Staffs NFU look forward to ‘a really special year’
A SERIES of events are being planned to mark the 100th anniversary of Staffordshire NFU.
Farmer Graham Clay, who is heading up the county NFU’S centenary working group, said the union would have a significant display area at Staffordshire Show set aside for memorabilia from individual branches, to celebrate and commemorate them.
He revealed a Midsummer Night black tie dinner would also be held on June 21 at the county showground as the main celebration.
A harvest festival, possibly at Lichfield Cathedral; and plans for the county annual open meeting, are also being discussed to finish the centenary in style.
Graham, pictured right, said: “I would ask members to put the dates in their diaries and look through their old photo albums or files for any items that may be of interest for our display.
“We have this one opportunity to celebrate our centenary and together I am sure we can make it a really memorable year.
“Finally I would like to acknowledge and thank our county adviser Jeremy Lowe for the in-depth research and time he has already spent investigating the history of Staffordshire NFU.”
Records show that at a general meeting of the Staffordshire Chamber of Agriculture on April 12 1919 the Staffordshire Organising Committee of the National Farmers’ Union was appointed.
The committee had its first meeting at The Swan Hotel, in Stafford, on Saturday, May 10 1919.
In-coming Staffordshire NFU chairman Richard Bower, who farms at Penkridge, thanked those who had helped put events together and he urged members to show their support.
He said: “It is a huge honour to have been elected chairman of Staffordshire NFU branch, especially, in our centenary year, where we will be celebrating the work of the NFU and its members over the past 100 years.
“Obviously, this would not be possible without members’ help, our county adviser Jeremy Lowe, the NFU team and our group secretaries.
“In this milestone year it would be great to see as many Staffordshire farmers involved as possible in the celebratory events. Here’s to the next 100 years.”