Chairman’s Comments

MAY I firstly wish everyone a very Happy and Prosperous New Year – we all look forward to a greater degree of normality and certainty during the year ahead.

It is a real privilege and honour to be elected as your Chairman for 2023 and I must thank John Lee on behalf of us all for his great leadership during 2022. His energy and ability to lead the Committee and organise an impressive range of events certainly raised the bar for my year.

John’s trip to Devon was most enjoyable, embracing farming and culture, and a most memorable visit to his home, when the sun shone, his garden was magnificent and all Devon’s high society turned out to greet us. Thank you John for all of your sound advice and friendship.

Positive future

As members we are very fortunate to have such a professional, dedicated Executive Team led by Andrei and Virginia who have all worked exceedingly hard over recent years maintaining the excellent hospitality we have come to expect. The covid years were extremely difficult and I thank you all for your huge effort, as we now look to a bright and positive future.

The Club is most fortunate that the Trustees and members of the various committees, along with the executive team, work together so closely. This is important in maintaining a successful and hospitable Club, particularly with the challenges we face.

All-time high 2022 was a very good year with occupancy and Restaurant reservations at an all-time high. Hopefully, as we move forward, some of the acute staffing shortages the Club has encountered, like other hospitality venues, will be resolved. Hospitality, food processing, farming and horticulture have all had extreme difficulties recruiting staff over the past two years. Do we blame covid (generous furlough scheme) or Brexit?

Last year was a momentous year with the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, our Patron. Her Majesty was a staunch supporter of all things rural and particularly farming and will be greatly missed. We wish King Charles lll all the very best of health and happiness during his reign.

It has been well documented that the past twelve months in farming have been amongst the most challenging for decades. Uncertainty, following Brexit, the continuing effects of covid, and war in Ukraine, caused a rapid rise in inflation that has affected fuel, fertiliser, energy and feed costs. This has put many farming cashflows under extreme pressure. Combined with last year’s serious drought this could, I fear, jeopardise our ability to maintain and increase agricultural production within the UK.

Club Events

I am working closely with the executive team in organising an interesting programme for 2023. A three day visit to Pembrokeshire has been arranged and we are considering a two day trip to Norfolk to coincide with the Royal Norfolk County Show. This could be an opportunity for members to meet on the eastern side of the country who may see Pembrokeshire as a long distance to travel.

The Club plans to visit many UK Agricultural Shows, plus the famous Henley Regatta within the Copas enclosure. A day visit to the Bank of England and Lloyds Insurance building is also planned, and a day to trip to the Greenwich Maritime College Museum and Observatory.

We are renowned as a very hospitable members club and I have had the privilege of being a member since 1990. The Club was my second home during my years as office holder at the NFU and the warmth and camaraderie I encountered will always be fondly remembered. It is the perfect place to meet friends, new and old alike, to discuss the relevant issues of the day in very pleasant surroundings. Please support the Club in the year ahead and I look forward to meeting as many members as possible.