The next meeting of Club Trustees is due to take place in London on Monday 24th February 2025. Please get in touch with Secretary Richard Saunders if there is any item you would like to raise. E: richard@royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk
PROPOSED MEMBERS COUNTRY MEETING JUNE 2025 - NORTHUMBERLAND
A Members Country Meeting is being planned for June next year in Northumberland around the time of the Royal Highland Show which takes place Thurs 19th to Sun 22nd June 2025. It is therefore proposed we ‘tag onto’ the end of the Highland so Members do not have to make an extra journey, likely commencing on Sunday 22nd June to include a two-night hotel stay.
Members & Guests pictured at the last MCM in Shropshire in 2019
Provisional Itinerary
Day One (Sun 22nd June) Arrival, visit pm, welcome drinks & dinner. Overnight
Day Two (Mon 23rd June) Visit am, lunch, visit pm, dinner. Overnight
Day Three (Tues 24th June) Breakfast and departure
Expressions of interest, please, to Secretary Richard Saunders by 31st January 2025
2024 is the 225th Anniversary of the first Smithfield Show held at the Dolphin Yard at Wootton's Livery Stables adjacent to Smithfield market on the first Monday of December 1799. 2024 also marks 20 years since the final London show at Earl's Court.
The Club will be holding a lunch in the Farmers Suite at the Farmers Club, 3 Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EL (nearest tube - Embankment) on Weds 11th December from 11.30-2.30pm. This is priced at £65pp to include drinks on arrival, a two-course sit-down hot buffet, wine on table and tea/coffee. Ken Fletcher, former editor of The Scottish Farmer, has agreed to recount a few anecdotes of times past. Please note that places are limited to 50.
Being held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Belfast, the seventh Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championships includes the presentation of the Club’s Duke of Bedford trophy to the Champion Calf.
Entries close 25th October. See www.beefandlamb.org.uk.
The Scottish National Fatstock Club hosts the two-day LiveScot at Lanark Agricultural Centre. The event incorporates a pedigree and commercial primestock show alongside the Royal Smithfield Club’s Beef Ribs and Saddles of Lamb competitions which is being sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland and supported by John Scott Meats. Judge is Tom Courts of Tom Courts Butchers. Entries close 25th October. Please click HERE for schedule (p25); and click HERE for entry form (p15). See www.fatstockclub.co.uk
The English Winter Fair, which is organised by the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society and held annually at the Staffordshire County Showground, will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2024. The Show, which has previously been called “The Birmingham Fatstock Show (when held in Bingley Hall in Birmingham) then the “National Primestock Show” before it became the “English Winter Fair”, is a specialist event for the agricultural and butchery industries. Despite the name changes over the years the objective of the Show has remained the same – to promote the best of British Livestock. In consequence, the Show has competitions for live cattle, sheep and pigs together with competitions for beef, pork and lamb carcases as well as poultry. The Show concludes with an auction of both the livestock and carcasses the highlight of which is the sale of the Supreme Beef Champion. Moreover, as we realise the importance of encouraging the next generation of livestock farmers, we are proud to host the National Stock Judging & Carcase Judging Competitions for the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs which attracts over two hundred entrants from across the country.
The English Winter Fair also includes the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions, presentation of The Duke of Norfolk trophy, Young Farmers award and RABI trophy. We are delighted that Baroness Hazel Byford will be Guest of Honour and present a number of awards on the Sunday. Schedule and entry forms including online entry can be found at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk. Please click HERE for the Ribs & Saddles schedule; and HERE for the entry form. Ribs and Saddles entries close 13th November (entries received after 4th November will not be included in the catalogue). Judge is Mr S Woolley, Sheffield.
The RSC will again be presenting a trophy to support the Young Handlers competition at this year's Stars of the Future. The Young Handlers competition takes place on the evening of Fri 8th November followed on the Saturday by the Stars of the Future Calf Show at United Auctions, Stirling. The YH competition is open to ages 11-21 and will be judged by Jason & Sarah Wareham. Search Stars of the Future Calf Show on Facebook. Entries close 25 October.
AgriFest South-West, organised by the Devon County Agricultural Association, is being held at Westpoint, Exeter, on Wednesday 6 November with the Club presenting trophies for the Champion Pair of Lambs and the Primestock Cattle Champion. Entries close 13-28 October depending on section you are entering.
The Club will be presenting the James Stobo Perpetual Trophy to the Supreme Cattle Champion for the first time at H&H’s Agri Expo being held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 1st November. RSC Chairman, Simon Orpwood, says: "It is fitting in our 225th Anniversary year that the Club is able to present such a prestigious trophy at one of the UK's premier agricultural events. Jim Stobo, who passed away last year aged 88, was a keen supporter of the Club and beef farming so Trustees are delighted to award the James Stobo Perpetual Trophy to the Supreme Cattle Champion in his honour."
James (Jim) Stobo CBE, DL, FRAgS of Knapdene House, Nabdean, Berwick-upon-Tweed served as Member of Council on three occasions (1965-68, 1970-72 and 1975-80) and as Club Chairman 1979/80. A highlight was officiating as Overall Cattle Championship Judge at the 1969 Smithfield Show. Underlining his life-long support of the RSC, Jim was Chief Sheep Steward in 1975 and Chief Cattle Steward 1976-78. Elected Vice President in 1986, he served as Club President 1994-95. See News section on our website for extended piece about the trophy and event.
See www.borderwayagriexpo.uk
June 20th-27th 2024 will see the 30th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference taking place in Scotland and Edinburgh, with the kind support of the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland.
As part of this, the Royal Smithfield Club will be supporting a Next Generation (NG) delegate. The RASC NG is a forum for bringing together people under the age of 40 from across the globe, who share a common interest and passion for agriculture. To apply for the Club’s NG bursary award, please click HERE.
Exciting News: 2024 Conference Programme Unveiled!
We are thrilled to bring you exciting news and further information about the upcoming 30th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference, set to take place in the picturesque city of Edinburgh from 20th to 27th June 2024.
This landmark event will gather speakers, sessions, and topics from across the Commonwealth, sharing stories and innovations that will leave you inspired.
One of the most thrilling aspects of the conference is our partnership with the Royal Highland Show, a prestigious event organised by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, drawing more than 200,000 attendees over the course of three days every year. As part of the RASC Conference, you will have the chance to attend and experience the event firsthand and as a sneak preview…our Gala Dinner will take place in their stunning members pavilion, looking over the main ring.
The 2024 conference theme is “Connecting the Commonwealth” and will offer four key sessions, as well as our CEO and Next Generation programme:
1. RELEVANT - Why do societies do, what they do? The purpose of societies to their members, their country and to the Commonwealth.
2. ADAPTABLE - How do societies pivot and adapt to new legislation, policy changes, industry, and member demands.
3. SUSTAINABLE - What do societies need to do to be sustainable for the future. Financially, environmentally, society (people).
4. CONNECTED - How do people connect societies, rural and agricultural economies, communities, and the Commonwealth.
Please click HERE for the full programme. The conference promises to be a remarkable gathering of agricultural visionaries, innovators, and advocates. To register your interest, please email Rebecca Maitland, RASC Administrator, at rebecca@therasc.com.
This year’s AMCM will be held by Zoom on 13 December from 5pm to 5.30pm. Agenda and supporting paperwork has been emailed to Members. If you have not received this, please get in touch with RSC Secretary Richard Saunders richard@royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on the 13th - all welcome!
The Scottish National Fatstock Club hosts the two-day LiveScot at Lanark Agricultural Centre. The event incorporates a pedigree and commercial primestock show alongside the Royal Smithfield Club’s Beef Ribs and Saddles of Lamb competitions which is being sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland and supported by John Scott Meats. Judge is Dan Gilmour of John Gilmour Butchers. Entries close 27 October. Click HERE for schedule and entry form. See www.fatstockclub.co.uk
Being held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Belfast, the sixth Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championships includes the presentation of the Club’s Duke of Bedford trophy to the Champion Calf.
Entries close 31 October. See www.beefandlamb.org.uk.
The English Winter Fair takes place at the Staffordshire Showground and includes the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions, presentation of The Duke of Norfolk trophy, Young Farmers award and RABI trophy. Click HERE for schedule and HERE for entry form - there is also online entry at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk. Ribs and Saddles entries close 15 November (entries received after 6 November will not be included in the catalogue).
The RSC will again be presenting a trophy to support the Young Handlers competition at this year's Stars of the Future. The Young Handlers competition takes place on the evening of Fri 10th November followed on the Saturday by the Stars of the Future Calf Show at United Auctions, Stirling. The YH competition is open to ages 11-21 and will be judged by Teresa Wilson. Search Stars of the Future Calf Show on Facebook. Entries close 25 October.
AgriFest South-West organised by the Devon County Agricultural Association is being held at Westpoint, Exeter, on Wednesday 8 November with the Club presenting trophies for the Champion Pair of Lambs and the Primestock Cattle Champion.
he Royal Highland Show is an annual event, showcasing the best of food, farming and rural life at Ingliston in Edinburgh. This year the Royal Highland hosts a meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth
RSC Trustees next meet on Thurs 9th February
The Scottish National Fatstock Club again hosts the two-day LiveScot event at Lanark Agricultural Centre at the end of November. It incorporates a pedigree and commercial primestock show alongside the Royal Smithfield Club’s Beef Ribs and Saddles of Lamb competitions which is supported by Hugh Black Butchers & Quality Meat Scotland. Please click HERE for the schedule (Smithfield Ribs & Saddles p25) and HERE for the entry form (p15). Entries close 28 October.
Being held in Belfast, the Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championships includes the presentation of the Club’s Duke of Bedford trophy to the Champion Calf.
The annual Nuffield Conference takes place at Cardiff City Hall, Cardiff, Wales 22-24 November. Early bird booking discount ends 3 September. More information at www.nuffieldscholar.org
A highlight of the winter fatstock season, the English Winter Fair goes ahead again at the Staffordshire Showground and includes the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions, presentation of The Duke of Norfolk trophy, Young Farmers award and RABI trophy. The Club’s Annual Meeting of Club Members will also take p-lace at 2pm on the Sunday in the President’s Suite. Please click HERE for the schedule and HERE for the entry form. Good luck! For further information, kindly visit www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk
The Royal Smithfield Club is delighted to be supporting the Young Handlers competition at this year's Stars of the Future. The Young Handlers competition takes place Fri 11th November followed on the Saturday by the Stars of the Future Calf Show at United Auctions, Stirling. The YH competition is open to ages 11-21 and will be judged by Catherine McKechnie.
Due to be held at Westpoint, Exeter with the RSC presenting trophies for the Champion Pair of Lambs and the Primestock Cattle Champion.
The UK’s major national sheep expo, the ‘Sheep Event ‘ organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA), is held every two years in Malvern. Preceded by flock visits to a mix of pedigree and commercial enterprises and then an industry gala dinner on the Wednesday, the Thursday provides a one-day showcase of genetics, technology, health, nutrition and performance - all ‘under one roof’. More at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events
The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Ltd will be held at the Royal Norfolk Show Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0TT at 12:30PM on Wednesday 29th June 2022. On Tuesday 28th June, the RASC will be holding a tour at the Food Enterprise Park and Honingham Thorpe Farms and Business Centre, followed by lunch at The Goat Shed kitchen and farm shop. The Greater Norwich Food Enterprise Zone encompasses the Royal Norfolk Showground, Easton Agricultural College, and the Food Enterprise Park (FEP). The FEP is owned by Honingham Thorpe Farms and the day will be based within a small area with interesting discussions and visits. The Tour and Lunch (including transport) will be charged at £50 per person. Please register your interest with Rebecca by Wednesday 8th June via email: rebecca@therasc.com.
The National Beef Association’s 2022 Beef Expo will be held at Darlington Farmers Auction Market, Humbleton Park, DL2 2XX on Saturday the 28th May 2022. Bringing together the very best in British commercial and pedigree cattle, equipment, knowledge-sharing, and show classes for everyone involved in the industry.. Regularly attracting international visitors and exhibitors from around UK, the NBA Beef Expo is the number one showcase for the British beef sector, and is held at a different venue in the UK each year.
The OFC will return to Oxford from 5 to 7 January 2022 bringing together speakers from across the world, who will inspire, challenge and inform your thinking. Further information at www.ofc.org.uk
Wednesday 5 January . Our event will start at mid-day with a series of pre-conference fringes, delivered and organised by various organisations who align with the conference theme.
Thursday 6 January. Bringing together the sought after political speakers and a few you might not expect, the conference will formally start on Thursday by looking at global agriculture. The first day will also include the Frank Parkinson and Science lectures, inspiring farmers and OFC debate. We are working to include one final panel session, linked to supply chains.
Friday 7 January. The second day of the conference will take a slightly different format, presenting individual inspiring speakers throughout the morning including the return of a well-known face from 2019 to share the next part of an important strategy. The conference will close at lunchtime, allowing you time to continue your discussions or head home for the weekend.
Lanark Agricultural Centre is home to the Scottish National Fat Stock Club’s LiveScot event which includes the Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddles of Lamb competitions. www.fatstockclub.co.uk. Entries close Friday 29th October. For entry schedule, please click HERE.
The Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championships take place at the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park, to include the presentation of the Club’s trophy to the Champion Calf. Please click HERE for prize schedule. Entries close Fri 29th October. You can also find out more details on the show and sale here https://www.beefandlamb.org.uk/
