THE Thatchers family hosted an AGM and chairman's visit last month for the Western Counties Agricultural Valuers Association (WCAVA). 

The 124th AGM was heled at Thatchers Cider Farm in Winscombe on June 13 2024. 

The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) advisor, Jeremy Moody, gave a talk on professional matters affecting the industry, and the AGM was followed by a trip around the Thatchers factory, with refreshments afterwards. 

During the AGM, Will Handel of Greenslade Taylor Hunt handed over the chairmanship for 2024/25 to Lucy Back of Sworders.

For the first time, the Charles Wrenford-Brown memorial prize was presented during the day as well. The award is for the candidate who has achieved the highest marks in the Western Counties and Cornish CAAV fellowship exams. 

This year, the winner was Emily Roberts of Bateman Hosegood Ltd who had scored 76% over the two days of examinations held in November last year.

CAAV is an organisation for landowners and farmers throughout the country, and WCAVA cover Somerset and Devon. 

Next year, WCAVA will be holding 125th anniversary celebrations. A number of events are planned during 2025 to promote the association and highlight the work of its members.