5 minute read
Scottish Region
Our food systems face major challenges, and now, more than ever, the role of Nuffield Farming Scholarships is vital in delivering positive change to our industry. Within Nuffield Scotland, we are proud to pick up this baton and help champion this life changing opportunity to new potential scholars based in Scotland, and we also celebrate past and present scholars who are making a significant impact on our industry.
Our Nuffield calendar year kicked off with a bang at the 2021 conference, which saw Caroline Millar 2012 NSch lift the Steven and Gillian Bullock Award, and on behalf of the entire Nuffield Scotland Group, I would like to congratulate Caroline on this well and truly deserved success. At the conference, we also welcomed 2 new scholars, Vic Ballantyne and Ali Cook, into the Nuffield Scotland family. The next big event was our virtual Nuffield Scotland AGM that took place on the 17th March 2022. This included presentations from Rob Hodgkins 2012 NSch of Kaiapoi who gave an overview of his business in a presentation entitled ‘Sheep Farming in the Land of the Combine’. This was followed by a virtual tour and overview by Graeme Jarron of Ogilvy Spirits who also conducted a tasting and mixology session with their very tasty Scottish potato vodkas. The evening was concluded with a lighthearted summary of 2021/22 by Jimmy Dick of Northton Farm and current President of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society. The new year also brought the opening of the 2022/23 NFST applications. Nuffield Scotland continued to host monthly 1-2-1 drop-in and coaching sessions for all potential scholars based in Scotland, which ran from January right through to the closing date in July, and myself and the team thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every applicant. I am proud to announce that we had 13 applications in from potential scholars based in Scotland, with a high proportion through for interview, the highest ever recorded from Scotland, and the highest across all the regional groups for 2022/23.
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2022 also saw the much-awaited return of the in person agricultural shows. 2022 was a special year in Scotland with the 200th Anniversary of the Royal Highland Show, and with that, we decided to celebrate in style with a ‘fizz reception’ kindly sponsored and hosted by Marks and Spencer. We welcomed past, present and potential scholars to the ringside venue, and had excellent presentations from Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at Marks and Spencer, Steve McLean, and from 2021 and
2022 scholars, John Gray, Ranald Angus, Vic Ballantyne and Ali Cook. Many thanks to all the aforementioned speakers for being involved and to everyone who came along. Special thanks to Marks and Spencer for kindly hosting the group. We also held a silent auction at the event, raising over £800, which will help support future events. Again, thank you to all those who donated prizes.
During the Royal Highland Show, a number of Nuffield Scotland scholars were also involved with hosting the RHASS International VIP event, with visitors joining from all over the world, viewing everything from Scottish innovations through to champion livestock. Many thanks to all those who participated.
On the 29th June 2022, Nuffield Scotland were invited by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to the Palace of Holyroodhouse Garden Party in Edinburgh. The delegation that attended the event included the current Nuffield Scotland leadership team, namely Neil McGowan (Vice Chair), Jamie McIntosh (Secretariat) and myself (Jenna Ross, Chair), and we were accompanied by immediate past Chair, Jim Shanks, and 2019 scholars, Claire Hodge and Richard Walker. The group thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, with a lovely afternoon tea, great weather, and 1-2-1 discussions with His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex.
The following week, in my capacity as Nuffield Scotland Chair, I was fortunate to join Vicky Robinson, David Rose, Joanna Speed, Christine Snelll and Matthew Swain to attend Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Party held at Buckingham Palace. Many thanks again to His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester for this very kind invitation. This really was a once in a lifetime experience!
Last month, the Nuffield Scotland Group took to the road for a magnificent tour of Angus. We had a jam-packed informative day which included:
• A demonstration of SKAi from Jim Wilson 2003 NSch of Soil Essentials
• Tour of the luxurious adult only The
Hideaway Experience by Caroline Millar 2012 NSch
• Tour of the Intelligent Growth Solutions innovative towers
• Presentation, tour and tasting of delicious berries at Angus Soft Fruits by
John Gray 2021 NSch
• Grand finale meal at The Carnoustie Golf
Hotel We saw, we learned, we questioned….exactly what Nuffield Farming Scholarships are all about. It was also a fantastic opportunity to catch up with past, present and potential scholars. Thank you to all who attended and special thanks to each of our hosts!
The next stage for the Nuffield Scotland leadership team is preparation for the faceto-face mock interviews in September at Ingliston House. We wish all those who have applied for a scholarship the very best of luck and look forward to meeting those invited for interviews in Edinburgh.
Finally, I just wanted to say that it has been an absolute honour to Chair the Nuffield Scotland group over the last two years. I can’t quite believe my time is up, but I know the group will be in fantastic hands with the new Nuffield Scotland Chair, Neil McGowan, and Vice Chair, Jamie McIntosh, who will take over the reins following the 2022 NFST annual conference in November. Neil and Jamie have been a fantastic support to me over the last few years, and the success of the group really is a team effort. I just want to finish by saying a massive thank you to Neil and Jamie, and I wish you the very best of luck for the future.
Best wishes
