Invitation to CLA events at the South of England Show
Managing Director of The Crown Estate’s Rural Portfolio revealed as keynote speaker as the CLA's returns to leading show in the region
You are warmly invited to join us as we return to the South of England Show this summer.
Friday, 9 June
8.30am – 10am: CLA breakfast and talk at premier country show in the region (please note slightly later start time than previously advertised)
Join us for an insightful talk from the Managing Director of The Crown Estate's rural portfolio, Paul Sedgwick, as we kick off the South of England Show 2023 in style.
Mr Sedgwick joined The Crown Estate in 2014, initially as Deputy Ranger at Windsor, but since 2021 with additional responsibility as Managing Director of the Estate’s wider rural portfolio.
At Windsor he oversees over 16,000 acres including forestry, horticulture, tourism, residential and commercial property activities and manages a team of 200 staff, and is a Trustee of The Prince Philip Trust Fund.
Mr Sedgwick also oversees the diverse rural portfolio, comprised of 180,000 acres. A chartered surveyor, he was previously a partner with Strutt and Parker and has managed the Duke of Wellington’s Stratfield Saye Estate and Lord Iliffe’s Estate at Yattendon. He has also been part of the teams to have been awarded the highly prestigious RASE Bledisloe Gold Medal on the Windsor Estate in 2022, and the Yattendon Estate in 2013, for a range of successful diversification projects and a commitment to improving the rural environment.
His topic will be: “How can we achieve a lasting balance between food production and nature recovery on the journey to net zero given current land ownership and tenure?"
This free breakfast event, supported by Batcheller Monkhouse and Warners Solicitors, will also include a Q&A.
11.30am – 2pm: Lunch service
There will also be a payable lunch service on Friday, 9 June – we recommend securing a table by booking in advance.
Take advantage of our private enclosed garden with views of the main ring or shelter from our unpredictable British weather in our spacious marquee.
We have a delicious menu to choose from, with a fully stocked bar – and for guests booking a full table (8-10 people) you will receive two complimentary bottles of wine. So why not book a table and bring along friends or work colleagues?
A two-course lunch is £30 including VAT. Drinks are individually priced, pay on the day. Tea and coffee are free.
3.30pm – 4.30pm: Drinks reception and presentation of the rural excellence awards
We are pleased to confirm our annual South of England Show awards will return and be presented at a drinks reception, celebrating rural achievements and success stories.
There will also be a short topical update on the CLA's recent work and future plans.
Three awards will be announced:
- President's Cup (recipient nominated by Action in Rural Sussex)
- Woodpecker trophy (nominated by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, or FWAG)
- Sussex Young Farmer of the Year (nominated by Sussex Young Farmers), awarded the CLA Rose Bowl.
Saturday, 10 June
The CLA team will be on hand all day to welcome members and help with any support or advice needed, as well as engaging with stakeholders and non-members.
Free tea and coffee will be available on the marquee, and our garden area with full views of the main ring will be open.
BOOKING
If you have any difficulties booking online, please call the CLA South East office on 01264 313434 or email southeast@cla.org.uk and the team will be happy to help.
Please note this invitation does not give admittance to the Show Ground itself.
Show address: Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TL.
CLA South East would like to thank our partners Batcheller Monkhouse and Warners Solicitors for their support.