The new Royal Cornwall Show president for 2015 is Major Charles Edward-Collins. Despite his military title, he’s a man with deep Cornish roots and a real affinity with agriculture. He lives with his wife, Vicky, at Trewardale, near Blisland at the edge of Bodmin Moor.

The presidential baton, a Cornish tin badge of office, was officially handed over in March at the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association’s annual general meeting by last year’s president, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

The association is steeped in tradition and has elected a president annually throughout its 222 year history. The list of past presidents is peppered with prominent Cornish family surnames. In many cases families are represented over many generations, right up to the present day.

The Edward-Collins family is no exception. Major Charles is related to one of the founder members of the association, initially known as the Cornwall Agricultural Society, which set up the show way back in 1793.

Trewardale has been the family seat for over 400 years, but the Cornish connection stretches back much further.

“We have traced our roots right back as far as the 12th Century with ancestors initially living in St Erth. The move east to the Trewardale estate took place during the 1640s,” said Major Charles.

His father and grandfather were High Sheriffs of Cornwall, and in 1997 Major Charles followed suit in becoming the tenth member of the family since 1280 to hold the same Royal appointment.

Born in India where his grandfather and father both served in the British Indian Army, Major Charles soon moved with his family back to the more familiar surroundings of their native Cornwall and a return to farming.

After enjoying a 20 year career with the 17th/21st Lancers, Major Charles headed home to Cornwall from his final posting in Pembrokeshire. Not one to miss an opportunity, he bought some Welsh Mountain Sheep on the journey home for his new life running the family farm.

“There are still some descendants of those sheep on the farm today,” he adds.

Whilst sheep farming and running successful diversification enterprises on the land, an opportunity to become general manager and eventually owner of the long established Cornish Traditional Cottages was seized. Despite the then owner Michael Powell desiring an ex-serviceman to lead his business, he did have his reservations.

“He thought I was a bit young for the job!”

Retiring from the day-to-day running of the business in 2010, son George, daughter Harriett and her husband, son-in-law Matt, now hold the reins. He is still involved and continues to farm, growing wheat and maize as feed for a neighbouring dairy farm.

Having always enjoyed the Royal Cornwall Show, as a member, he brought Cornish Traditional Cottages to exhibit at the event shortly after joining the business. “It was at the beginning of the trend to convert farm barns in to holiday accommodation and the show was the perfect place to secure new owners.”

The company has exhibited every year since. This year, as president – the first in the family to fulfil the position - the three days of show will be a very different experience, one that he is very much looking forward to.

“I always enjoy visiting the cattle and sheep sections and I find the show’s countryside area fascinating.

“It will also be a great opportunity, as always, to catch up with friends and particularly those from the tourism industry.

“There will be, of course, a presidential visit to the Cornish Traditional Cottages stand and a thorough inspection undertaken!”

The Royal Cornwall Show takes place on 4, 5 & 6 June at the showground near Wadebridge. Visit www.royalcornwall.co.uk for more information and ticket sales.