I have to admit taking on the chairmanship of the association in its 151st year was a bit daunting. How do I follow the 150th?  I know, how about a real ale bar in the music tent!!!

Seriously it’s been a pleasure to be involved in the Egham royal show, working with an incredible band of volunteers who between them put on a fantastic weekend which from all accounts was one of the best attended shows in recent years.

This renewed enthusiasm along with new committee members Richard Frazer McRobert and Matthew Jones, plus some new volunteers that have joined us have given the show a new life. I know I have mentioned a couple of new members but I’m not forgetting the long standing committee members who also do a wonderful job.

A revised website designed by Andy Marlow, new traffic cones, new signage on the showground and since the show, new gates to Caddey’s Field, are further examples of the investment being made by the Association. Future plans are to improve the water supply to the field which has become a major problem to us.

Our other successes were the dairy exhibit in the animal marquee sponsored by Surrey County Council and arranged by James Doran. the vintage car section had a ‘bumper’ turnout and the dog show organised by Jackie Cashen, including the ‘scruffs’ competition created a lot of extra interest. Finally the larger model marquee organised by Roger Cashen was filled by some very fine displays.

Two events organised by Jerry Brownlee, our sponsorship manager to widen the appeal of the ‘Egham Royal Show’ was an evening trip on the River Thames in June and an end of year dinner in November. Our aim now is to encourage more local companies to get involved in the show all year round, the community spirit seems to be back and I’m sure the new music and beer tent has helped out here!

I would like to thank Proctor & Gamble and Gartner’s who have been our main sponsors for a numbers of years, their invaluable support is always greatly appreciated but I would also like to take this opportunity to thank new sponsors Axon and BAA for their donations, the latter through the perseverance of Matthew Jones,  to help us put on the 2009 show. Furthermore we now have the support of Suzy Talbot, editor of the Surrey Herald and Staines News, so our thanks go to her as well.

With the sad loss of Alan Hassan late last year we now have to enrol a new trustee to the association.  In saying that the rules of the association have been reviewed over the past 12 months and we are now  in a position to review the trusteeship as well. Our plans are to increase the number from 3 to 5 trustees, to spread the responsibility.  

Finally I must thank the contributions that the staff of the Royal Holloway University, The Monkeys Forehead, Chez Gerard and not forgetting the Runnymede-on-thames hotel have made to make not just the show, but the year a very memorable one for me.  I now look forward to not only the ‘2010’ show but also to ‘2015’ which I’m sure you will all know is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. 

Andrew York
Chairman

January 2010