TWO people from Exmoor attended the Buckingham Palace Garden Party earlier this month. 

Representatives from the Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) were invited to the first royal garden party of the year.

Katherine Williams, EHFN network manager, and Ian May, chairman, were among the 8,000 guests that attended the event, which was hosted by HM King Charless II and HM Queen Camillia. Also in attendance were the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 

The parties were established so that the royal family could meet a broad range of people from all walks of life, who have made a positive impact in their community. 

Members of the royal family enter the garden at 4pm, where the national anthem is played by a military band. They circulate among guests while music continues to play. 

Katherine said: "I feel very privileged to be part of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network and I am so passionate about the work that we deliver and seeing the difference it makes to many of our farming businesses.

"It was a huge honour to attend the Royal Garden Party acknowledging my contribution to the network. I will cherish the memory for many years to come."

The EHFN celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and it supports more than 450 farming businesses in the Greater Exmoor area. 

The Royal Countryside Fund invited representatives from EHFN to attend, as well as other farm support groups including The Farming Life Centre and Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services, as well as rural community organisations, such as North Norfolk Community Transport and Hour Community.

Keith Halstead, executive drector of The Royal Countryside Fund, added: “The Royal Countryside Fund was delighted to nominate representatives from the Exmoor Hill Farming Network to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party in recognition of the terrific work they do in their community to support local farmers.

"We are proud to be a longstanding supporter of EHFN and to work with them in providing free support to small family farms through our Farm for the Future programme.”