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Prima PR has been chosen to represent the Lincolnshire Events Centre, incorporating Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and its annual county show. The campaign will focus on raising awareness of the extended business offering and the major £6m EPIC environmental technologies conference centre.

Heritage and technology combine
Lord Yarborough John Lockwood

Heritage and tradition will combine with cutting edge technology for Lincolnshire Agricultural Society this year.

The new President is Lord Yarborough, who follows in a long family tradition to become the fourth in his family line to hold the role. The third Earl of Yarborough was the first ever President when the Society was launched 140 years ago in 1869.

New Chairman John Lockwood, who farms at Cammeringham and Scampton and is currently High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, is also following a family tradition, as his father was President in 1991.

The appointments come at an exciting time for the Society, which celebrates its 125th Show this year, whilst building the new Lincolnshire Events Centre brand - which brings together agricultural, educational and conferencing activities.

Last year saw the completion of the £6m EPIC conference centre and project on the Grange de Lings 200 acre showground site. Capable of accommodating 1900 people, it's the largest purpose-built eco-events centre in the East Midlands, a powerhouse of new environmental technologies designed to educate communities and business.

It's the latest development for the commercially-focussed company that has grown out of the Agricultural Society. Whilst it still serves its 3500 agricultural members, and runs its annual flagship agricultural show, the Lincolnshire Events Centre is now focused on drawing in new streams of commercial income through a fast growing events programme.

Said Lord Yarborough: “ Lincolnshire is the premier agricultural county in England and the Society continues to have an important role in connecting farmers and community. We also have a much bigger role these days as the Lincolnshire Events Centre, and I believe the EPIC Centre is a major achievement and a step towards creating a business model for the future.”

Added John Lockwood: “I've been involved with the EPIC Centre since day one and it's a fantastic addition to the site which can be used throughout the year. Our main challenge is to get that working to its full potential.”

Both Lord Yarborough and John Lockwood are well known custodians and spokesmen for the county's agricultural community and countryside; both have been actively involved with the Society for many years.

Lord Yarborough is married with five children and runs the 27,500 acre family estate at Brocklesby near Grimsby . He continues to run Brocklesby as an agricultural estate and is Master of the Brocklesby Hunt. He is involved in many local charitable activities including St Andrew's Hospice and Lindsey Blind Society. He was chairman of Gainsborough Conservative Association for three years and sits on the University of Lincoln development board.

Master of the Burton Hunt and a well known figurehead for the county, John Lockwood is currently High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Married with three children, he runs the family property company, Castle Square Developments, alongside the family farm. His charitable activities have included two fundraising cycle rides from John O'Groats to Lands End, most recently in 2007 with his two sons, completing the distance in just 13 days.

ENDS
08 January 2009

Media enquiries:

Sarah Poucher at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
spoucher@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501       

Maggie Taylor at Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602