Top team will ensure that the show goes on

Perth: Organisers aiming to make this year’s event ‘bigger and better’ than ever

The team tasked with organising the biggest weekend of the year in Perth has been revealed.

For more than 150 years Perth Show has been the annual meeting point for the people of the city and the farming community.

The show – now the third largest of its type in Scotland – remains, as always, a showcase for champion livestock but holds a much wider appeal for the casual visitor.

To take place at the South Inch on Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5, Perthshire Agricultural Society has announced its new senior office-bearers who organise the event.

Solicitor Peter Stewart takes up the reins as chairman. A partner in Perth firm Anderson Beaton Lammond, he comes from a farming background with family farms in Fife.

Well-known Forgandenny livestock farmer John Ritchie plays a key role as vice-chairman.

Donald McDiarmid, a farm manager at Errol, advances from the board to become junior vice-chairman this year.

Completing the top team heading up the show organisers is long-standing secretary Neil Forbes.

Mr Stewart, 41, said he was delighted to be working with such an experienced team and looked forward to his term as chairman.

“The Perth Show is the key event in my year in office and, although very demanding, it will be made easier by the strength and support of all the directors, the secretary and the sponsors and the enthusiastic trade stands and exhibitors,” he said.

“I hope to be able to build on the successes of previous chairmen and help make Perth Show 2017 bigger and better than ever and look forward to welcoming everyone to the South Inch in August.”

Mr Forbes, who has been secretary of PAS for the past 13 years, said the new senior office-bearers were the perfect mix of youth and experience.

“They represent both business and agricultural sectors,” he said.

“The success of Perth Show each year depends on the hard work of everyone from the chairman down and I’m confident this team will provide the perfect leadership for another success.”

Judging at the equestrian events at last year’s Perth Show.

Picture: Angus Findlay. New chairman Peter Stewart, seated left, with his senior team for 2017 – vicechairman John Ritchie, standing right, junior vice-chairman Donald McDiarmid, standing left, and secretary Neil Forbes.