Architects’ boss heads show society

The new president of Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society is Mr Graham Cartledge.

Mr Cartledge (62) of Caunton, the chairman of the architects, Benoy, has been involved with the society for about 15 years and has attended most Newark county shows for more than 50 years.

Mr Cartledge said when he was growing up, the show was a major event and he always got new outfits to attend.

Mr Cartledge said: “It’s been in my blood for many years, since I was a child growing up in this county.

“I lived in the rural community in Flintham, all around were farmers and we lived in the fields.”

Mr Cartledge said the combination of business and agriculture was a positive step for the society. Benoy even restored the showground’s Cedric Ford pavilion after a fire.

He said over the next year he wanted to ensure the showground was used to its full potential.

Mr Cartledge said: “We are beginning to visualise the good work that John Peace has been researching and see the opportunity that this showground is a venue not just for the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show. There are another 360 days of the year when this showground is a fabulous facility for this county.”

Mr Cartledge is married to Mrs Jo Cartledge and has three children, Mr Ben Cartledge (31) Mr Tom Cartledge (30) and Miss Amy Cartledge (25).

After studying architecture at Leicester University, Mr Cartledge joined Benoy in 1973. Later he became a senior partner in the company, which has an office on Northgate, Newark and several across the world, and in 1992 he became the chairman.

In 2002, Mr Cartledge was made CBE for his contribution to architecture and charity work after setting up The Benoy Foundation.

The outgoing president of Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, Mr John Peace, was this week presented with a memento of his tenure by the chief executive of the society, Mr Adrian Johnston, and the chairman, Mr Bob Sheldon.

Mr Peace was given a watercolour painting of himself, presenting prizes at Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show, by local artist Max Neale.

Mr Peace said: “I have been delighted that the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show remains an integral part of our local agricultural heritage and continues to be an important aspect of our local community life.”

The society’s new deputy president is farmer Mr Tony Strawson.