ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE COMMONWEALTH - MEMBERS’ NEWSLETTER

Welcome from Simon Orpwood, Honorary Press Secretary

It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her 70 year reign, she gave great support to our founder His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. We send our deepest Condolences to our President H.R.H. The Princess Royal and all the Royal Family as they mourn their loss and reflect on the remarkable legacy that she leaves behind.

Since the last newsletter, we have seen many shows here in the UK, and the EKKA in Queensland which was well attended and did a very good job of showing people where their food comes from. The Adelaide Show has just finished. Here in the UK, I attended the Border Union Ram Sale with a friend from Australia where 3,626 rams were sold in 15 rings simultaneously selling to an average of £1,000 per ram.

We have the Melbourne Royal Show taking place later this month (23/09-02/10), and I look forward to attending the Christchurch Show in New Zealand.

RASC CEO Session
On 26th August, we were delighted to be able to host a Zoom session for CEOs of agricultural show and fair societies from across the globe on the theme of ‘Back in Action for 2022 – Let’s Discuss’.

Open to both RASC members and non-members, this informal session was an opportunity to hear from four significant players within our show world and for an open discussion on how the past couple of years have been and the challenges and opportunities now facing such organisations. Fascinating insights from Kent Hojem (Washington State Fair), Steve Hughson (Royal Welsh Agricultural Society), Terry Strachan (Royal Agricultural Society of Natal) and Darryl Jeffrey (Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales) led to some great questions and a definite recognition that the current issues (often relating to equipment supply and labour shortage problems) are very much a world-wide phenomenon.

For those involved in producing some of the world’s top events, it is good to share concerns and hopefully provide contacts and insights that help support all involved in our rather specialist sphere.
On a positive note, it was fabulous to hear that show and fair events are, by and large, seeing excellent attendance levels and the support of communities who are obviously delighted to see their return.

Showcasing Collaboration

Agri-Expo, who are Members of the RASC, were delighted to welcome the Honorary Secretary of the RASC, Michael Lambert, to the Western Cape last week. The RASC is the voice of agriculture in the Commonwealth working closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat and its associated bodies. Agri-Expo introduced Michael to some of their partners, showcasing examples of collaboration between Agri-Expo and the broader agricultural sector. A huge thank you to the Minister of Agriculture in the Western Cape, Dr Ivan Meyer, !Xhariep Agricultural Writers SA, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Groote Post Vineyards and Hoër Landbouskool Boland/Boland Agricultural School for their hospitality and partnership.

2022 Perth Royal Show

Taking place from 24th September right through until 1st October, the ever-popular Perth Royal Show is back. Spread across eight days, it will be the highlight event for Spring and offers a wealth of attractions, entertainment and quality of livestock and agriculture. From all at the RASC, we wish the team at Perth Royal Show a successful 2022 event. To learn more, head to their website using the link below:
https://perthroyalshow.com.au

Meet The Trustee - Simon Orpwood
What is your role within the RASC?
I am a Trustee and the Honorary Press Secretary for the RASC. I have been a trustee of RASC since 2010 and Press Officer since Philip Bolham retired 2012.
Tell us about your history and background...
I was born at Ewelme in South Oxfordshire where my family have farmed for many years. I went to school at Kingham Hill on the Oxfordshire-Gloucestershire border - a school which owned 3,000 acres of land. I was chairman of the school Young Farmers'. After school I went to Moulton Agricultural College, after which I came home and became vice chairman of Henley Young Farmers. In 1973, I went to Australia only meant to stay 6 months, but stayed 18 months! I travelled all over Australia, attending the Royal Easter Show in Sydney and the Melbourne Show. I spent two months in New Zealand where I attended the Christchurch Show.
I joined the Farmers' Club under 30s in 1969 and was on the under 30s committee. I also did 6 years on the main committee of the Farmers' Club. I spoke at the Oxford Farming Conference in 1982 - at the time the youngest person to speak.

When I came back from Australia I kept outdoor pigs on an arable farmers land. I was a founding director of Lys Mill company which made pig food. I married Caroline in 1982 and we bought a farm in Gloucestershire near her home. We moved to Northumberland in 1987 where we have two farms. I was master of the College Valley North Northumberland Hunt for 16 seasons.

We have 3 boys: our eldest is married with 2 boys and farms in the South Island of New Zealand; our second son helps with the farm property and works for an insurance broker; our third son is married and is an amateur jump jockey and his wife is an event rider.

Now, I am Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Royal Smithfield Club - I have held quite a few chief steward positions. I was previously Vice Chairman of Glendale Agricultural Society and am now Vice President.

What does the RASC mean to you and why is it important?
The RASC is the most wonderful society to bring people together from around the Commonwealth and to learn from each other. The Next Generation group of the RASC has done so much to give young people an opportunity, and I look forward to seeing the future of the RASC.

To join or find out more about the RASC see www.therasc.com

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