Memorial service for Norfolk farming great David Richardson

A memorial service celebrating the life and extraordinary career of Norfolk farmer, broadcaster, and journalist David Richardson will take place at 1pm on Friday 14 November at the Norfolk Events Centre, Royal Norfolk Showground, near Norwich.

David, who died peacefully on 18 August aged 87, was a towering figure in British agriculture.

Over more than six decades, he helped shape national conversations around farming, food, and rural life – both as a hands-on farmer and as a straight-talking broadcaster and Farmers Weekly columnist for over 30 years.

See also: Tributes paid to Norfolk farming great David Richardson

David Richardson © The Richardson Family

The thanksgiving service is expected to draw hundreds of attendees from across the country, including members of the food and farming community, media, public life, as well as friends and family.

Led by the Reverend Gordon Gatward, the service will include performances by the Tom Appleton Singers, accompanied by a brass quintet.

Former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters will deliver a tribute, John Thorley, chairman of the Henry Plumb Foundation, will give a reading, and Reverend Angela Reynolds will offer both a reading and prayers.

Members of David’s family will also take part in the service, with his son Rob delivering a reading and his son Andrew giving the eulogy. David’s daughter Fiona has creative responsibility for “dressing the stage” from which the service will be conducted.

“Dad was quite widely known in food and farming throughout the UK, and further afield,” said Andrew.

“With the hundreds of heartfelt messages we’ve received and are so thankful for, we’re looking forward to welcoming Dad’s incredibly broad circle of farming, broadcasting, and professional colleagues – as well as friends and family – as we remember him.

“We chose the Norfolk Events Centre at the Royal Norfolk Showground because Dad gave over 60 years of his life to the RNAA [Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association] and the Royal Norfolk Show. Really, there could be no more fitting venue to host his memorial and thanksgiving service, and we’re very grateful to the RNAA for their support.

“We look forward to welcoming all those who knew him on 14 November.”

Friends and family remember David Richardson in a room set up in his memory by his son Andrew © The Richardson Family

Charity donations

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to two charities close to David’s heart: the RNAA Food and Farming Discovery Trust, and The Big C cancer charity, via the website below.

The family hopes everyone will join them for refreshments after the service, which is expected to last about one hour.

Those wishing to attend are kindly asked to register in advance at: www.ivanfisher.co.uk/davidrichardson