Hundreds honour Norfolk farming great David Richardson
David Richardson © Jason Bye Hundreds of people attended a memorial service of thanksgiving for the life of Norfolk farmer, journalist, broadcaster and former Farmers Weekly columnist David Richardson.
Members of the farming community, media, friends and family gathered at the Royal Norfolk Showground today to celebrate the life of Mr Richardson – one of Norfolk’s most influential rural voices.
People travelled from across the county and country to attend the service at 1pm, led by the Rev Gordon Gatward, formerly chaplain for the Royal Agricultural Society of England and a founding trustee of the Henry Plumb Foundation alongside Mr Richardson.
See also: Tributes paid to Norfolk farming great David Richardson
© Johann Tasker
More than 500 people filled the Norfolk Events Centre – a venue chosen for Mr Richardson’s 60-year association with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Royal Norfolk Show.
Conducted from a stage framed by a 1940s Allis Chalmers tractor and a 2025 John Deere, the setting visually represented the extraordinary span of Mr Richardson’s farming life and career.
His son Rob read an excerpt from the autobiography of Robert C Richardson, David Richardson’s father, while son Andrew delivered a moving personal eulogy.
John Thorley, chairman of the Henry Plumb Foundation, and Rev Angela Reynolds both delivered moving readings. Hymns and performances by the Tom Appleton Singers and brass quintet featured throughout the thanksgiving service.
© Johann Tasker
Leaf co-founder
The Farmers Weekly Podcast spoke with friends and family after the service, who shared warm tributes to Mr Richardson.
Baroness Minette Batters, former NFU president, paid tribute to Mr Richardson’s national significance, recalling his role in co-founding the charity Leaf (Linking Environment and Food) and his determination to champion sustainable farming.
She reflected on many fond memories of Mr Richardson.
“For me, he was always such a supporter, such an enthusiast. He appealed to every single generation,” she told Farmers Weekly Podcast co-host Johann Tasker.
“As I said, the pioneering Norfolk farmer, David Richardson, brilliant man. He always had a little quip, and it was usually, ‘go get them, girl’.
“He was really supportive, right from the beginning, at a time when not everybody was.”
She added: “A few people worried about a woman picking up the helm at the NFU and David and Lord Plumb, as the sort of old guard if you like, were so supportive to me.
“They never challenged me in public. They had wise words of advice, and they were always there. You don’t get many people like that.
“Lord Plumb and David Richardson were two very, very special people for farming.”
Her tribute echoed comments made across the industry since Mr Richardson – hailed as a farming “legend” – died in August at the age of 88.
His son Andrew offered an intimate reflection on his father’s character. “Dad was fair, funny, loving and sensitive,” he said.
“He didn’t come across as sensitive necessarily, on television, although I think he was sensitive to an awful lot of the stories that he always got himself involved in.”
Andrew thanked everyone in the farming community for their support.
“We’re thrilled to bits by the response. The wishes and condolences and letters have been just overwhelming,” he added.
Rev Gatward described it as a “wonderful privilege” to lead the service, recalling Mr Richardson’s humour, mentorship and gift for storytelling.
“What I particularly loved about David was his sense of humour. We had some very good nights sitting there in the Farmers Club talking together; lots and lots of stories,” he said.
“He was a great storyteller. People know him for his written word, but spoken word – he knew how to get a punchline across.”
© Johann Tasker
Ahead of his time
Philip Wynn, chairman of Leaf, spoke about Mr Richardson’s impact, especially at the launch of the charity in the 1990s, saying he was “inspirational” and decades ahead of his time in promoting integrated farm management.
The Richardson family thanked the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) for hosting the event.
Donations were invited to the RNAA Food and Farming Discovery Trust and The Big C cancer charity, with refreshments served after the service. Donations are still being accepted online at www.ivanfisher.co.uk/davidrichardson.