The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth are pleased to announce, following on from a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, and with effect from 1 January 2018, that it’s Secretariat services are to be transferred and will be provided by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
The tender process, undertaken late Summer 2017 as part of good governance procedures, identified the RNAA as a new preferred candidate and found unanimous support amongst the RASC’s Trustees. Accordingly, the Society’s office will move from it’s present home of Ingliston, Edinburgh – where the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland manage administration presently – down to the RNAA headquarters at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich.
The relationship between the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) and the RASC runs deep, reaching back to the year of its foundation at the Royal Show held here in Norfolk in 1957, and this – coupled with a clear work plan and strong staff team – found favour with the RASC’s Board.
Founded in 1847, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) is one of the oldest county associations in the UK. The principal objectives of the RNAA include the encouragement of improvement in agriculture, horticulture and allied systems of husbandry and of agricultural science, research and education. The RNAA is responsible for the Royal Norfolk Show held annually at its showground in Costessey, near Norwich, and attracting around 80,000 visitors over two days. In addition to other outreach and engagement activities the RNAA is involved with include educational programmes and events such as The Norfolk Spring Fling, held in the Easter holidays for 4 – 8 year olds and attracting some 5,500 visitors. The event is non-profit making and is set up to give people a chance to learn more about food, farming and the countryside. Norfolk HarFest, a one-day autumn fair, offers a platform in an urban environment to celebrate the harvest using a range of fun and inspiring activities. The RNAA offices are based at the Showground and are responsible for administering the charity, its 3000 members and the Show. In addition, subsidiary enabling businesses manage over 100 events each year, long term leases, developments and investments and maintain the 400 acre estate and buildings. The RNAA is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered charity number 289581 and was set up by a Trust deed. Annual turnover is in excess of £2.3m.
The Board of Trustees of the RASC are looking forward to building a relationship with the RNAA and wish to assure all stakeholders that the handover will occur in a smooth and timely fashion, beginning in the Autumn of 2017.
Any questions regarding this should be directed to the RASC’s Honorary Secretary, Michael Lambert, via www.therasc.com
Notes:
The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) is the voice of agriculture in the Commonwealth and was founded in 1957 by is present Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The RASC plays a pivotal role in the promotion of agriculture across the Commonwealth.
HRH The Princess Royal, RASC President; Deputy President, Laura Gadowsky, Canada, and Chairman, The Rt Hon Lord Vestey, work in partnership with the RASC Board to create an inspiring force supporting excellence and innovation in agriculture. The RASC provides an opportunity for Societies across the Commonwealth to engage with leading industry members to support the advancement of sector. Through international networking it also encourages new talent through its Next Generation programme which was launched in 2004. The RASC bi-annual Conference, held every two years, brings together delegates from almost fifty show societies across twenty one countries – the next conference will be held in Canada in November 2018.
