Lord and Lady Carnarvon revealed as CLA's keynote speakers at South of England Show 2024

CLA delighted to host Highclere Castle owners and kick off region's leading show in style
Written by Mike Sims. First published on 23 Feb 2024.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon 1
Lord and Lady Carnarvon, of Highclere Castle, are giving our keynote talk at this summer's South of England Show.

Join us for a colourful and insightful talk from Lord and Lady Carnarvon, as we kick off the South of England Show 2024 in style.

They will head our breakfast event, from 8.30am to 10am on Friday, 7 June at the show in Ardingly.

The Carnarvons own Highclere Castle in Hampshire, a 5,000-acre estate made globally famous as the filming location for Downton Abbey.

Geordie and Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, live on the estate with their nine dogs, horses and ponies, a brood of chickens and some bee hives dotted around.  

The estate spans over 5,000 acres and whilst a part of that is the parkland, Lord and Lady Carnarvon are also farmers running a mainly arable farm with the addition of 1,400 sheep.  

The everyday life of the Earl and Countess varies from welcoming visitors to their home, creating events to support charities and managing the castle and historic buildings around the estate. Other enterprises include running the various brands of Highclere Castle, such as the award-winning gin, as well as several books, a blog, monthly podcast and a book club.

This free breakfast event, supported by Batcheller Monkhouse and Warners Solicitors, will also include a Q&A.

We expect spaces to fill fast so early booking is recommended.

Book here.

11.30am – 2pm: Lunch service

There will also be a payable lunch service on Friday, 7 June. Take advantage of our private enclosed garden with views of the main ring, or shelter from the unpredictable British weather in our spacious marquee.

We have a delicious menu to choose from, with a fully stocked bar.

Bookings open shortly.

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.

CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane will also give a topical update on the organisation'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.

Book your free place for the awards and drinks reception.

Rest of the show, and booking help

Saturday, 8 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, politicians, media 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 358 195 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.