A Whitland dairy farmer with strong connections in the St. Florence area, Richard Cole, of Llwyngwydd, Llanboidy, has been elected as president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society - organisers of the annual three-day County Show held at Haverfordwest each August.

He has succeeded Dennis Reed, of Trevayne Farm, Saundersfoot, and will have as his president-elect Brian Harries - a Haverfordwest businessman and, like Mr. Reed, a past chairman of the County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

Married to Ann, Richard has a son, Edward and daughter, Sarah, and one grandchild.

Richard’s parents, the late Campbell and Isabel had farmed within sight of the County Showground at Mount Pleasant, Tangiers, before moving to the 250 acre holding at Llanboidy in 1966.

Edward, married to Rebecca, farms a year round calving dairy herd of some 210 Holstein milkers in a family partnership at Llwyngwydd and at Potterslade, Llawhaden.

The Cole family have always retained a close connection with the Pembrokeshire Show and Richard proudly follows in the footsteps of his late father who served as the society president in 1978.

During his year in office, Richard has chosen to support Sepsis UK Trust and is in the process of arranging his inaugural fundraising event - a charity quiz - at The County Showground Pavilion, Haverfordwest, on Thursday next (April 13) at 7.30 pm - bar open from 6.30 pm.

Every year in the UK, there are 150,000 cases of Sepsis, resulting in a staggering 44,000 deaths - more than bowel, breast and prostate cancer combined!

Teams of four are invited to take part and the winning team will be given £100 to donate to a charity of their choice.