SOON TO become a familiar sight on the roads of Dumfries and Galloway, the Royal Highland Education Trust has just unveiled its new van as part of the D and G Countryside Initiative.

RHET DGCI project coordinator Fiona Jamieson, said she was delighted tom have the new vehicle for travelling to farms, schools and RHET-organised events throughout the area: “I am grateful to all companies and organisations who have sponsored the van for RHET Dumfries and Galloway. It will make a tremendous difference to the practicalities of transporting the kit and resources required to the farms and schools across the region.”

The van has been made possible through a generous three-year joint sponsorship by James Gordon Ltd, Lloyd Ltd, Tarff Valley Ltd, Kingan Farms, Murray Farmcare, A K Stoddart, Solway Vets, Alta Genetics, Biotal, Arla, The Fresh Milk Company, the Royal Bank of Scotland, R C Dalgliesh Ltd, Worldwide Sires, Carrs Billington (Annan) and the SRUC.

Stuart Dalton of Lloyd Ltd commented: “We are proud to work with RHET in sponsoring their van. This initiative is a great way of promoting farming to school children, both as a potential career and also as a way of highlighting the importance of farming in our daily lives. At Lloyd Ltd we also visit local schools with our New Holland tractors to continue to build awareness and understanding of what farming means to us all today.”

Representing Arla, David Birch said: “ARLA support RHET because of the work that they do in the community, letting young people know about where their food comes from and the career opportunities available in the agricultural and food industries in D and G.”

Kevin Fraser of James Gordon Ltd said: “Gordons proudly support and sponsor RHET to engage with the next generation of people wishing to join our industry, giving in early insight of what we can offer for their future.”

Speaking from SRUC, Hugh McClymont added: “SRUC are privileged to support RHET D and G through this initiative which allows us to contact our Future Student Groups for the wide range of Rural Education Courses we offer to our School Pupils in D&G.”