Ellingham Show has a new Chairman. Leading the show’s all-volunteer team on August 12th – once again on its traditional, beautiful showground in Somerley Park – will be Tom Hasted.
Aged 25, Tom is the show’s youngest Chairman ever to take the reins at Ellingham, and quite possibly of any other agricultural show in the country too.
But he’s no stranger to the event. Tom explains, “I’ve been on the showground every year since I was a 15-year-old Boy Scout, putting out the hay bales, and banging in the fence posts. And then helping to clear it all up afterwards. Most recently I have been organising and running all the attractions in the Main Ring, trying to strike a balance between our support for agriculture and making sure we’re entertaining all the family. Along the way I was fortunate to be awarded the Show Society’s bursary to go to Sparsholt Agricultural college, where I’m now part of the agricultural team. Ellingham has really helped me to get my life launched, and I’m proud to say we’re still offering agricultural students that same opportunity with our Elaine Micklewright Bursary scheme. (Check out our website for more information)
“I love to see the show grow out of Somerley’s meadows as we build it all up; the sight and sound of all the smiling, happy families and individuals enjoying all the show’s attractions; and the reward of giving to charities as much as we can afford – literally tens of thousands of pounds in the last ten years.
“A special word of thanks to Steve Thompson, who remains as our Vice Chairman, and retiring Show Secretary, Tom Harvey for guiding us through the difficulties of Covid and challenging weather. And also to all our committee members and volunteers, who put in a huge amount of effort to make Ellingham happen, both before and on show day itself.”
