COLIN Boswell has been named the new Chair of the Isle of Wight branch of The Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Colin replaced Laurence Taylor at a CLA committee meeting on Monday, October 18, in one of the most important rural roles on the Island.

Father of five, Colin, and his family, run The Garlic Farm near Newchurch, a business that includes self-catering accommodation, as well as a farm shop, restaurant, and café, attracting more than 200,000 visitors a year.

He moved to the Island in the 1950s when he was just a child, where his father pioneered the growing of sweetcorn in the UK.

Fast forward several decades and Colin says there is a new influx of fresh faces to the Island who can help its rural economy evolve and grow – a group he calls the ‘new Victorians’.

Colin, who frequently rides his bike around the Island and has observed their impact, said: “New Island residents are increasingly present in the rural scene, and it is important we embrace them.

“I consider myself fortunate to meet many new Islanders.

“They are relatively informed, considerably younger than our average age gathered here and with the energy and tenacity to make an Island life a rich and rewarding one.

“Our new Victorians arrive with money to invest in improving their new location, hopefully to the benefit of all.

“I see the Island CLA as a natural home for many of them.

“We should be welcoming them and offering ourselves as a go-to source of knowledge and contacts within this community.”

As the CLA Isle of Wight branch chair, Mr Boswell will be representing farmers, landowners, and rural businesses across the Island.

He added: “I am grateful to Laurence for chairing the Island CLA through an extraordinary time.

“Thank you, Laurence, for taking on a totally unexpected situation, dumped in your lap, with such good grace, equanimity and attention to detail.”

CLA South East regional director, Tim Bamford, said: “We wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Laurence Taylor for his tremendous work, ideas and enthusiasm over the course of his chairmanship.

“We are delighted to welcome Colin Boswell into the role and look forward to working closely with him over the next few years.”

For more information about the CLA and its work, visit www.cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news