a recent CARAS Council meeting it was agreed that Fellows and Associates from other Nations are very welcome to attend them. During 2024 we will be updating the CARAS Website to include a list of Nations events and how to book to attend.

 

CARAS England

  • Sunday 9th to the Tuesday 11th June 2024
    • English Panel AGM and Study tour to Cambridgeshire
 
  • Wednesday 19th June 2024.
    • A joint reception with the WCF at the Lincolnshire Show
 
  • Tuesday 15th October 2024.
    • The English Panel awards ceremony at the House of Lords

CARAS Northern Ireland

Tuesday 25th January 2024

Online ‘Winter Webinar’ Speakers on the evening will include our own CARAS UK National Chair, Nick Green.

Thursday 21st March 2024

Spring farm visit and NI Group AGM

Wednesday 15th May 2023

The annual NI CARAS awards reception will take place at the Balmoral Show

CARAS Scotland

Wednesday 6th March 2024

CARAS Scotland Conference and AGM at the Pavilion, Ingliston

Thursday 20th June 2024

CARAS Reception at the Royal Highland Show

TBC

Visit to the Scottish Parliament plans are well advanced for this and the date will be confirmed shortly

Wednesday 31st July to Thursday 1st August

Planning for the Summer Outing is already underway, which will include a visit to the Black Isle Show.

CARAS Wales

 

 Thursday 25th January 2024 

2024 CARAS Cymru Conference and Council meeting at the Royal Welsh Showground. The conference has the theme of ‘Seeing the Wood from the

Trees’. Speakers include:

§  Prof. John Gilliland OBE DSc FRAgS, will give a presentation on the journey towards net zero.

§  Abi Reader FRAgS, Deputy President NFU Cymru

§  Gian Marco Currado, Director of Rural Affairs Welsh Government

§  Nick Fenwick, Head of Policy Farmers’ Union of Wales

§  Dr Prysor Williams, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management Bangor University

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

CARAS Wales Reception and presentation of awards 

 

Autumn date to be confirmed

Field Day Visit to Puffin Produce, Pembrokeshire and Council Meeting

 

Honours, Awards and Appointments

Congratulations to the following CARAS Fellows and Associates that the Secretary has been
made aware of who has received Honours, Awards or significant Appointments.


Honours:

 

Title

First Name

Last Name

CARAS

Information

Mr

Andrew

Arbuckle MBE

FRAgS

Awarded MBE in the 2024 New Years Honours for his work as a trustee and fundraiser for farming charity, RSABI, and his services to farming and his community.

Mr

Bill 

Gray MBE

FRAgS

Awarded MBE in Kings Birthday Honours June 2023 for outstanding service to agriculture, charity and the community in Scotland

Ms

Ursula

Lavery MBE

FRAgS

Awarded an MBE in the Kings 2023 New Years Honours list for services to the Agri-Food Industry and to the economy in Northern Ireland

Mr

James

McVicar Morrison BEM

FRAgS

Awarded  BEM in the Kings 2023 New Years Honours list for services to agriculture in Northern Ireland

Mr

Robin

Mercer BEM

FRAgS

Awarded an BEM in the Kings 2024 New Years Honours list for services to Business and to the Economy in Northern Ireland

Mr

Adrian

Morrow 

ARAgS

Awarded an BEM in the Kings 2024 New Years Honours list for voluntary services to habitat conservation and to the community in County Antrim

Ms

Janet

Swadling OBE

ARAgS

Awarded an OBE in the Kings 2023 New Years Honours list for services to farming and education.

Mrs

Suzie

Wilkinson MBE

ARAgS

Awarded MBE in Kings Birthday Honours June 2023 for services to the Farming Community in Somerset

Mr

Philip

Wynn OBE

FRAgS

Awarded OBE in the 2024 New Years Honours for services to farming and the environment.


Awards and Appointments:

 

Title

First Name

Last Name

CARAS

Information

Mrs

Olive

Clarke OBE

FRAgS

Special Recognition Lifetime Achievement British Agriculture at the 2023 British Farming Awards

Mr

Robert

Craig

FRAgS

Appointed Chairman of RABDF. 2023 ‘Farming Champion’ Cumbria Farm Community awards  

Mr

George

Dunn

FRAgS

Awarded Gold Winner for outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture at the 2023 British Farming Awards

Mr

John

Egerton

ARAgS

Appointed President Elect of the Ulster Grassland Society.

Mr

Jake

Freestone

ARAgS

The Inaugural Caroline Drummond award and the 2023 BBC Food and Farming award

Mrs

Milly

Fyfe

ARAgS

Silver award at Northamptonshire Food and Drink awards for Local Food Hero. Plus, Northamptonshire Business person and new start up business of the year

Mr

Aled

Griffiths

FRAgS

Two Lifetime Achievement Awards this year. The first one was at the BEIC & BPC National Egg & Poultry Awards and the second one from the Egg & Poultry Industry Conference

Mr

Stephen

Jacob

ARAgS

Appointed to the position of CEO of The Institute for Agriculture & Horticulture

Mr

Meurig

James

FRAgS

2023 FUW award for outstanding services to the dairy industry in Wales.

Mr

Alastair

Leake

FRAgS

Awarded the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) National Agricultural Award, “in recognition of his leadership of the Allerton Project

Prof

Elizabeth

Magowan

ARAgS

Presidency at British Society of Animal Science (BSAS)

Mr

Billy

Martin OBE

FRAgS

Awarded the Belfast Telegraph Cup for outstanding agricultural achievement

Dr

Steven

Morrison

ARAgS

Appointed a BSAS Trustee

Mrs

Janet

Phillips

FRAgS

Appointed the High Sherriff of Gwynedd in March 2023

Mrs

Paula

Smyth

ARAgS

Received the Farm Safety Affiliate Award (Lantra Ireland) at the Farming Life Awards in Northern Ireland

Mr

John

Thorley

FRAgS

Awarded the Farmers Weekly 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

 Dr

Johnny

Wake

ARAgS

Awarded the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Bledisloe Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to farming. Also awarded Silver award at Northamptonshire Food and Drink awards for Farming and environmental sustainability

Mr

Andrew

Wear

ARAgS

Bisca 2023 Shearing Personality of the year award

Mrs

Heather

Wildman

FRAgS

2023 Adviser of the year Scottish Agriculture Awards

CARAS Awards made in 2023

Associateship:

 

Title

First Name

Last Name

CARAS

Occupation

Sub Title

Mr

Trevor

Alcorn

ARAgS (NI)

Farmer and Dairying Advisor

Helping improve the viability & sustainability of family farms

Mr

Simon

Best

ARAgS (NI)

Farmer

The development of Acton House Farm and my role in Agriculture

Mrs

Caroline

Black

ARAgS (S)

Director Farming Business

A personal contribution to the benefit of Agriculture & Land Based Industries

Mr

Nicholas

Bragg

ARAgS (E)

Farmer and Director

Farming for Renewable Energy

Mrs

Claire

Bragg

ARAgS (E)

Farmer and Accountant

An open mind to change

Earl

Malcolm

Caithness

ARAgS (E)

Back Bench Peer

Persuading Governments To Support Farming and Land Management

Mr

David

Canty

ARAgS (E)

Estate Manager

Why giving back to the industry is so important to me

Mr

Philip

Clarke

ARAgS (NI)

Dairy Farmer

Doing it differently and sharing the experience

Mr

Nicholas

Deane

ARAgS (E)

Farming

Coordinated Response to Water Abstraction Challenges

Mr

Stephen

Dennis

ARAgS (E)

South West Regional Head of FCN

Welfare of Farmers & Farming Communities

Mr

John

Dracup

ARAgS (E)

Farmer

Securing a market for the future

Mr

David

Exwood

ARAgS (E)

Farmer and NFU Vice President

Being A Leading Voice in British Agriculture

Dr

Ian

Frood OBE

ARAgS (E)

Farmer

Contribution to the development and understanding of the Agricultural Industry

Mr

David John

Fulton

ARAgS (NI)

Farmer

Embracing and implementing technology in pig farming

Mrs

Milly

Fyfe

ARAgS (E)

Digital Marketing Expert to Food and Farming Industry

Taking Agriculture and Rural Affairs Marketing and PR to the next level

Ms

Gillian

Gallagher

ARAgS (NI)

CEO of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Better by Far-Training Feed Advisers on The Environmental Challenges Affecting Agriculture in Northern Ireland

Mr

Robert

Gazely

ARAgS (E)

Farming Consultant & Equity Partner

Health & Safety in UK Agriculture

Miss

Olwen

Gormley

ARAgS (NI)

CARRE Senior Dairying Adviser (DAERA NI)

A Personal Contribution to Agriculture in the Western Counties of NI

Mr

Neville, John

Graham

ARAgS (NI)

Head of Farmer Services with Dale Farm

Empowering Farmers through Co-operation

Mr

Joseph (Lamont)

Hair

ARAgS (S)

Farmer and Chairman Wallets Marts

Building a Sustainable Future

Mrs

Joanna (Jo)

Hilditch

ARAgS (E)

MD Whittern Farms

Women in Agriculture – Prime Movers

Mr

Alan

Hopps

ARAgS (NI)

Senior Dairying Development Advisor

Dairy Farming in the Blood

Miss

Jennifer

Hunter

ARAgS (E)

Owner and manager of Fernhill Farm Events and Fernhill Fibre enterprises

Growing and marketing fine wool in native colours

Mrs

Mary

Hunter

ARAgS (NI)

Education (retd.) Proprietor of Agri- Tourism business

A personal contribution to support agriculture, farmers & rural development enabling sustainable rural communities.

Mr

David

James

ARAgS (W)

Farmer

40 Years of Toil- Development of the dairy enterprise at Langdon mill

Mr

Hugh

James

ARAgS (W)

Farmer

Langdon Mill – Continual Development

Mr

Harold

Johnston

ARAgS (NI)

Dairy Farmer

Improving on-farm efficiency through sustainable methods

Mr

Meilir

Jones

ARAgS (W)

Farmer

Integrating technology to supplement good husbandry

Mr

Kevin

Jones

ARAgS (W)

Dairy Farmer

The Economics of Genomics

Mr

Richard John

Joseph

ARAgS (E)

Farmer

Development and implementation of regenerative farming methods

Mrs

Leona

Kane

ARAgS (NI)

SE-Business Owner

Development of Brighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Economusee, Slow Food Ambassador

Prof

Michael

Lee

ARAgS (E)

Deputy Vice Chancellor

Supporting Sustainable Agriculture through Research and Education

Mrs

Rachel

Lewis-Davies

ARAgS (W)

NFU Cymru National Environment and Land Use Adviser

Supporting Welsh Farmers on the pathway to a sustainable future

Mrs

Catherine

Look

ARAgS (E)

Company Director

Support of Rural Organisations

Mr

Stuart

Luxton

ARAgS (E)

Farmer

Farmer turns retailer

Mr

Liam

McCarthy

ARAgS (NI)

Farmer – Supply Chain Manager

The Farm Family: Building Relationships and, Developing Educational Strategies to preserve and maintain Farm Family Model in NI.

Mr

Ciaran

McCaughan

ARAgS (NI)

Teacher and Farmer

Promoting Agriculture & Educational Development in Northern Ireland

Mrs

Karen

Mercer

ARAgS (E)

Rural Property Manager

A lifetime in Farming and Community Service

Mr

Dylan

Morgan

ARAgS (W)

NFU Cymru Head of Policy

Agricultural Policy – Engaging with farmers and building consensus within a farming organisation

Mrs

Helen

Roberts

ARAgS (W)

Development Officer for NSA Cymru-Wales

A Contribution to the British Sheep Industry from a woman of many hats

Mr

Grant

Rogerson

ARAgS (S)

Chief Executive

Grant Rogerson – ANM Group

Mr

Geoff

Sansome

ARAgS (E)

Head of Agriculture, Natural England

Personal Contribution to the development of UK Farming systems and Agricultural Knowledge exchange

Mr

Colin Lindsay

Smith

ARAgS (NI)

Industry Development Manager

The Development of Quality Assurance Standards for the Benefit of the Beef and Sheep Industry

Mrs

Catherine Margaret

Smith

ARAgS (W)

Food Consultant

Leading the pathway to sustainable and secure red meat production in Wales

Mr

Anthony

Snell

ARAgS (E)

Partner/Director of a Farming Business

Committed to producing top quality products on a sustainably run farm

Mrs

Christine

Snell

ARAgS (E)

Business Partner and Director

Advancing ‘People’ within the Agricultural Sector

Mr

Bruce

Steele

ARAgS (NI)

Agronomist

My Life in Agriculture

Mr

Andrew

Wear

ARAgS (E)

Owner Fernhill Farm – Shepherd and Blade Shearer

Blade Shearing as my way of life – Andrew Wear

Dr

Beth

Wells

ARAgS (S)

Knowledge Exchange Specialist-Principal Research Scientist

Advancing livestock efficiency, health and welfare through innovative knowledge exchange

Mrs

Susan

Wilkinson MBE

ARAgS (E)

Farmer and FCN Volunteer

Supporting Farmers in Somerset

Mr

Andrew

Young

ARAgS (S)

Farmer

When one strives for excellence, modern practice and diversification to support the future – Our Story

 

Advancement of Fellowship:

 

Title

First Name

Last Name

CARAS

Occupation

Sub Title

Mrs

Kay

Adam

FRAgS (S)

Farmer

Youth Development Within the Livestock Industry 

Miss

Joy

Alexander

FRAgS(NI)

Civil Servant

A model for Food Innovation Support

Mr

Richard

Anscombe

FRAgS (E)

Chief Executive

Investing in the Next Generation of Farmers and Agricultural Professionals

Prof

Richard

Bennett

FRAgS (E)

Professor of Agricultural Economics

Contribution to Animal Health and Welfare

Mr

Jim

Booth

FRAgS (S)

Head of Co-operative Development

Farm Co-op and Wider Scottish Agricultural Development 

Mrs

Joyce Bannerman

Campbell

FRAgS (S)

Farmer 

Joyce Campbell, Armadale Farm, Thorntons Scottish Sheep Farm

Dr

Celia

Caulcott

FRAgS (E)

Director

Routes to Fruit: Rebuilding the Links Between the UK Research Base and the Agri-Food Industry 

Mr

Rory Henderson

Christie

FRAgS (S)

Farmer

Large Scale Pastoral Dairy Farming Within a Collaborate Supply Chain 

Mr

Thomas

Craig

FRAgS (NI)

Farmer 

Sustainable Farming; Balancing Economic Milk Production with the Environment Using Contemporary Research and Farm trials

Mrs

Nicola

Davies

FRAgS (W)

Translator and Horse Breeder 

The RWAS; An Opportunity for Young People 

Mr

Christopher

Dodds

FRAgS (E)

Auctioneer

Auctioneering and Livestock Work 

Dr

Jimmy

Doherty

FRAgS (E)

Farmer and TV Presenter

Opening the Farm Gate to the Public

Mr

John

Dowell

FRAgS (S)

Farmer

Seed Potatoes and Taking Renewables a Stage Further

Prof

Janet

Dwyer OBE

FRAgS (E)

Professor of Rural Policy

Research to Improve Policies for Sustainable Agriculture 

Mr

John

Egerton

FRAgS (NI)

Farmer

Sustainable Farming in the West of Northern Ireland

Mr

George Edward

Elliott OBE

FRAgS (NI)

Farmer

Farming, Conservation and Education 

Mr

D. Andrew

Evans

FRAgS (W)

Director

A Career in Agriculture Both Sides of The Fence

Mr

Wyn

Evans

FRAgS (W)

Farmer

Learning From The Past to Form A Brighter Future in Agriculture

Mrs

Eunice

Finney

FRAgS (E)

Managing Director 

My Public Engagement for Farming and Business 

Prof

Trevor

Gilliland

FRAgS (NI)

Retired Research Scientist

Research and Development in Temperate Grassland Agriculture 

Mr

Griffith Denley

Jenkins

FRAgS (W)

Farmer

Promoting Welsh Beef Through Supporting Local and National Agricultural Shows

Mr

Aeron

Jenkins

FRAgS (W)

Farmer

Milk from a Grass Based System and Out Wintering of Young Stock

Mrs

Susan

Jones

FRAgS (W)

Director

Progressive Development of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show 

Mr

Joe

Lawson

FRAgS (NI)

Technical Manager 

Poultry Production Systems, Welfare and Marketing 

Mr

W. Robert

Lewis

FRAgS (W)

Farmer 

Adding Value to Upland Beef and Sheep Farming 

Mr

Mark

Logan

FRAgS (NI)

Farm Manager

Securing the Future of a Small Pedigree Dairy Herd on a Country Estate

Mr

Philip

Maddocks

FRAgS (E)

Farmer

Developing an Entrepreneurial Food and Farming Business in Modern Times 

Mr

Richard

Maunder

FRAgS (E)

Trustee

Does the Traditional County Show have a Future 

Mr

Wyn

Owen

FRAgS (W)

Consultant

Continuous Learning and Embracing Change to Create Viable and Sustainable Agricultural Businesses 

Mr

John Stuart

Pawsey

FRAgS (E)

Director

Successful Modern Organic Farming Systems 

Mr

Robert

Powell

FRAgS (W)

Farmer

Better Utilisation of Grass

Miss

Abi

Reader MBE

FRAgS (W)

Dairy Farmer

A Personal Contribution to the Benefit of Agriculture Through Continuous Development, Representation and Promotion 

Mr

Robert

Roebuck

FRAgS (S)

Director

The Beef and Lamb Industry – Building Sound Links 

Mr

John

Scott

FRAgS (S)

Farmer

Innovative Livestock Farming and Beyond

Mr

Robert

Shepherd

FRAgS (E)

Farmer

Progressive Mixed Farming, Conservation and Leadership Development 

Mrs

Sarah

Simpson

FRAgS (S)

Director

An Outsider in to an Insider Out

Mrs

Paula

Smyth

FRAgS (NI)

Manager

Education and Training in the Land-Based Sector

Mrs

Heather

Wildman

FRAgS (S)

Consultant

Influencing and Motivating Change


2024 Dates for the Royal Agricultural Shows and Shows with a CARAS Nations receptions

Balmoral Show

Wednesday 15th to the Saturday 18th May 2024

CARAS NI reception by invitation on Wednesday 15th May 2024

Devon County Show

Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th May 2024

CARAS England Reception by Invitation date and time to be confirmed

Royal Bath and West Show

Thursday 30th May to Saturday 1st June 2024

Royal Cornwall Show

Thursday 6th to the Saturday 8th June 2024

Royal Three Counties Show

Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2024

Royal Cheshire County Show

Tuesday 18th to Wednesday 19th June 2024

Lincolnshire Show

Wednesday 19th to Thursday 20th June 2024

CARAS England Reception by Invitation Wednesday 19th June 2024

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Highland Show

Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 June, 2024.

CARAS Scotland Reception by invitation Thursday 20th June 2024

Royal Norfolk Show

Wednesday 26th to Thursday 27th June 2024

Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show

Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July 2024

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Show

Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th July 2024

CARAS Wales Reception by invitation Tuesday 23rd July 2024