A three-day course in communications is being offered to selected agriculturists in the East Anglia region.

The Felix Cobbold Trust and the Morley Agricultural Foundation are offering a communications training course to future farming leaders, scientists and farming service industries.

The free training in presentation and multi-media skills is funded by the John Forrest Memorial Award.

Eight selected participants will get to go a three-day course from January 8 to 10.

The scheme - now in its fifteenth year, trains future leaders of the farming industry, scientists and those in the ancillary industries to communicate their work and ideas clearly and inspiringly to the general public, farmers and decision-makers.

Participants are tutored by Norfolk-based communications training and production company Green Shoots Productions and other guest tutors with a wide experience in techniques for communicating messages clearly and with impact.

Applications are invited by November 3 from candidates with the ambition and abilities to become leading figures in the farming industry in East Anglia.

The John Forrest Memorial Awards was founded in 2008 by the Felix Cobbold Trust and The Morley Agricultural Foundation in memory of late Suffolk farmer John Forrest.

The farming innovator - based at Stonham Aspal near Stowmarket - felt that scientists should be trained to explain their results clearly to farmers, and that farming industry leaders should be effective communicators.

His son, James Forrest - who is chairman of the Felix Cobbold Trust - said: “I am proud that the training course inspired by my late father, John Forrest, has provided 111 young people with career-enhancing communication skills over the past 14 years. 

"They represent all sectors of the agricultural industry, farmers, scientists, land agents, agronomists, environmentalists, journalists and more. 

"Each year we get unsolicited endorsements from past participants, saying how the experience has broadened their ability to communicate effectively in meetings, interviews and writing reports.  It all enhances the professionalism of the agricultural industry in Suffolk and beyond.”

Agriculturists, researchers and farmers interested in applying for the Award should email Colin Smith at colinsmith3438 @gmail.com, or David Jones at david@tmaf.co.uk, or Susie Emmett at susie@green-shoots.org.uk.

James Forrest at Mowness Hall in Stonham (Image: Charlotte Bond) The late John Forrest (Image: Forrest family)