NFU President Tom Bradshaw attended the National Harvest Festival held at Westminster Abbey alongside NFU Gloucestershire member Peter Drinkwater and NFU young farmers Joe Brammall and Jessica Stewart.
The celebration was attended by Her Majesty The Queen and 2000 guests from across the food and farming sector as well as food banks and food distribution charities.
This year marks the return of the festival to Westminster Abbey where the first National Harvest Festival was held 12 years ago.
Since then, the annual autumn festival has moved around the country, with a new venue in a different part of the UK each year.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw singing hymns alongside Her Majesty The Queen and CEO of Love British Food Alexia Robinson during the National Harvest Festival. Photograph: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
NFU participation
The NFU was proud to participate in the service, with the President being part of the main procession and young farmers Joe Brammall and Jessica Stewart reading poems.
Second-generation vegetable farmer Peter Drinkwater provided a rare 1957 grey and gold Massey Ferguson 35 and trailer which was a fitting vehicle for a seasonal display of British produce.
“It was great to remember everything that farming delivers at this vital time.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Her Majesty the Queen stopped by to speak to Peter and admire the colourful British produce on display.
Seasonal displays
The tractor and trailer display featured alongside carts and barrows, food distribution vans, and crates of fresh apples used to decorate the Abbey’s precincts.
All produce was donated to City Harvest and the Felix Project following the service.
NFU member Peter Drinkwater stood with his rare 1957 grey and gold Massey Ferguson 35 and trailer laden with seasonal British produce outside Westminster Abbey. Photograph: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
Highlighting the importance of farming
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “It was just fantastic to see so many farmers there in the congregation.”
For Tom, the Queen's attendance was also “incredibly poignant”.
He added: “It was great to remember everything that farming delivers at this vital time – the food that we produce and the landscape that we manage.”
Preserving the tradition
CEO of Love British Food Alexia Robinson, who organised the harvest service, said: “Harvest festivals have long played a role in bringing communities together to give thanks for the abundance of food we enjoy from Britain’s beautiful countryside while recognising the importance of sharing food with those who do not have enough.
“It is a tradition that continues to flourish in other countries, but in Britain it is no longer as established a part of our national calendar as it used to be.
“We hope that today’s service at Westminster Abbey will help continue this joyous tradition.”
“Celebrating the harvest by gathering together to give thanks for the food from the land is something that is shared by communities all over the world.”
King Charles III
A message from the King
There was a written message of support from King Charles III included in the order of service.
King Charles III said: “Celebrating the harvest by gathering together to give thanks for the food from the land is something that is shared by communities all over the world and I am so delighted that this tradition is continuing with a National Harvest Service in a different part of the country every autumn.”
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NFU member Peter Drinkwater viewing the harvest display with Her Majesty The Queen
Her Majesty The Queen and the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
The harvest display outside Westminster Abbey
Photographs: The Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
