LORD Donald Curry of Kirkharle is to air his views on the future of farming post Brexit at a special evening organised by the Northumberland and Newcastle Society.

The lecture, titled 'The Impact of Brexit on Rural Northumberland', will be delivered by Lord Curry at the Royal Grammar School in Jesmond.

Lord Curry, who farms near Barrasford, has dubbed Brexit "the most important event since the 1947 Agriculture Act."

He said: "It is becoming very clear that Brexit is becoming a catalyst for change. Issues that have been lying dormant or have been largely ignored and neglected will have to be confronted as a consequence of Brexit. EU membership has provided a degree of insulation from the harsh realities of the global market, but what will the impact of Brexit be on rural Northumberland, a region that depends on exports? How should we prepare for this change - the most significant in our lifetime? Can we take the opportunity to address issues that have concerned us for so long and design an exciting future for our precious rural space?”

Everybody is welcome to the talk scheduled for 7pm on Thursday March 8, although places must be pre-booked by emailing administrator@nandnsociety.org.uk.

Members of the Society, which is a registered charity, founded in 1924 to protect and enhance the landscape, culture and built environment for future heritage, can attend at a cost of £10 whilst non-members pay £12. The price includes a light buffet supper.

Best known for his role chairing the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food following the devastating outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001, the resulting recommendations became known simply as 'The Curry Report'.

Knighted in 2001, 'Sir Don', who lives with his wife Lady Rhoda near Barrasford, was chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission, helping steer the beef sector through the 1996 BSE crisis. He was also chairman of NFU Mutual. He’s been chairman of the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) charity since 2015 working hard to improve the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life. Last year he was presented with a lifetime achievement award in the Farmers Weekly awards.

It was the latest in a long line of accolades that recognise Lord Curry's long and distinguished contribution to agriculture.