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.
