Suffolk Show organisers recover from tough year for finances

Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA) had to absorb big rises in heat and light costs and difficult trading conditions during its financial year to September 2023, its annual general meeting at Trinity Park, Ipswich, was told on Tuesday (February 27).

But treasurer Simon Tucker said it was now starting its return to robust financial health across the businesses.

"The trend is pointing in the right direction - I think going forward it will pick up that momentum," he said.

"It was a tough year and we have coped with some lumpy pressure."

The SAA is raising its own prices to keep up with higher costs, he said. Trinity Park Events Ltd (TPEL) made a slight loss because of cancellations due to the Omicron outbreak in December 2022, but has made good progress since, members heard.

"2022 was our big year of cost increases particularly around some of our lumpy costs such as marquee hire," said Mr Tucker.

Income from the show rose from £1.6m in 2022 to £1.8m in 2023. But it faced a loss of £613k in the year - nearly double the shortfall in 2022.

Overall it made £3.2m from its various activities including the show - but spent around £3.8m. 

Chairman Bill Baker pointed to two areas of the Suffolk showground now rented out to tenants including a croquet club to help balance the books.

"Whilst we had a challenging couple of years things are coming back to normal and bouncing back," he said.

"Our commercial arm continues to work incredibly hard. The Christmas party season was another huge success and continues to be."

Members also celebrated the huge success of the 2023 Suffolk Show - the first with John Taylor at the helm as show director.

Mr Baker paid tribute to his efforts in bringing the show together. "All that hard work paid off," he said.

But the organisation faced a "difficult challenge and difficult trading times", he acknowledged.

"I'm not sitting here trying to make excuses," he said, but added that the SAA faced rampant inflation and rising costs, which also affected its suppliers.

"We met those challenges and we have a firm plan in place to turn things around," he said. However, the SAA would not skimp on its offering at the show, he said.

President Stephen Fletcher handed over the reins to his successor Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Martin Seeley. He said he and wife Jutta had "a genuine love for rural Suffolk and hope to be able to find a rural base here when they retire".

Rt Rev Martin Seeley said it would be a "huge honour and privilege" to serve as president. Although he was previously based in very urban diocese - including in New York and London - he attended the Suffolk Show within weeks of his appointment in 2015 and was immediately drawn to farming and rural life.

"The conversion was almost instant and many of you here have helped with that process," he said. He will be followed next year by Robert Rous of Dennington who was voted in as president-elect.

"I'm hugely grateful to Stephen and being able to accompany him over this past year. I'm also delighted to be followed by Robert," he said.

"I'm very grateful to Phillip (Ainsworth, chief executive) and John (Taylor). I anticipate that wonderful support through the year ahead."

The bishop turns 70 on the first day of the Suffolk Show (May 29) this year. While it's custom for bishops to retire at that age, the archbishop had asked him to stay on for a while, he said. 

"I'm looking forward hugely to the year ahead," he said.

Former show director Bee Kemball proposed Mr Rous - who was chairman of the SAA from 2014 to 2017 - as 2025 president.

While the SAA was between chief executives he took over the day-to-day running of the organisation, she explained, and had a "passionate commitment to all things Suffolk". 

"I don't think we could have done it without him. He was an amazing support," she said.

"We needed that strong leadership at the time and his resilience through a very difficult period of change. He worked at the coalface relentlessly."

He and wife Teresa had a 1500ha farm and he could trace his roots in the county back to the 1300s, she said.

Mr Rous thanked the SAA for the honour. "It's one of the most special roles in Suffolk and thank you all very much for giving me the opportunity," he said.

Mr Taylor - who is due to serve a three year term in the role - said the 2023 was a triumph with 90k visitors over the two days and "tremendous" atmosphere.

He singled out a number of show supporters for praise including heavy horse senior steward Mark Donsworth for encouraging a huge number of entries, deputy show director Nick Watts for his efforts in supporting him and retiring senior light horse steward Mike Harris.

"Having survived my first show I'm getting to know what it's all about," he said.

"I'm overwhelmed by how many young stewards are coming forward to this show. It really shows our volunteers are the backbone of the society."

Ticket sales were already "very encouraging", he said. He was looking forward to working with the new president who had already set up some "superb" initiatives and was hoping this would give people who would not normally attend the show the chance to be at the event.

Outgoing president Mr Fletcher said the organisation was forging closer links with farm mental health charity YANA (You Are Not Alone) to help people who are struggling.

"Agriculture is facing probably as many changes and challenges as in my 50 years in it and around it," he said. He added: "I think this association is as relevant as it's ever been."