Lord Lieutenant is made Devon Show president for 2020

ORGANISERS of the Devon County Show have revealed their new president for 2020. David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon, was sworn into the top role at the Devon County Agricultural Association’s (DCAA) recent annual general meeting.

A long-standing member of the DCAA, he takes up the reins from Sir Harry Studholme, former chairman of the Forestry Commission, who acted as the show’s president in 2019.

Speaking after his election, Mr Fursdon said he is looking forward to putting Devon’s agricultural capabilities firmly on the priority list for what will be the 125th Devon County Show when it returns to Westpoint, near Exeter, from May 21-23.

He explained: “The Devon County Show is an ideal platform for the agricultural community to showcase its past achievements as well as the great strides that are being made towards the future.

“Devon really is at the forefront of tomorrow’s farming. Farmers in the county are forward-thinking and are increasingly committed to implementing responsible and sustainable technologies as well as to producing healthy food.”

Working in agriculture and rural property across Devon for 30 years, Mr Fursdon has a long history in the sector. An honorary fellow of the Royal Agricultural University, his wide-ranging voluntary work includes chairing the Devon inquiry of the Royal Society of Arts’ (RSA) Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

Mr Fursdon added: “As a member of the DCAA, I have been coming to the Devon County Show for over 40 years. It’s always been one of my favourite events on the Devon calendar.

“I love the variety of activities at the show, and the way that it encourages interaction and introduces people of all ages to the rural values that form the very fabric of this county. I go to many shows, but Devon County always has a special buzz about it.”