Suffolk Agricultural Association scoops King's Award

The Suffolk Agricultural Association's (SAA) volunteers have been selected for a King’s Award for Voluntary Service for their educational work.

Hundreds of volunteers at the SAA are involved in a host of farm-related activities - including the School Farm and Country Fair which takes place annually at Trinity Park, Ipswich, and Tractors in Schools, where farmers take their tractors to schoolgrounds and teach youngsters about the work they do.

Most of the organisation's events - including the Suffolk Show - includes a huge amount of educational content delivered by its unpaid army of supporters.

The SAA said it was a "huge thrill" to be recognised for its work.

It was cited for "inspiring young people to learn more about food production, farming, the countryside and the wider environment".

It's the first time the organisation has won the award and recognises the hundreds of hours that farmers and other supporters devote to the charity's educational activities.

SAA chairman Bill Baker - himself a volunteer for more than 40 years - said they were "very honoured".

"We are the only recipient in Suffolk (of the voluntary service award) this time around," he pointed out.

"It's a lovely recognition. It's the first one the King has done in his reign. It's an award to the association. It's likened to an MBE to an individual and it's a great honour for us as an association to receive it for everyone."

The award was not just for the stewards, he said, but also those volunteers from business and other walks of life who dedicate their time to SAA events.

The SAA is particularly proud of its School Farm and Country Fair, which has hosted tens of thousands of schoolchildren across the county since it started in 2001.

"It does recognise the extra events that we stage for children throughout their school age and beyond. But it's not just schoolchildren we are trying to educate - it's everyone," said Bill.

"Education is absolutely the heart of our charitable objective so I feel we are doing a tremendous job in fulfilling that.

"Those that enable it to happen, the hours and hours of work that go into the preparation and the time they give freely, is invaluable - it's superb."

Congratulations are already pouring in, he said.

"I hope it makes everybody feel really worthwhile and happy about receiving it," he said.

"This is an absolute first. I was surprised when we were first contacted - and delighted. We have known for a couple of weeks but had to keep it under wraps and have been excited since we learnt about it."

The SAA was one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was launched in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, the King emphasised his desire to continue it. Recipients are announced annually on the King’s Birthday on November 14.

Representatives of the SAA will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston later this year. Two SAA volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024 to celebrate recipients of the award.