It was an absolute privilege to represent NFU Cymru at the Lord Mayor’s Show alongside fellow Welsh NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Nia Borsey. We have been extremely fortunate to be able to attend this year’s show as our year as ambassadors were extended for this purpose. Crowds lined the streets of the City of London to celebrate Vincent Keaveny becoming the 693rd Lord Mayor. NFU, Red Tractor, New Holland and Surrey Docks Farm all represented The Worshipful Company of Farmers promoting climate-friendly British farming. The float itself focused on dairy farming with New Holland showcasing the world’s first 100% methane tractor and forager.
One passion
In addition to the float, there was a wide range of representatives from a variety of companies within the industry including ten of us NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors. Across the ambassador programme, there is a vast variety of knowledge and experiences within the agricultural industry. We all have one passion that runs through us – back Welsh and British farming.
Being part of the parade was an incredible opportunity for all of us to showcase British food and farming. Also, to address some recent misinterpretations relating to the agricultural industry from the British public. It was also a great opportunity to show the general public that the agricultural industry is trying to become more sustainable especially after COP26. Given that it was such an uncommon sight to see a tractor driving down the streets of London past landmarks such as The Royal Courts and St Paul’s Cathedral, it was certain that we’d get plenty of attention from the crowds along the route. The crowds clapped and applauded us along as we made our way around the one and a half-mile route and it was a pleasure to see so much support to farmers from all age groups watching.
Hope for the future
The overall weekend was a phenomenal experience from beginning to end. Both I and Nia had the incredible opportunity of representing Welsh farming on a national scale in front of thousands of people. It is more important than ever that the people have supported British agriculture and the support and encouragement we all received from them during the procession has risen. This positive reaction to agriculture in the urban environment gives me hope for the future of the industry across the country.