President's Welcome

I am very honoured to be President of Penrith Show this year.

My farming career started in the 1950’s in Staffordshire when as a young boy I accompanied my father to help out on threshing days. I developed a liking for farm machinery and went on to study Agricultural Engineering at Newcastle University.

In 1975 I joined ADAS as a trainee Mechanisation Adviser, in Newcastle, which started my association with Cumbria. I was sent to Penrith for training visits and experimental work often at Newton Rigg. After a spell working for ADAS in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire I moved with my wife Anne to Penrith in 1985. I became an expert in slurry handling and water pollution control.

A friend asked me to join the Penrith show committee.  I have been chief gate steward and show safety officer. Anne has been chair of the industrial section. During my time with ADAS I worked on most of the large national machinery shows and organised several working machinery shows myself. I have found Penrith Show to be one of the friendliest and best organised shows I have attended.

Farming is going through a difficult period at present with most farmers having to make decisions about their businesses. The show offers an ideal opportunity to meet old friends and talk about the future, look at the latest developments in technology and machinery to improve the efficiency of existing enterprises or see something which might spark an idea for a new enterprise or diversification. Visitors will be able to see the best livestock in the North of England and hopefully gain a better understanding of farming as well as enjoy the entertainment.

I would like to wish all visitors, exhibitors, traders and especially the hard working committee a successful and enjoyable show and hope to meet many of you on the field.

Bob Timmins (President 2024)