Hazel Byford

Biographical Information
"Hazel Byford was born in January 1941 and educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews, Fife. On leaving school, Hazel attended the Northamptonshire Agricultural College at Moulton. She was a poultry farmer producing parent stock for Thornbers.

"From 1961 to 1976 she joined the Women's Royal Voluntary Service as a member of the County Staff, and was County Organiser for Leicestershire from 1972-76. She is married with a daughter, son (deceased) and three grandchildren.

"She is Canon of Leicester Cathedral, President of LEAF and Leicestershire Clubs for Young People and a Fellow of Royal Agricultural Societies. She is also a patron of The Women Food & Farming Union and Under Warden of the Worshipful Company of Farmers.

"Lady Byford was Chairman of the East Midlands Women's Conservative Committee from 1986-89, Women's National Vice Chairman from 1989-90, and Chairman from 1990-93.

"She was Vice President of the National Union 1993-95 and President in 1996. She chaired the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth in 1996. Lady Byford was created a Life Peer in 1996.

"Lady Byford was opposition spokesman for MAFF and then DEFRA from 1997 until 2007."

Affiliations

 * Patron, National Forest Charitable Trust

Related Sourcewatch

 * Peter Osbourne