Kent County Agricultural Society Award Long Serving Stewards
The Kent County Agricultural Society, organisers of the Kent County Show thanked its long serving volunteers with several awards and trophies at the Annual General Meeting of the Society, attended by sixty members including Society President, The Lord Colgrain.
The President’s and Vice President’s Awards, the Society’s most prestigious decorations, were awarded to Roz Day and Mary Anthony respectively. Both Mary and Roz have supported the Society for over 30 years and have been instrumental in many of the positive changes at the Showground and the Kent County Show during their time as volunteers. Roz Day has served as Chairman of the Education Committee, Chief Steward of the Garden Life Marquee and as a Board Director whilst Mary Anthony has been an Equine Steward, Board Director and more recently the Vice Chair of the Equine Committee.
Special thanks and a set of engraved glassed were given to Roy Keeler who had celebrated 50 years of service to the Society. Roy started volunteering for the Society when it first moved to the showground in 1964 and was part of the team that helped plant Murrain Wood and shape the showground as it is seen today. During Roy’s professional career, he worked at Viscount Falmouth estate for 55 years, eventually becoming Head Forester. Roy still volunteers and exhibits at the Kent County Show every year, now with the help of his sons, David and Chris.
Roy’s outstanding contribution to the Kent County Show has been recognised with the RD Keeler Trophy, named in his honour. The award recognises the commitment shown by a young individual based in Kent who is completing the practical or theoretical study of woodland and forestry related subjects.
Lucy Hegarty, Show Manager of the Kent County Show said ‘Roy’s dedication and support of the Kent County Agricultural Society, Kent Showground and Kent County Show over the last 50 years has been exceptional and we thank him for everything he has and continues to do. Our stewards form the back bone of the Society and Show, providing knowledge, support and hands on assistance throughout the year, culminating in the annual Kent County Show in July.’
The Society recognised other stewards who had reached significant service anniversaries. Sarah Carr was thanked for 10 years of service in the Heritage Vintage Vehicle section, James Edwards and Tim Derouet were awarded for 20 years service to the Food Tent, Margot Bonny and Ralph Stevens received awards for 30 years volunteering in the Equine section and Traffic and Equipment respectively. 40 year service
awards were given to Pat Softley and Mary Tyrell for their dedication to the Goat section and Jill Skinner for her support in the Equine section.
The Kent County Show will be held on 6, 7, 8 July 2018 and will feature hundreds of livestock and equine competitions, trade stands, food halls, vintage vehicles, heavy horse village, the beautiful woodland area and the newly located Garden Life Marquee. The main ring attraction is the Household Cavalry Musical Ride who will perform twice a day in the main Astor Ring.
If anyone is interesting in finding out more about volunteering for the Kent County Agricultural Society and the Kent County Show, please contact Meghan Rice-Wilson on 01622 633057 or email meghan@kentshowground.co.uk.
Press Contact:
Becky Parrock
becky@kentshowground.co.uk
01622 633058
