PCF Fellowship awarded to Lord Curry of Kirkharle

December 9, 2022

On Wednesday 7th December, we announced the latest recipient of our Fellowship, Lord Curry of Kirkharle.

We could not carry out our work helping farming and rural communities without the extraordinary and dedicated work of those who believe so strongly in our values and aims. Our Board of Trustees introduced a Fellowship of the Fund as a way of acknowledging our appreciation of those who have selflessly contributed time and energy to advance the PCF’s work, and this year’s award could not go to a more deserving recipient, Lord Curry.

Lord Curry of Kirkharle was a founding Trustee of the PCF and Chaired the Board of Trustees for five years from 2016 to 2021. Lord Curry brought a wealth of knowledge about agricultural issues and farming to our board and under his tenure as Chair, our work in the farming sector flourished. This included our initial research into the Future of Family Farms which led to the development of the Farm Resilience Programme and more recently the successful bids into Defra’s Future Farm Resilience Fund. Lord Curry’s contribution to PCF changed the course of the charity’s work and we are honoured that he has accepted their Fellows of the Fund award.

On receiving his Fellowship Lord Curry said: “To be given this Fellowship is wonderful because The Prince’s Countryside Fund becomes part of your DNA and embedded within your psyche. I still feel part of the PCF and this Fellowship makes me feel even more part of it. I am delighted with the PCF’s continuing progress, the Farm Resilience Programme has set the bar, wherever I go I keep singing its praises and reminding people they should take advantage of what is on offer. I think it is great in this period of significant upheaval, uncertainty and transition that the PCF is able to play that role within the farming sector.”

Heather Hancock, Chair of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “Lord Curry has been instrumental in making the PCF the charity that it is today, and we’re delighted to recognise this with the award of a Fellowship. We are very grateful for his wisdom, invaluable advice and unfailing support since the PCF’s inception.”

We would like to thank all five fellows (Mark Allen, Stephen Dunmore, Mark Pendlington, Lord Mark Price and Lord Curry of Kirkharle), our Board of Trustees, and our supporters: Aldi, Barbour, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Booths, Caravan and Motorhome Club, Duchy Originals, Forest Holidays, Gregory Distribution, Jordans Cereals, Le Chameau, Marks & Spencer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland, Morrisons, Musto, Sainsbury’s, Samworth Brothers, Saputo Dairy and Waitrose & Partners.