Royal Highland Show 2007
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland has enjoyed its best ever year since it was established in 1784 – not only in financial performance but in re-inforcing its position as a world class organisation.
The Society’s annual report for the year ended November 30, 2006, shows turnover breaking the £5 million barrier for the first time at £5.1 million. Operating surplus was another record at £536,687 and with £320,000 donated to the Ingliston Development Trust, net surplus for the year was £216,687.
The main income source continues to be the Royal Highland Show, described by Chief Executive Ray Jones as …” a world class event equal in standing to the great agricultural trade and state fairs in Europe, North America and Australia.”
With a record attendance, show turnover was £3 million but there were contributions to overall income from events at the Royal Highland Centre of £1 million, with other activities, including member subscriptions and rents from properties at Ingliston, contributing another £1 million.
With growth in life and annual subscriptions, membership stands at around 14,000 ensuring that ….”we are a strong and influential organisation.”
During the year, the Society awarded £120,000 to the Royal Highland Education Trust to enable it to develop its work with schools. In 2006, RHET increased its number of farm and school visits with 22,000 schoolchildren having a farm experience.
The annual report features plans for Norton Park - Scotland’s National Showground, the proposed new headquarters for the Society if it eventually has to re-locate to allow for the expansion of Edinburgh Airport.
In his report, Ray Jones states that dialogue with BAA did not move forward during 2006.
“But with the publication of the West Edinburgh Planning Framework and the results of our feasibility study on a new site, the circumstances have now changed, “ he says.
“We may be able to accede to Government requirements for us to move, providing BAA pay the costs of our re-location.
“Initial costings on our plans for Norton Park are around £275 million but that figure will obviously move in an upward direction before completion by the target date of March 2013.”
Mr Jones concludes: “2007 is already presenting a number of challenges as we anticipate a new beginning with negotiations and planning to enable a new location at Norton Park to be a reality by 2013.”
In the annual report RHASS Chairman, Allan Murray, Redden, Kelso, points out that Norton Park is not yet ….”a done deal and we will be involved in some robust discussion and negotiation. Our members can be assured, however, that whatever the outcome, it will be to the benefit of the Society.
“The doubt and uncertainty over our position with BAA and any future location has raised our profile and the political and business community are now very much more aware of our long and distinguished history and our current economic importance to Edinburgh, Lothians and Scotland.
“However, as a Society we have not allowed the airport issue to divert or diminish our commitment to furthering the interests of Scottish agriculture and rural industry and we continue to pursue that objective.”
12 April 2007
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