THE Royal Agricultural University (RAU) celebrated Convocation, its annual graduation ceremonies, in Cirencester last week (23 and 24 July), and awarded its prestigious Bledisloe Gold Medal to Lord Plumb, who has achieved worldwide recognition for his work in agriculture and politics.

A former President of the National Farmers Union (NFU) and a European Parliamentarian, Henry Plumb is a strong advocate of British farming – managing 121 acres of mixed farmland in Coleshill, Warwickshire instilled in him the drive and passion that would serve him well throughout his career.

During his time as NFU President, 1970 – 1979, Lord Plumb worked tirelessly to negotiate Britain’s place in the Common Agricultural Policy and ensure proper support for British agriculture. He was knighted in 1973. When his presidency at the NFU came to an end, he entered European politics and was elected Member of the European Parliament for the Cotswolds in 1979. Sir Henry joined the House of Lords in 1987 and remains an active peer to this day.

In 2012, he established the Henry Plumb Foundation to provide funding and financial backing for young people with ideas and enthusiasm, wishing to forge a career in agriculture.

It is for these marked achievements, amongst many others, that the University presented Lord Plumb with its most significant award. Endowed to the then Royal Agricultural College (RAC) by Viscount Bledisloe in 1947, the Bledisloe Gold Medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to agriculture.

The fourth Viscount Bledisloe, Rupert Edward Ludlow Bathurst, studied at the RAC in 1894. A keen landowner and farmer, he held many public posts and was especially known for encouraging schemes to eradicate tuberculosis in cattle.

On being presented with the Bledisloe Gold Medal, Lord Plumb expressed great pride at receiving such an accolade from the Royal Agricultural University, and described Viscount Bledisloe as both a pioneer and an inspiration.

Students graduating from the RAU at Convocation 2015 benefit from impeccably high employment rates. Ranked third in the UK for employability, 98% of undergraduates and 93% of postgraduates enter employment or further study within six months.

For more information please contact Shelly.Hampshire@rau.ac.uk on 01285 652531.