From the President
It is an honour and a privilege to serve as President of this year’s Stokesley Show and also quite humbling when I think of all the great personalities who have been presidents in the past.
My connections with this part of North Yorkshire go back longer than I care to remember, having grown up on my family’s farm overlooking Rievaulx Abbey, on the edge of the North York Moors.
I would love to say that I have fond memories of visiting the Stokesley Show as a child but unfortunately it always fell mid-week and, even though the majority of my friends played “hooky,” my parents always insisted we attend school.
Of course that didn’t stop my Father, Sydney, taking part and winning numerous awards for his beef cattle, butchers’ lamb and wheat and barley too. I am very proud that the Fairburn farming tradition continues in the form of my eldest brother Frederick, who farms the land that I grew up on, and also my brother, Jonathan, who farms nearby. In fact, Frederick is hoping to enter cattle in this year’s show but his first grandchild is due on the same day so his plans could well be scuppered by the arrival of the next generation of Fairburn farmers!
Although it’s been a while since I last drove a tractor or mucked out, my passion for rural life is as strong now as it has ever been and I feel very fortunate that my role with the CLA enables me to make a real difference to the lives of landowners and farmers throughout the region. It is for this work that I was thrilled to be awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours.
As I write, the future shape of agriculture in the UK is being moulded by decision makers in the European Union and the CLA is playing a hugely influential role in ensuring that we continue to get as much money from the Common Agricultural Policy budget as possible to support rural interest.
It’s a little known fact that the majority of CLA members are quite small landowners with less than 200 acres and it is working with these farmers on the ground that gives me the most pleasure. Whether it’s helping individuals to take on big utility companies and win, gain planning permission for a new development or access funding for a diversification project, the satisfaction of helping to support the local rural economy is always there.
So I am very much looking forward to this year’s Stokesley Show where I will have the opportunity to catch up with the many friends and colleagues I have made over the years. I hope you enjoy the day as much as I will.
Dorothy Fairburn MBE
Message from the Chairman
As the 2011 show date rapidly approaches, most of the preparation is well under way and unbelievably this usually starts in November of the previous year. This year I wish to thank the army of volunteers we at Stokesley Agricultural Society are lucky to embrace. The Stewards on the field, the Officers of the Show Council, the members of The Show, the Vice President and the numerous volunteers and suppliers whom come together to make our show day the success we all enjoy.
May I also thank everyone who is involved in the show preparation as without each and every person our show would not happen, please do not forget Stokesley Agricultural Show is a day to enjoy, to catch up with old friends and make new ones, a day to enjoy all of the exhibits, displays and attractions. This year we are honoured to welcome Miss Dorothy Fairburn MBE as our president, Dorothy is the Northern Director of the CLA, a huge supporter of agriculture and rural businesses. We wish Dorothy all the best for her big day and I am sure we will make her most welcome.
Our main ring attraction this year is ‘Rocking Horse Productions’ stunt riding team, should anyone wish to have a sneak preview of this amazing spectacle , take a look at their website as they look fantastic!
You may recall that in 2010 we at Stokesley Agricultural Society agreed to donate monies received from the car park charges (applied to the mill wheel and Showfield car parks) to volunteer groups / charities as agreed by the show council. This year I am extremely pleased to inform you that we wish to make a donation to Stokesley Scout Group. Stokesley Scouts assist on show day in the car parks and other duties around the field - they have been involved with the show for many years, we believe it is important to assist other local groups in whatever way possible. The cheque will be presented in the Main Ring prior to the trophy ceremony.
Neal Waters.
