Christine Knipe, who has been at the helm of Westmorland Agricultural Society for 18 years, has announced she is stepping down.
Appointed in 2005, Christine has overseen the society’s growth, including the creation of an extra event, Country Fest, an extended educational programme and the development of a two-day county show.
She said: “I have loved every minute of my time with Westmorland. It is now time to hand over the reins to a new chief executive who can take the society forward into the next chapter.
“I feel immensely proud and privileged to have played such a part in the society which has proved resilient in the face of challenge, innovative and relentlessly focused on its charitable remit of promoting agriculture.”
Recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies for outstanding contribution to agriculture she was also presented with the Food & Farming Champion Award for her work in bringing farming and consumers closer together.
She is a trustee and former chair of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, the show industry’s national body, trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, chair of the national forum Access to Farms, secretary of the North West Federation of Show Societies and a trustee with the Francis Scott Trust.
She added: “It was always my aim to take the Westmorland County Show to a national level, to attract royalty, industry leaders and a wider public audience to help promote the farming industry and celebrate the valuable contribution generated by our county’s farmers which I feel we have done in abundance.”
Her highlights include six royal visits, hosting the national ASAO Conference and the Westmorland County Show to be named Cumbria’s Tourism Event of
the Year twice.
She added: “Every year is special and despite the challenges, witnessing the sea of smiling faces at our events makes all the hard work worthwhile. I have been fortunate to work with people of passion, commitment and talent who, along with the society itself, have been at the core of my life for the last 18 years. I am confident that Westmorland Agricultural Society will continue to go from strength to strength and wish the society and the team every success in the future.”
Lisa Bennett, chair, said “Christine has been a real asset to Westmorland, she is hugely respected in the industry and her leadership has taken the society to the next level. She has lived and breathed the Westmorland County Show for such a long time and it must have been a hard decision for her to stand aside.
“Christine has enabled the show to play a significant part in the food revolution in Cumbria which has transformed the quality and diversity of locally-produced
food and drink, and with other WCAS members led the team of over 350 society volunteers who received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service last year. On behalf of the members past and present I thank her for all her hard work, determination, and expertise.”
