Three Counties Ambassador, Michael Blandford was first elected to the Three Counties Council in 1981, serving as Vice President in 1986 and again in 2007. For 2022 he is honoured to be President, in a season of comeback shows and a busy events calendar, following two years of covid disruption.
Herefordshire born and bred Michael has enjoyed an illustrious voluntary career at Three Counties, having served as Chairman of Council from 2011 undertaking two terms of three years, and during this time he was rewarded with the Three Counties Show being given its auspicious Royal title.
Michael farms over 200ha in the villages of Coddington, Mathon and Colwall, growing cider apples which have won the Bulmers Golden Apple, cereals for seed production as well as beef cattle and sheep. Having travelled the world with Hereford cattle, Michael judged beef cattle at all the major shows in the UK, including the former Royal Smithfield in London and twice at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh, and was President of the Hereford Cattle Society in 1992 having previously represented the Hereford breed at the 1986 World Conference in South Africa.
Michael Blandford commented: “As a longstanding volunteer at Three Counties it is always an honour to meet so many personalities including members of the Royal Family, Secretaries of State and politicians as well as many other inspirational people, who I would otherwise not have encountered. As President I was fortunate enough to meet HRH The Princess Royal at the recent RHS Malvern Spring Festival, a wonderful celebration of gardening and horticulture.”
“My association with the TCAS started over 50 years ago when showing Hereford cattle, and what a surprise – and indeed a great honour – it is to be invited to be President for 2022. Something I’d never expected.”
During his term Michael will represent the Three Counties at a range of activities and continue in his ambassadorial role, as a supporter, friend, and champion of the organisation.
Ken Nottage, CEO of Three Counties said: “Michael Blandford has been a long-term supporter of all the shows and activities that take place at the showground and is a great source of advice and knowledge in helping to guide the organisation through a number of decades and for this we are eternally grateful.”