The vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University says he is looking forward to his students swapping the city streets for country living when they play an active role in this year’s Nottinghamshire County Show.
Edward Peck says that the event, which takes place at the Newark Showground on May 14, will be a good opportunity for students who normally work and live in the city to experience country life at close quarters and meet people who rely on the rural economy.
Alongside his university duties, Edward is the current president of the county show, which is returning to the Showground after a gap of two years due to COVID.
Edward Peck, vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, is looking forward to carrying out his duties as president of the Nottinghamshire County Show at the third tine of asking next month.
Thousands of people from across the region, including farmers, exhibitors, local producers and members of the public are expected to attend to enjoy a host of activities including entertainment, music, livestock displays, a family-friendly dog show and a food and drink festival.
They will be joined by a range of students from NTU, including young people from the University’s Brackenhurst campus, which is home to its School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, who will be acting as stewards in the livestock and equine competitions.
They will also be joined this year by NTU students from its Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism and from Confetti, who will be filming the event on the day in association with Notts TV and helping with event production.
A team from the university will also take part in one of the stand-out events of the day – the Notts Young Farmers Association’s Lawnmower Race.
Edward was appointed to the position of show president in 2020, only for that year’s show, and last year’s, to be cancelled. Now, with organisers having been given the green light again, it will be third time lucky.
He said: “I was delighted to be asked to be president and as a university we are looking forward to deepening our engagement with the agricultural and farming community in a variety of ways.
“For example, we are recognised leaders at helping SMEs with business development across many sectors and we will be talking to those exhibiting at the show to see how we can extend our expertise to their enterprises.”
Edward was brought up on a farm until the age of 10 and now, after 20 years of city living, has come full circle by owning a 30-acre family smallholding keeping sheep, chickens, and horses.
This year’s county show is also returning to its roots with more of a focus on classic rural activities and skills than in previous years, with organisers hoping to capture the public interest in rural living as showcased on reality TV farming shows such as Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm and BBC One’s Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure.
Edward added: “I am very supportive of this renewed focus for the Show in 2022. Jeremy Clarkson brought his farm to life on TV and so the County Show is a fantastic opportunity for people who enjoy those shows to come and see it in real life.
“I am also looking forward to the lawnmower racing. I am not sure I will be allowed a go on the day, but our staff and students have been practising and souping up our racing mower. One of our engineering lecturers used to work in Formula One racing, so we should do well!”
ENDS
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