Duchess is 2008 President

The Duchess of Cornwall has been elected as President of the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) for 2008.

HRH will preside over the 2008 Devon County Show. HRH The Prince of Wales is the Association’s Patron.

“2008 is a special year in the Association’s history,” said Mervyn Hosking, DCAA Secretary. “We are delighted to welcome back The Duchess of Cornwall after the overwhelming success of her first visit in 2005.”

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Show on their first major public engagement to the South West following their wedding. Both are well known for the passion for rural life and their environment.

On her visit to the show The Duchess will see the people and industries that make up a vibrant and healthy countryside.

The DCAA has elected The Right Reverent Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter as Deputy President. Mervyn Hosking added: “The Bishop is a committed voice for Devon, where he has a particular interest in rural issues including the future of the countryside, farming, tourism and the quality of local food.”

The Bishop introduced the popular annual eve of Show church service when the county started to recover from the foot and mouth outbreak.

Agriculture and rural life is at the very heart of the Show which showcases food production from field to plate as well as horticulture, forestry and countryside skills.

The Show, in its 112th year in 2008, attracts competitors from all over Devon and beyond, all keen to make their mark in the first major agricultural show of the year.

Run by a small professional team, it relies on hundreds of volunteers who willingly give their time and expertise to ensure the biggest event in the county calendar continues to flourish.

Further information

For further information contact:

• Mervyn Hosking, DCAA Secretary T: 01392 353701
• Anne Ashford, Media Relations T: 01823 490965; M 07971 275840

Notes to editors

NOTE: PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM anne@ashford-media.co.uk

• HRH The Prince of Wales is the Devon County Agricultural Association’s (DCAA) patron until 2012.
• HRH has been patron of the DCAA since 2002 when he succeeded The Queen, who had been patron for the previous 50 years.
• The Devon County Show takes place from May 15, 16 & 17, 2008 at Westpoint near Exeter in Devon.
• The Show is organised and presented by the Devon County Agricultural Association.