Gregor Award Trust celebrate 25 years of supporting the next generation of agriculture
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Past and present committee together with award recipients of the Gregor Award Trust celebrated 25 years at the Saplinbrae Hotel, Mintlaw recently.
Chairperson Gillian Robertson, newly in post following the retiral of Alan Davidson of Turriff, welcomed guests to an evening of food, conversation, and reminiscing.
As present chairperson of the Gregor Award Trust Gillian recalled it seemed like yesterday when George Horne sat at the kitchen table in Coralhill, hearing that she had been appointed East Aberdeenshire District chairperson.
As a past chairperson and secretary himself he said: “Aye do realise it’s a special 50th anniversary year for the district!”
So the District 50th Anniversary Committee was formed, and a meal took place at the Palace Hotel in October 1996.
Special guests that evening were Bob and Ada Gregor who had been involved in Young Farmers since the mid-1940’s as club members at Turriff and soon after Bob was involved with SAYFC as area organiser, national secretary, director, and national advisor.
Amongst many other accolades Bob, also known as RF Gregor, a very well-known and respected member worldwide, was at the forefront of the International Trust too.
A decade prior to the district anniversary Bob and Ada had decided to financially set up a travel award trust for the young folk of east Aberdeenshire, as they both had a huge passion for travel and innovation with forward thinking to keep rural youth engaged in farming.
In 1963 Bob had received an award himself to realise a lifelong ambition to visit USA and Canada to study Junior Farmers.
This gave him the long-term vision to influence current practice and encourage new ideas and exchange opportunities.
After the 1996 district celebration Bob and Ada asked if the committee would manage the award with themselves as founders and trustees, and so the East Aberdeenshire Gregor Award Trust was formed in 1997 and a chairperson, secretary and committee were appointed.
Over the years the committee has evolved and so too has the award.
It now allows people to attend the Oxford Farming Conference, to provide money to learn more about agriculture or home economics, travel opportunities in the UK and abroad to widen the study of agriculture or the like and allowing others out with the district to apply as well.
Due to Covid Gillian's first official duties were undertaken solo, with trustees Lorna and Graham Pascall, and secretary Karen Mutch isolating due to Covid.
A special thanks was noted to current trustees, Lorna and Graham Pascall who took over the running from Lorna’s parents in 2017.
The hard work and effort of reaching out to encourage suitable candidates has always fallen on the committee and on this night, 25 years on, over £19,000 has been awarded to over 35 worthy recipients.
Commenting Graham said: “This is a great testimony to all who have served and supported the committee, and Bob and Ada would be very proud of what has been achieved here in the north east.”
Special mention was noted for Alan Davidson, who joined the committee in 2002 and became chair for 15 years since 2007.
His contribution was marked with a gift from Lorna and Graham.
Concluding the celebrations Graham said: “We were glad so many were able to join in the celebration and it gave us, the Trustees, the opportunity to thank everyone for their contributions to the Gregor Award Trust over the years.
"Without the committee members giving so generously of their time, it would be extremely difficult to raise awareness and promote the aims of the Trust.”
