OUT AND ABOUT
BAGMA makes a noise at the Royal Highland Show Training fund for women judged success
BAGMA WAS VERY pleased to be exhibiting at the Royal Highland Show this year. It was good to be back and we were excited to be able to see members and have a catch-up on our stand as well. The weather was glorious, which meant we needed plenty of refreshments, so it was a good job we had catered for the masses for our Thursday evening ‘Party in the Tent’ celebrating 200 years of the Royal Highland Show and also a special birthday for one of our team. We had arranged for a small band to play at the start of the celebrations, and we were pleasantly surprised when West Lothian Schools Pipe Band (pictured) came to play for everyone. The band was fantastic and drew a large crowd of members and passersby, all of whom enjoyed the entertainment
and a number of members stayed to enjoy the rest of the event. We were also able to help host the AEA’s Agri Evolution guests and introduce them to a real Scottish pipe band as a treat for travelling so far to attend the Royal Highland Show. Throughout the show, the BAGMA team visited members at their stands and also welcomed them to our stand for light refreshments and some time out of the sunshine. It was a great opportunity to see so many members and have the time to talk to them about the future of BAGMA and to find out how they felt about being back at the show after a few years away. The feedback was very positive; everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the stand, talk to us and to find out what has been happening over the last year.
A new scheme aimed at addressing inequality and providing more opportunities for women in Scottish agriculture has supported more than 750 trainees since its launch last year. The Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund has been administered by Lantra Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, enabling women to benefit from courses in a range of areas, including tractor and trailer driving, sheepdog handling, lambing, cattle hoof trimming, and chainsaw use. To mark the success of the scheme and celebrate their achievements, some of the women who received funding attended a reception at Lantra Scotland’s Royal Highland Show stand. Mairi McAllan MSP, Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, was also there. Lantra’s Scotland director, Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE, explained more about the training fund: “Research into the gender imbalance
Royal Cornwall Show returns with impressive guests and visitor numbers THE ROYAL COR N WALL Show saw the highest visitor numbers in seven years – with 120,671 people attending the three-day event at the Wadebridge showground for the first time in three years. Revealing the total, show secretary Chris Riddle said the event had been a resounding success: “After three years away it really was a step into the unknown in terms of crowd levels, but with only half a day of wet weather, the sun shone for both Friday and Saturday, and people returned in force. It was great to see everyone back at the show, with so many people enjoy-
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ing all that was on offer.” One of the highlights of the event was the visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on the second day. “We were extremely honoured to receive a visit from Their Royal Highnesses, especially in what has been a remarkable couple of weeks including the Platinum Jubilee and His Royal Highness celebrating 70 years as the Duke of Cornwall,” Chris added. Richard Jenkins, BAGMA’s business development manager, was there as he finds such events a good way to see members (when they have a quiet moment), and to
within agriculture in Scotland suggested that women needed more support to access vocational and practical training. This led to us working with the Scottish Government to create a fund specifically for women, covering costs of up to £500 for those who could show how the practical training would support their business or employment options. “We are all extremely proud of everyone who has used our women in agriculture fund to develop their skills and talents. By making the sector more accessible, we are ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of Scotland’s rural economy.”
From left: Marcus Potter (Lantra CEO), Mairi McAllan MSP (Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform), Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE (Lantra Scotland director). Photo: Iain Forrest
BAGMA member Cornwall Farm Machinery
meet with potentially new members. He was impressed with the effort that members had put into their stands with a number receiving awards. All areas of the show were busy and members reported good customer leads to follow up. Speaking with members, Rich-
ard heard some comment on the difficult times facing agricultural dealers. Although they said that there is business out there, they said it had slowed down and that supply chain issues had improved but were still having a negative effect on sales.
BAGMA BULLETIN JULY-AUGUST 2022
