A South Hams man was recently discovered to be the longest-serving member of the Soil Association.

Bantham resident John Montague, received an invitation, along with his wife Caroline, to the association’s 70th anniversary lunch with Charles, Prince of Wales, at the Horticultural Halls in London on Thursday, June 22.

Prince Charles, who is patron of the Soil Association, was guest of honour and John and Caroline were part of a small group (out of 250 guests) chosen to meet and talk to him.

Caroline explained: “The Prince has a wonderful way of putting you at ease and the conversation flowed freely on the subject of the late founder of the Soil Association, Lady Eve Balfour, who John knew quite well and Prince Charles would have loved to have met.

“John also discussed his career in agricultural research and education and Prince Charles gave his ideas on better publicising the merits of organic food.”

Over lunch, speeches were delivered by Prince Charles and the Association’s chief executive, Helen Browning. And after an organic lunch, John and Caroline returned home to Bantham with a renewed determination to promote the vital work of the Soil Association, which they say is “now needed more than ever before”.

John joined the Soil Association in 1948, and is the longest serving member of the Soil Association. He also spent six years on the association’s committee.

John worked in Rhodesia as an agricultural advisor between 1956 and 1965, specialising in potato farming. He later taught biology at Stoke Damerel High School in Plymouth. He was active in the Soil Association until about 15 years ago.

The Soil Association is the UK’s leading food and farming charity and organic certification body. Their motto is “healthy soil, healthy people, healthy planet”.

For further information, visit the website www.soilassociation.org.