VOLUNTEERS and staff of the Three Counties Agricultural Society were honoured at a gala dinner attended by the Princess Royal, patron of the Royal Three Counties Show.

The Princess was VIP guest at the TCAS dinner held on the Malvern showground, when more than 300 employees and volunteers joined together to celebrate the history and future of the Royal Three Counties Show, which takes place this year from June 12-14.

Chief executive Ken Nottage said: "The event is an institution in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire dating back to 1797. Over the years, there have been so many achievements. These include the acquisition of our recent Royal title and the Princess Royal becoming our patron. Her patronage has elevated our status within the industry and we are ever grateful for her support. The Royal Three Counties Show is the UK’s largest livestock and equine shows and we are really proud of our reputation for the overall quality of livestock and our heritage. Our visitor surveys tell us it is one of the friendliest agricultural events on the calendar.

“While our advanced ticket sales for 2015 are up by 10% on 2014, we will not become complacent. We are just one of many events competing for visitors and we must stay at the top of our game. We want to deliver the best experience we can for competitors, visitors, traders and hirers and this will always be our core focus.”

During the dinner, Princess Anne presented Doreen Smillie-Gray, who has worked for the TCAS for 40 years and is currently shows manager, with a Three Counties Agricultural Society long service medal. Mr Nottage added: "Doreen has devoted a lifetime career to our society and achieved so much. The Royal Three Counties Show has her influence all over it. Our society wouldn’t be what it is today without people like Doreen who work tirelessly to deliver our shows.” Tributes were also paid to the Three Counties volunteer stewards for their commitment and contribution to the society.

Princess Anne said: "These shows have become more important as time’s gone by. When you are all together on this site and you provide what you do, it is an enormous boost to the sector and is really important for everybody else as well. It’s a privilege to be asked to become a patron of Three Counties and to see the good you do. I can only wish you good weather."