HER Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex has been elected president of the Devon County Agricultural Association for 2017. The association organises the Devon County Show, which this year runs from May 18 to 20.

The Countess is a keen supporter of British agriculture, and agricultural shows in particular. HRH is a past president of the Royal Bath and West; the Royal Cornwall and the New Forest and Hampshire Shows; and is patron of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations, which represents agricultural shows across the country.

At the Devon County Agricultural Association AGM in Exeter the Countess said she was looking forward to her year in office.

She said: ‘I’m honoured and delighted to be president of the Devon County Agricultural Association this year. Supporting our farmers and the industry is a priority for me in my work and I very much look forward to my role with this unique part of our country and its special agricultural show.’

The Countess, who was also celebrating her 52nd birthday, was presented with a birthday cake, complete with candles and iced farm animals, in front of more than one hundred DCAA members.

Mary Quicke MBE, chairman of council for the association, said: ‘We know from what our colleagues at other shows have told us, and from the Countess’ involvement with the ASAO, the very real interest HRH takes in every aspect of running a successful show, and that she will be very much more than just a ceremonial president.

‘To have a royal president is a great honour for the DCAA and the Devon County Show, and I’m sure it’s the start of a great year ahead.’

The Countess and the Earl of Wessex enjoyed a successful visit to the show in 2009 when they met hundreds of people involved in many walks of life from agriculture to the military.

The DCAA also elected Edward Darke, currently the show’s chief steward of livestock, as its president for 2018. As one of Devon’s foremost sheep breeders, with a particular interest in the Devon and Cornwall Longwool breed, Mr Darke and the Countess of Wessex should have plenty to talk about - HRH is a keen and active supporter of the Campaign for Wool, started by the Prince of Wales to promote British wool.