AGM Report • Charles Abel
THE 178th Annual General Meeting chaired by Club Chairman Allan Stevenson was conducted on-line in July. The following is a summary of the Minutes, full copies of which can be obtained by email from the Secretary. Minutes, Club Accounts and Annual Report The Minutes of the 177th AGM were approved and the Report and Audited Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2019 were adopted. Key costs related to asbestos removal, refurbishments after a major water leak and the IT upgrade, noted Mr Stevenson. Statements relating to Covid19 were included on the auditor’s advice. Election of Club Chairman and Vice-Chairman Proposing the election of Keith Redpath as 2021 Chairman, Marcomms Sub-committee chairman Karen Mercer said Keith farms near Kelso, having rationalised a very diverse business into 1,000 acres of arable on contract, a grain storage business and pedigree Limousins.
AGM elects Scottish Chairman for 2021
Keith had been involved in the government and farming response to BSE in the 1990s, Foot and Mouth in 2001 and the National Beef Association and SQBLA/QMS. He set up a bull semen collection centre for global distribution and is a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. At the Club he has chaired the Membership Sub-Committee. His business acumen, farming experience, contacts and gentlemanly persona made him an excellent choice as Club Chairman. Seconding the proposal, Vice President Barclay Forrest OBE said Keith was an outstanding personality in business and socially, never frightened to stand up for the good cause he is representing. He is married to The Rev Grace Redpath, Associate Priest in Kelso Episcopal Church, who will be a wonderful strength as Chairman’s Wife. They have three married daughters. The proposal was approved. Proposing the election of John Lee OBE DL as 2021 Vice-Chairman Membership SubCommittee Chairman Ian Bell OBE said John has lived and farmed at Shobrooke, near Crediton all his life, and was Chairman of The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs before leading the European Young Farmer movement. He has been involved with many organisations, including Devon County Agricultural Association and Devon County Show, Westpoint Centre, Bicton College, FACE, Mole Avon Trading, and Mid-Devon Show. Serving as a Ministerial EU CAP adviser, John chaired the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel and DEFRA’s Sustainable Food & Farming Strategy. He is a Member of Exeter Cathedral Council, has served as High Sheriff of Devon and is Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.
2021 Chairman Keith Redpath (left) and Vice-Chairman John Lee
Seconding the proposal John Hardman commended John’s pragmatism, good business sense, interpersonal skills and dry humour. The proposal was approved. Honorary Treasurer Nick Helme proposed the re-election of Richard Maunder as 2021 Honorary Treasurer, which was seconded by Andrew Brown JP, and approved. Auditors The Chairman and Committee recommended haysmacintyre continue in office, which was agreed.
“Keith has a passion for supporting the development of young people in agriculture through LANTRA and CARAS in Scotland.”
Vote of Thanks Bob Partridge proposed a motion: “For a vote of thanks to the Team of the Farmers Club who have worked hard during extraordinary times, together with a vote of confidence that their efforts will help return the Club to function as normally as possible, as soon as possible”. The motion was welcomed. www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
