Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Appoints New Trustees

The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) has appointed three new trustees to further support the charity’s core objective of raising awareness about the importance of food, farming and the countryside.

Steffan Griffiths, Head Master of Norwich School, and Dr Belinda Clarke, Chief Executive for the Norwich/Cambridge Agritech Cluster, have joined the now 10 strong board of trustees.

In addition, Roly Beazley, Rural Director at Savills, also becomes a trustee and RNAA Council representative, replacing Jeffrey Bowles, a former partner in T W Gaze.

Commenting of the appointment and role of the trustees at the annual meeting of the RNAA, Sir Nicholas Bacon, Chairman said; “We act as a catalyst, as a forum for the educational and scientific side of agriculture, we cannot possibly hope to compete with Cambridge or UEA in any respect but we can provide a forum for them to communicate what they do to the wider membership of the Association.

“Steffan will bring a strong contemporary education background to the RNAA and Belinda will be able to apprise us of the world class research taking place in the agricultural, food and farming sectors.”

All three trustees will bring a wealth of experience from food, farming and educational sectors, and will play an active role in the future direction and focus of the organisation.

Commenting on his appointment, Roly Beazley said; “I am very flattered and honoured to be invited to be a Trustee of RNAA. I have been attending the Royal Norfolk Show for over 25 years and believe passionately about education and research in the agricultural industry and hope to be able to add expertise to the RNAA whose objectives match my own.”

Belinda Clarke said; “I am looking forward to supporting the RNAA’s ambitions to educate, inform and entertain, especially around the scientific research agenda in the eastern region.”

Steffan Griffiths said of his appointment; “I am particularly attracted by the RNAA’s desire to inculcate in young people an awareness of their county’s rich natural resources and hope I will be able to make a positive contribution”.

For more information on The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk.

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For further details please contact:
The RNAA press office at Shorthose Russell on Tel: 01603 706560 / rnaa@shorthose-russell.co.uk

About the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association
The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) is a registered charity which aims to help educate young people and adults, and to bring people and business together through a range of inspiring events to promote a better understanding of food, farming and the countryside.

The RNAA’s origins date back to 1847, with Norfolk being one of the oldest county agricultural associations in the country. In 1908, the Association was granted the Royal prefix by King Edward VII. In 1952, following over 70 years of holding the Royal Norfolk Show at a range of locations throughout the county, the Association purchased some land at Costessey on the outskirts of Norwich to create a permanent showground. The first show was held on the site in 1954. Since this time a great deal of investment has been devoted to enhancing and improving the site, the latest development being the completion of a £1.4m investment in the Norfolk Showground Arena, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated events spaces in the region.

Through the funds it generates, the RNAA annually supports its charitable aims through an extensive educational outreach programme and by making grants and donations to agricultural projects and related organisations around Norfolk.

The sixtieth Show to be held at Costessey will take place on 25 and 26 June 2014.

For more information on the RNAA visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk/rnaa-charity/the-rnaa/who-we-are-what-we-do