Elected as president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society at last week’s annual general meeting, Mr. Dennis Reed, suggested, in his usual humorous manner, that he was there under false pretences!

Whilst fully recognising that the Reed’s have strong connections over very many years with the County Show, on both his late parent’s sides, he modestly claimed that several of his cousins were much more worthy of the honour. His father, Bertie Reed, was brought up at Knock Farm, Clarbeston and his mother, nee Vi Morris, was from Churchill Farm, Wiston.

Mr. Reed now of Trevayne Farm, Saundersfoot, who is very widely known across West Wales, not only as a successful farmer, but also due to his keen interest in horse breeding, racing and steeplechasing, modestly claimed that he owed much of his considerable public awareness to having been a member and official of the former Tenby Young Farmers Club and he was later elected as chairman of the movement’s Pembrokeshire Federation. He has also been closely involved with the South Pembrokeshire Hunt and was Secretary of both the South Wales Area Point to Point Association and the acclaimed Tenby Hunt Week programme for very many years. His other interests include Saundersfoot Rotary and the Tenby Round Table (with its 41 Club) and more recently he has taken up bowls.

As a member of his local YFC, he also gained prominence as a public speaker and developed an enthusiasm for amateur dramatics a member of the Musichall Players popular entertainment group.

As the new president, he has succeeded local solicitor, Mr. Ian Fudge, of Hlidskjaf, Treffgarne, who is also a prominent member of the British Horse Society.

Chosen as president-elect is Mr. Richard Cole, of Llwyngwydd, Whitland, whose late father, Mr. Campbell Cole, farmed near Haverfordwest and was president of the society ion 1978.

Reporting on another successful and eventful year, the chairman of the board, Mr. Roger Mathias, insisted that the society’s greatest resource remained the ongoing support of such a strong band of members - not in the tangible assets amounting to just bricks and mortar. He also paid high tribute to his fellow board members who had worked so diligently in their first year and also to the administrative staff who had spared no effort in ensuring the continued progress of PAS Ltd.

Mr. Mathias added that the society, despite assets in excess of £4 million, would continue to face financial and business pressures in keeping with it’s position in West Wales and further afield. He urged that the aim must be to continually maximise the revenue from all buildings on the estate, adding to the exciting and innovative range of activities already in place - “links to existing tenants and local businesses would remain key in equal measure,” he said.

Chief executive, Alex Bruce, announced that, at this year’s show (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 16, 17 and 18), the British Simmental Cattle Society would again be staging their Welsh Championships and major attractions would include the White Helmets motor cycle display team, the Triton robot, the Kangaroo Kids and the Monster Truck Show together with the Shetland Grand National, harness racing and scurry racing.

Welcomed to her new role as the society’s lady ambassador for 2016 was Kim Griffiths of Llambed Farm, Mathry, Haverfordwest. A veterinary nurse in a Haverfordwest practice Kim is a graduate of Pencoed College, Glamorgan, and is a former secretary and chairman of Brawdy/ Hayscastle YFC. Kim succeeds Caryl Warlow, of Ffynnongain Farm, Clarbeston.

The new president, Mr. Reed, drew attention to a number of activities which he is organising, including a trivia quiz evening at the showground pavilion on Thursday, March 31, when at least 20 teams are expected to compete; a variety show at Folly Farm, to be given by the Musichall Players and a guest celebrity, on Saturday, 25 June; and a barbecue at Trevayne Farm, Saundersfoot, on Friday, July 15.