Last week the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre, delivering around-up of the past financial year, and plans for the coming one, to a full room of attendees.

First call of business was the financial report, which all in all was a positive one. After a year of significant rises in costs, but increases in admission, trade stands and competition entries, and planned budgeting for said cost rises, meant that the Association did see an increase in revenue compared to the previous year.

Next was the official appointment of the 2024 Show President, and after serving for a year as President-elect, Tremayne Carew Pole of Antony House near Torpoint, was elected. Tremayne follows in a long tradition of the Carew Pole family’s association with the RCAA and the Royal Cornwall Show, and has a strong history of promoting the future of farming and agriculture.

The appointment of the new President-elect was confirmed as Edward Coode, who is a former Olympic Champion for Team GB’s Rowing Team in Athens 2004. Since retiring from professional sport, Edward has worked as a solicitor in agricultural and property teams, including his family firm Coodes LLP. Edward now runs the Coode Estate, which includes many tenanted farms across Cornwall.

He follows in his father Jonathan Coode’s footsteps, who himself is a previous Show President and former Association Chairman, and current Vice President. Edward has a firm belief in the promotion of farming and food production and its importance to the local area.

As part of the AGM, the awards for the Association’s Winter and Summer Points Championships were presented. Here, points are accumulated for results at agricultural shows across Cornwall during the winter and summer seasons.

The Christophers Family from near Truro won the Summer cattle points award with Tom Nancekivell from Bude picking up the Summer Award for sheep points. Chris Eddy from Hayle, and Gwen Renfree from Altarnun, were awarded with the Winter Awards for Cattle and Sheep respectively.

‍