The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Planning for 2019 Royal Highland Show ‘on track’
Farming
Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) chairman Jimmy Warnock is “100% certain” that the planning process for the 2019 Royal Highland Show is on track.
He was speaking following a meeting of the 59-strong RHASS board where consideration was given to recent unrest among some members following the news that David Jackson, the society’s show manager, had left the business and would not be returning.
RHASS chief executive Alan Laidlaw said: “We had a full and frank discussion at the board including discussing a letter which had been signed by a number of members. It has been said that there is only one person working on show preparations at the moment, but that is not what I see when I walk into the office every day.
“We have a good team of long-serving staff with a huge amount of experience in running the Royal Highland Show.
“What we have not had before is a plan in black and white as to how the show is put together and that is what we are working on now to make sure people interact effectively.”
As to whether a replacement show director would be appointed, he said the matter was still “under discussion”.
“There have been a number of changes and as a membership organisation, I would be worried if there were no questions. My door is always open,” added Mr Laidlaw.
At its meeting, the RHASS board also approved the appointment of national construction firm Robertson as the main contractor for the£5million1,750square metre structure that will act as a members’ pavilion during the show and as a multi-use events facility for the rest of the year. The Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSa) has been awarded more than £10,000 to help fund its Minding Your Business workshops.
The funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund will be used to support the development of a small team of trainers to deliver the workshops, which are targeted at remote rural family farming businesses.
Cathy Meredith from IAgSa said the workshops would give families the opportunity to update their skills and knowledge base to ensure a better understanding of farm book-keeping procedures and review current systems.
“This is in preparation and readiness for the future HMRC requirements for Making VAT Digital in April 2019,” she added.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund, established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010, provides more than £1.2 million each year in grant funding to rural projects.