JIMMY DICK, of Northton Farm, Cullerlie, Echt, is now president of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society, taking over from outgoing president Keith Walker, of Kirkton of Rayne, Inverurie, at the society's virtual AGM, which was held last week.

Mr Dick, who has been a director of the society for six years, runs landscape maintenance business Grass Guzzlers and farms 45 suckler cows and a small arable enterprise.

“It is a real honour to become president of such a well-respected society, having working with such a great group of people over the past six years,” he said. “I am starting off my role in an unusual year but it is my ambition to get the society back to normality and bring smiles back to everyone’s faces before I finish my term in office.”

Over the one-year term, Mr Dick will be supported by senior vice-president Billy Stewart, of Bomakelloch, Drummuir, Keith, and junior vice-president Alan Cumming, of Newells Farm, Oldmeldrum.

Looking ahead, the society is still seeking entries for its annual awards and all nominations must be sent to RNAS secretary Alison Argo by July 13.

The society hopes to still go ahead with its ever-popular awards lunch held at Jurys Inn, Aberdeen, on Friday, November 6, provided it can comply with Covid-19 government guidelines.