Lady St Levan has been elected by the Council of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association as President for the 2017 Royal Cornw

Mary, as Lady St Levan is happy to be known, is relishing the role, even though she knows that a busy three days await her at Cornwall’s largest annual event.

She said: "It is a wonderful showcase and celebration of the rural economy in Cornwall.

"It gathers together people who choose to live and work in this beautiful landscape and who contribute so much to the economy and the community of Cornwall.

"From the livestock to the food and drink producers and onto the flower tent and beyond, quality and commitment are the hallmarks running through the show.

“The show is an absolute highlight of the Cornish year and a great meeting point.

"I love the sense of arrival and looking forward to meeting up with friends and family as well as the opportunity for chats with business colleagues.

“My first point of call is always the cattle lines. It is so evident how well the cattle are cared for and regarded by their owners.

“Another must see is the Grand Parade of Livestock and, for a dash of adrenalin, the Inter-Hunt relay.

“I think we are incredibly fortunate in Cornwall to have such a vibrant and entertaining show.

“The core team at the showground achieve so much and the volunteer stewards make the whole thing possible.

“Last year, I was fortunate enough to visit the new control centre which reinforced how much preparation and planning goes into the show from one year to the next.”

Mary’s husband James, the 5th Lord St Levan, undertook the role in 1999 and she becomes the seventh member of the St Aubyn family to take up the honour.

The St Levan’s are very much in touch with the farming world, despite living on St Michael’s Mount.

Part of the West Cornwall landscape for more than 600 years, the family’s St Aubyn Estate spans more than 5,000 acres, ranking them among the county’s largest landowners.

Mary’s early career, in stark contrast to her current role as a director of St Aubyn Estates, began as a social worker in London and Plymouth. This was followed by becoming a director of local charities Cornwall Care and Freshfield Service.

Outside of her busy work schedule, Mary spent 12 years serving as a magistrate and is currently a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. She’s also a great supporter of a number of charities including St Teresa’s Cheshire Home, West Cornwall Women’s Aid and St Petroc’s Society.

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For more information about the Royal Cornwall Show please visit www.royalcornwall.co.uk.