Entries are sifted for The Yorkshire Post’s Rural Awards
JUDGES HAVE met to weigh up the merits of entries for The
Yorkshire Post’s inaugural Rural Awards, which celebrate the vital role our rural and agricultural community play across the county.
Adam Bedford, regional director of the NFU, Dorothy Fairburn, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Charles Mills, show director at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Jeanette Dawson, principal and chief executive of Bishop Burton College, put together their shortlist at the newspaper’s headquarters in Leeds yesterday.
Sponsored by Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, the awards will celebrate the vital role that the rural and agricultural community plays in the economic success and profile of our region. James Mitchinson, editor of
The Yorkshire Post, said: “I would like to thank all of the judges for their diligence and fairness.
“I was extremely impressed by the quality and breadth of the entries, particularly given this is the first time we have done this.
“I would also like to thank the sponsors for their contribution, which has made this event possible, and I would like to wish all of those shortlisted good luck on the night.”
The awards span 12 categories and will culminate in a grand celebration hosted by TV presenter Harry Gration at Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Thursday, October 12.
They will be well-deserved public recognition of how hard-working, forward-thinking and market-leading the county’s rural businesses are, as well as a celebration of some of the most well-respected individuals who contribute so much to our countryside communities.
The awards categories include farmer of the year, young farmer of the year, rural tourist attraction, farm shop, studentapprentice award, diversification, professional services to the community and vet of the year among others.
There is also a lifetime achievement award for an individual who has dedicated decades of service to agriculture.
The shortlist will be announced in the coming weeks in print and online.
Visit the awards website www. ypruralawards.co.uk for more information.