Neilston Agricultural Society receives the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Neilston Show is honoured to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, with recipients announced on 2nd June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Neilston Agricultural Society received the award from Colonel Peter McCarthy, Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, at the 2022 Show on 7th May.
This award recognises all the volunteers who give their time throughout the year to make the Neilston Show happen, and the many organisations and helpers who turn up on the first Saturday in May, come rain or shine, to make sure the Neilston Show is a great day out for all the family.
In choosing Neilston Show to receive this award, our Educational Marquee was a key factor, as a great example of how to involve the whole community with traditional agriculture. The “Dome” tent started in 2000 and has grown over 20 years to become a 200-foot-long showcase for over 30 exhibitors of farming and traditional crafts, from Beekeeping to Sheep Shearing. This display area allows youngsters of all ages to get up close with livestock and see working demonstrations of Field to Fork skills.
While we were all disappointed that current circumstances mean our show had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021, receiving the Queens Award for Voluntary Service is a piece of good news which will encourage all our volunteers to organise a great Neilston Show in 2022.
Ronnie Melrose
President
Neilston Agricultural Society
May 2022