NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos was our guest at our prominent stand, joining NFU Midlands Regional Board chair Jane Bassett, county chair Paul Brown and the NFU Midlands team on day one of the two-day extravaganza.
Organiser and Staffordshire county adviser Jeremy Lowe was delighted to see a bumper crowd congregate at the NFU stand.
“I’m very pleased and surprised by the numbers here,” he said, speaking on day one.
“We’ve met general election candidates throughout the day to carry out important lobbying work and we are delighted to welcome Rachel Hallos here.
“She was kept busy with a Countryfile interview and lots of other media requests, as were the county chair and other members too.”
Rachel hosted a drinks reception and member round table discussion on the evening of the first day, addressing members present alongside NFU student and young farmer ambassador Magnus Brown.
“I’m very pleased and surprised by the numbers here. We’ve met general election candidates throughout the day to carry out important lobbying work and we are delighted to welcome Rachel Hallos here.”
Jeremy Lowe, NFU Staffordshire county adviser
“With the General Election ahead we need to engage prospective candidates from all parties and I would say do it fairly, ensure you give each person the same opportunity and you really can play your part by speaking from your heart,” said Mrs Hallos.
“Sit down and tell them what their decisions mean for you down on the farm.
“Those stories, which we live every day, will help them understand what their decisions mean for us as farmers.
“The senior officeholder team and NFU staff will support you every step of the way and we have set out solutions, which we think will benefit your farms in our election manifesto.”
Stand celebration
Elsewhere on the showground there were celebrations after former county chair Richard Bower’s Lower Drayton Farm clinched the overall champion stand prize.
The family-friendly Children’s Farm stand showcased the amazing technology used on farms and was a magnet for curious youngsters and adults alike.