Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations

OFFICERS FOR 2023-2024

January 2023

PATRON:

HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO

CHAIRMAN:

David Tite (Driffield)

VICE CHAIRMAN:

Denis Dooley (New Forest)

COUNCIL:

Alison Baylis (Bucks County)

Rhonda Geary (Royal Ulster) [Co-Opted]

Richard Heath (Moreton in Marsh)

Corrie Ince (South of England Shows)

Christine Knipe (Westmorland)

Tim Ledbury (North Somerset)

Sam Mackenzie-Green (Yeovil Agricultural Society)

Mared Rand Jones (Wales YFC)

Chris Riddle (Royal Cornwall)

David Tennant (Royal Highland)

SECRETARY:

Paul Hooper OBE

T: 07711 205833

E: PJH@asao.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY:

Di Walton, PO Box 999, Worcester, WR4 4LU

T: 07704 146375

E: info@asao.co.uk www.asao.co.uk

Charity Registration Number: 1023932

Company Limited by Guarantee

Registration Number: 2758883

I started last year’s introduction with the words – ‘’Well what a year 2022 will be’’ and how this has run true – Shows have been re born with large attendances from the Great British Public – excellent support from the competitive exhibitors in many sections with many new and returning exhibitors in our tradestands throughout the season.

It’s very noticeable that there have also been many changes in the positions of Secretary or other administrative roles within our members – as an association we are here to help and to provide guidance and signposting for all our members, so please make sure that we have your correct details to receive the regular mailchimps and details of the monthly ZOOM meetings. If you would like to add further email addresses from your team so others can receive these notifications please get in touch with Di via info@ASAO.co.uk

The Council of the association are currently reviewing our operations and over the next few months you will see changes appearing that will help us deliver more to you, this includes looking at what we deliver and how we do this. Thank you to all those that completed the recent surveys.

As we undertake this review we strive to continue communication with and obtain the due recognition at Ministerial level within DEFRA and other agencies through various channels – our relationship with the programme and project teams within the ministries/ agencies continues to be very informative and helpful with regards issues that will have an effect on the industry.

Our Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO continues to be supportive of our activities and has undertaken visits to our Shows during the year and as I write this foreword is considering the applications for visits in 2023.

2023 is also the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Association. As you will already be aware we are undertaking some special projects for 2023 –Champion of Champions being the first of these, as well as the partnership between the BSPS, BSHA and London International Horse Show and the ASAO, this is a very new initiative and will involve our member shows from across the UK.

Lastly as my term of Office as Chairman of your association and also my term on Council comes to an end I would like to express my thanks to the Show Family for the support you have given me in this role and of course also to the Council and the Secretariat of Paul Hooper and Di Walton and wish you all every success with your 2023 shows and into the future.

David Tite, ASAO Chairman

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David Tite – ASAO Chairman

David Tite is the Chief Executive of Driffield Agricultural Society, based in the East Riding of Yorkshire. He runs the Driffield Show and the Society’s Showground. David has been involved with the Society for over 30 years, coming from a furniture design background and after teaching design to degree level for over 7 years he took on the role of Chief Executive in 2006. Leading on the development of the Society’s Schools Food and Farming Eduction Day, the construction of its new Events Centre and facilities whilst developing its year round activity on site and more recently designing a flood management system to protect the showground for generations to come. He is married to Cara, they enjoy mountain biking, walking the Yorkshire Wolds and David continues to make furniture in his free time.

Email: david@driffieldshowground.co.uk

Denis Dooley – ASAO Vice Chairman

Denis Dooley is the Chief Executive of the New Forest Agricultural Show Society, organisers of the New Forest & Hampshire County Show, which is held in July each year. Following a degree in Equine Business Management, Denis joined the Society in 2006 and was appointed Chief Executive in 2011. Denis has been instrumental in the creation of the Next Generation project which involves young people in all areas of the Society to keep the Show in safe hands for many years to come. Outside of work Denis is married to Johanna and has two children – Bella and Jack, he enjoys cycling, visiting family and walking his Labrador, Woody.

Email: denis@newforestshow.co.uk

Paul Hooper OBE – ASAO Secretary

Paul Hooper OBE Was the Society Secretary for the Royal Bath & West of England Society retiring from the Society in 2020 after 43 years service. A well-known figure throughout the shows industry. He began his career in 1977 and is experienced in most aspects of agricultural and country show organisation at national level. In 2015, he was awarded an OBE in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours. Paul enjoys listening to military music in his spare time.

Email: PJH@asao.co.uk

Diana

Walton – ASAO Membership Secretary

Growing up, shows were in Di’s blood and in 2009 she left her career as a Rural Chartered Surveyor and joined the Three Counties Agricultural Society in the livestock department. She was promoted to Head of Shows in 2016 managing a range of shows from the flagship Royal Three Counties Show to RHS Malvern Spring Festival and Malvern Autumn Show. In 2022 Diana joined Hanbury Countryside Show Society as Show Manager alongside her ASAO Membership Secretary role.

Email: info@asao.co.uk

Alison

Baylis

Alison has been the Show Secretary of Bucks County Agricultural Association since 2001 and appointed onto the ASAO Council in 2019. Alison is the ASAO’s Regional Mentoring Champion.

Email: alison@buckscountyshow.co.uk

Rhonda Geary (Co-opted)

Rhonda is the Operations Director for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and Balmoral Show Rhonda is also the current Secretary of the Northern Ireland Shows Association. Rhonda is the ASAO’s Regional Champion for Northern Ireland.

Email: rhonda@ruas.org.uk

Richard Heath

Showground Director for the Moreton-in-Marsh Show; a traditional one-day show held in the heart of the Cotswolds on the first Saturday in September. Moreton Show had an attendance of over 23,000 in 2022. Richard became involved with organising agricultural shows whilst studying bio-veterinary science at Harper Adams University. Becoming a Director and Trustee of the Hanbury Countryside Show in Worcestershire. Previously employed by the Three Counties Agricultural Society, working principally on the Royal Three Counties Show. Richard has attended various midlands agricultural shows year after year from a young age, often exhibiting his rare breed poultry. Exhibiting poultry engaged the development of a passion for agricultural shows. Sponsorship collection, trade stands and booking contractors form a large part of Richards role at Moreton Show.

Email: showground@moretonshow.co.uk

Corrie Ince

Corrie has been working in events since 2006, starting off with the Edenbridge & Oxted Show, where she was involved in all aspects of show organising. In 2012 she moved to working in more commercial events for a Brighton based manufacturing company, organising their events in the UK and Internationally. In 2016 she moved back into the “show business” and become Sales & operations Manager at the South of England Agricultural Society, responsible for booking and managing of trade stands and content for their 4 annual shows. Living only a few miles away from the showground all her life, she had grown up around the show, and having attended pretty much every year since childhood, in some guise or other, whether it be as a visitor or competitor, she has had a life long affinity and passion for the show. In July 2020 she become Show Director at the South of England, with overall coordination and management of the 4 shows. Corrie was thrown very much in at the deep end and tasked with running two shows at the end of 2020, following all the government guidelines and required safety measures and procedures. Together with her amazing team of staff and stewards this resulted in 2 very successful and safe events. Outside of work Corrie other passion in life is horse riding, having ridden and competed in many different disciplines from an early age.

Christine Knipe

Email: Corrie@seas.org.uk

Christine Knipe has been Chief Executive of Westmorland County Agricultural Society since 2005. Married to David, the Knipes live on their upland sheep, beef and poultry farm in central Cumbria. Christine is a former Chairman of the ASAO, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies, a Trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, secretary for the North West Federation of Show Societies and Chairman of the national Access to Farms partnership. She is also ASAO’s Education Champion and is keen to develop educational opportunities to promote agriculture within our shows and events.

Email: manager@westmorland.org.uk

Tim Ledbury

I have been Secretary of the North Somerset Agricultural Society since 2008, responsible for the delivery of our annual Agricultural Show which is one day event held on the first bank holiday in May, the North Somerset Ploughing Match which takes place on the first Sunday in September and the development of a large educational day for Key Stage 2 pupils, as well numerous other smaller events. I am responsible for the management of the Showground and we are currently looking at ways to utilise this asset to create additional income for the Society to further its charitable activity. I also run a country educational charity called FarmLink which is active within Somerset, Staffordshire, Devon and Cornwall delivering its programme to over 42,000 pupils during the course of the last academic year, the majority of these are primary students. We are currently developing a FarmLink programme for secondary schools and this will be launched at the start of the next academic year. Email: tim@nsas.org.uk

Sam Mackenzie-Green

Sam Mackenzie-Green is the Show Manager for Yeovil Agricultural Society and Show Consultant for Devon County Show having run county shows for over 20 years including Devon County Show, Dorset County Show and Yeovil Show. As Learning Day Champion, Sam is keen to promote best practice and information sharing across the industry.

Email: info@yeovilshowground.co.uk

Mared Rand Jones

Mared is a dairy farmer’s daughter from Lampeter in Ceredigion, West Wales. Mared has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Wales Federation of Young Farmers Clubs. Mared previously worked as Head of Operations for Royal Welsh Agriculture Society for almost 5 years. Her role involved organising contractors, the livestock, shearing and tradestand sections for the Royal Welsh Show and lead the Royal Welsh Winter Fair. Mared also lead on the Welsh ASAO and organise the annual Welsh Conference at the Royal Welsh showground. She was honoured to lead a small team of staff to organise a National ASAO Conference in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Mared attended numerous shows when working as Development Officer for Ceredigion Young Farmers Clubs and then as a County Executive Officer for Farmers Union of Wales. Mared is a passionate about Agriculture Shows, this interest started with her local show at Lampeter and have been an active member of Lampeter Agriculture Show for over 20 years and have been a Horse Steward since the age of 10. Mared has recently been invited to join the Lampeter Stallion Committee.

Email: prifweithredwr@yfc-wales.org.uk

Christopher Riddle

Chris Riddle has been Secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association since 1989 and is only the ninth person to hold this position since the organisation was founded in 1793. He is married to Thelma and has two children – Emma and Harry and Emma is also part of the RCAA’s team where she is Pavilion Centre Manager. Chris is a former Chairman of the ASAO and a former Trustee and National Chairman of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. He is also a Trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, Deputy Chairman, Trustee and Honorary Life Member of the Royal Smithfield Club and Honorary Treasurer of The Farmers Club as well as being an office holder with various other organisations.

Email: ChristopherRiddle@royalcornwall.co.uk

David Tennant

David has worked for the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland for 13 years beginning as an annual temporary member of staff before becoming permanently employed in 2015 and moving into his current position of Head of Show in 2022.

Along with looking after the trade, competitions and activation elements of the Royal Highland Show David is the lead on Scottish Show Forum, which holds an annual conference and provides a platform for the Scottish Agricultural Show industry to engage with each other and share good practice.

In 2019, David graduated from the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Program, which focuses on self-development and self-awareness to empower individuals to effectively respond to the challenges and to enact positive change in the wider rural economy.

Email: davidt@rhass.org.uk

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Honorary Life Members:

O. Allen (Devon County Show)

D.P. Amies (Bucks County Show)

S. Ashworth MBE (Surrey County Show)

D.J. Barber MBE (South of England Show)

E. Buckler Gale (Melplash Show)

Dr. C Bushby (The Suffolk Show)

Gp. Capt. G Carson (Farmers’ Club)

R. Cuzens (Dorchester, New Forest Show, Dorset County Show)

H. Davies (Royal Highland Show, B.H.S.)

F.Day (Kent County Show)

D. Dunsmuir (Royal Highland Show)

N. Evans (Cheshire County Show)

C. Farrell (Newport Show)

T.Gardner (Moreton in Marsh Show)

P.D. Guthrie (Royal Welsh Show)

M.Harman (Hertfordshire County Show)

S Hughson (Royal Welsh Show)

S.Lance (Surrey County Show)

Gp.Capt. R.I.Lawrenson (Hertfordshire County Show)

A.Lyons (Royal Bath & West Show)

K. Pulman (North Somerset Show)

P.Shanks (New Forest Show)

J. Shearman (Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show)

D. Smillie-Gray (Royal Three Counties Show)

K.Spencer MBE (Monmouthshire Show)

W.H.Yarr OBE (Royal Ulster Show)

Lt.Col. M.G.A.Young (Great Yorkshire Show)

R.Wilson (Border Union Show)