Princess Anne paid tribute to all the women working “behind the scenes” in agriculture at the Royal Northern Spring Show.
The Princess Royal is patron of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society – organisers of the show which attracted a record number of 8,000 visitors to the Thainstone Centre, near Inverurie.
Regarded as a key event in the north-east farming calendar, the Spring Show offers farmers a chance to view the latest machinery and technology as well as offering a place for livestock and horse breeders from across the region to parade their best animals.
All the judges at yesterday’s show were female to mark the society having its first ever female president – Janelle Anderson.
The Princess Royal paid tribute to Ms Anderson’s appointment and said it was an important reminder of the role that women play throughout the agriculture sector.
She said: “For all those ladies working hard behind the scenes, who perhaps don’t have your names on the [business] letterheads, I hope you feel that progress has been made here.”
Ms Anderson thanked the Princess Royal for her continued support of the society and its show and attributed her attendance as a key factor for the increase in visitor numbers – up from 5,000 last year.
During her visit to the show, Princess Anne awarded two long-service medals.
First up was Robert Largue, who has been working for the Watson family at Suttie near Kintore, since May 1979.
Mr Largue, who enjoys taking his vintage Ford 3000 tractor to local rallies, was praised for his work as a tractorman and stockman.
Next up, receiving a medal for 31 years’ service, was Gordon Anderson, who has worked for the Maitland family at Johnston of Leslie, Insch, since January 1986.
Mr Anderson, who is responsible for running the farm on a day-to-day basis, has worked for three generations of the Maitland family.
