Official welcome to Tweedie Hall

On Wednesday 21 January, the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) officially opened the doors to Tweedie Hall, its fourth home in 175 years.

RAS President Tim Nixon formally welcomed representatives from the office of His Worship the Mayor of uMngeni Local Municipality, as well as past presidents of the Society, members of the Executive Committee, RAS members, exhibitors, sponsors, and friends of the Society.

He described how the purchase of the historic Tweedie Hall was the happy culmination of a decade-long journey to find a new home suitable for an agricultural show.

In his overview of future plans, RAS General Manager Wayne Muller stated that while foot and mouth disease (FMD) continues to cast a dark shadow, planning for the first Royal Agricultural Show at its new home in 2026 must go ahead with steady hope and resolve.

The Royal Agricultural Show will be held from 29 May to 3 June 2026, and decisions about the livestock sections of the Show will wait, so that the situation with FMD can be watched closely in the coming months.

Sponsors, exhibitors and others present were able to view the proposed layout for the May show, and share their thoughts.

Muller also welcomed special guests David and Mary Marshall, the former owners of Tweedie Hall, who represented the generations of the Morton family who had lived on the property since 1868 and had built Tweedie Hall in 1890.

With local Howick singer-songwriter Chris Dust entertaining, guests were able to enjoy a delicious snack buffet from Nova Challinor of N-Squared Bakery, while Steve Walters of The Cure House provided the one-of-a-kind burgers and tallow-fried chips for which they are so renowned.

The indomitable spirit of the members and supporters of the RAS was once again evident, and bodes well for the shows and events planned for the Society’s 175th anniversary year.