Duke was enormous advocate of rural Britain, says NFU president
THE PRESIDENT of the NFU has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to rural life and praised the support he gave for “many generations of farmers”.
Minette Batters, who heads up the NFU, praised Prince Philip’s enthusiasm for British farming and thanked him for the support he offered countryside communities throughout the decades of his public service.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has also praised the work of the Duke, describing Philip as a “passionate supporter of rural Britain”.
Ms Batters said: “I would like to send my deepest condolences to the Queen and the rest of the Royal family, following the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“He has been an enormous advocate of British farming and rural communities and the support he has given many generations of farmers will not be forgotten.”
The Duke was a great supporter of British farming and rural causes and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) has also expressed its “deep sadness” at the news of his death.
Philip made two visits to the Great Yorkshire Show, the first in 1977 during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year, and then again in 2008.
John Stoddart-Scott, who had just retired as society chairman at the time, was among the entourage that showed the Duke round when he visited the Harrogate showground 13 years ago.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post on Friday only hours after the announcement that Prince Philip had died at the age of 99, Mr Stoddart-Scott recalled how the Duke was “fascinating and treated everyone the same”. He also revealed that Philip took a keen interest in the various technological innovations on show.
Bill Cowling, former Honorary Show Director, said the Queen and the Duke had originally intended to visit the show for three hours in 2008, but ended up staying for nearly five hours.