Devon County Show board appoints chairman

The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), organisers of the Devon County Show and Westpoint Arena, today announced the election of John Lee OBE FRAgS as its Chairman of the Board of Management.

Mr Lee has been involved with the County Show for many years as a steward, chief steward and previously held the position of chairman for seven years.

“I am delighted to have been appointed chairman of the DCAA Board of Management and look forward to working closely with the Board and Council to deliver a successful future for the DCAA, Westpoint and the Devon County Show,” said Mr Lee.

He succeeds John Maunder JP DL, who has retired from the position after being involved with the Show for 40 years, and will continue to be involved as a Council trustee.

Mr Lee, who farms at Shobrooke, near Crediton, is probably best known for his work on behalf of young people at every level from county to pan-European.

He has chaired the national Young Farmers movement and the European young farmers' organisation, CEJA, the first and so far only British farmer to hold what is one of the most influential positions in European agriculture.

Currently he is Vice President and Trustee of Devon Young Farmers Clubs, Chairman of Farm Wise Devon, an annual event organised by Devon County Council for children to learn about agriculture and the countryside which is hosted in October at Westpoint, and trustee of the Rural Youth Trust.

He added: “The Devon County Show, which has been staged on over 120 occasions is the largest and most successful event held annually in the county. This success is largely due to an army of volunteer stewards and a dedicated staff team who come together to put on a magnificent display of all that is best in food, farming and the countryside. It is therefore no wonder that I believe with continued careful management the County Show can continue to be at the heart of life in Devon for many years to come.”

Mr Lee, who was High Sheriff of Devon in 2013-14, was awarded the OBE for services to the rural economy.

The 2017 Devon County Show will be held on May 18-20 at Westpoint, Exeter.