Bishop Martin this year’s President of the Suffolk Show, is hoping that the county’s iconic agricultural event will inspire young people to take up farming and ensure the rich heritage continues for many more decades.
Bishop Martin, is president of the two-day Suffolk Show, an event that coincides with his 70th birthday.
He was installed as bishop in 2015, and will be retiring next year after 10 years, and Bishop Martin says the Suffolk Show has always been a highlight for him to savour and remember.
The bishop’s first day itinerary is scheduled to include visiting the D-Day area on stand 530 at 10.30am, presenting livestock awards, and watching the RAF Falcons parachute display.
The Church of England in Suffolk is offering free events on stand white 602 where there will be puppet shows and creative activities for children, while adults celebrate life and talk about their faith over a cup of tea.
Bishop Martin said: “My first Suffolk Show was in 2015, just a couple of weeks after I began in post. It is a brilliant introduction to our county, and to farming which is so vital for our nation. The show celebrates all those people who work so hard in providing food on our plates and showcases the best of Suffolk. It has not been easy for farmers, coming through the demands of the pandemic, the challenges of the weather and climate change, and the financial uncertainties. We owe our farmers a great deal. They always seem to rise to the challenges and as well as the livestock and horses, the agricultural machinery and equipment, this year’s Suffolk Show, as every year, will feature the ways farmers continue to innovate and adapt to provide the food we need. I am very keen to encourage young people to consider farming, to take up the challenge and play their part in ensuring this fine agricultural tradition continues in our beloved county. Farming has so many opportunities for youngsters to be involved in and the diversity is on show during these two days. I was honoured when the Suffolk Agricultural Association looked outside of the agricultural sector and elected me President – and I want to repay their trust by continuing to support our farmers throughout my year as President" said Bishop Martin.
He has helped organise 50 young people who wouldn’t normally visit the show to attend free of charge and introduce them to agriculture as a possible career.
Bishop Martin added: "The Suffolk Show dates back to 1832 and celebrates the rich heritage, culture, and industry of Suffolk, becoming a beloved tradition and a highlight on the county's calendar. The show offers a diverse range of attractions and activities so there's never a dull moment at the show with something for everyone – and this year 100 free events have been picked out highlighting that diversity. There is, for example, playing noughts and crosses with an underwater diver in the military zone, becoming a DJ or daring drummer in the Suffolk Skills Zone, watching a heavy horse getting plaited up in the Heavy Horse Centre or listening to the Caribbean Steel Band in the Greene King Eat Street."