Former Brigadier to head up Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society

Retired Brigadier Andrew Meek, former Commander of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade based at Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury, led the Army in the region for three and a half years until his retirement.

He became Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 for his work that included organising the involvement of regional troops in high profile national issues such as the fuel crisis, floods, Foot and Mouth crisis and the fireman's strike during his time in Shrewsbury.

Andrew Meek, of Wollerton, near Market Drayton, has now been appointed as general manager of the Society, based at the West Midlands showground in Shrewsbury.

He said: "The opportunity to help the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society organise and run the annual Shropshire Show is one that I am delighted to have been offered.

“The Show is such an integral part of Shropshire and all the County represents: to be involved with the Society and the Show is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am particularly conscious of the excellent work that has been done in recent months to ensure that the Agricultural Show is a success.

“My challenge is to ensure that success is maintained well into the future. I am looking forward to the future with eager anticipation."
Brigadier Meek takes on the role following the departure of Mary Hopkins, who moves to pastures new at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society.

Neale Sadler, chairman of the Society, said: “We wish Mary every success in her new role. She has worked extremely hard for the society over what has been a difficult few years and her hard work has been integral to the survival of the Shropshire County Show.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Andrew Meek on board. He has the skills, knowledge and experience to really take the Society forward and we look forward to a successful future.”