Loyalty and hard work are traditional characteristics of East Anglian farming, and every year the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association join with employers in the sector to recognise some of the men and women who have carved long careers on the land.

The awards go to employees who have given continuous service connected with agriculture for 40 years or longer. This year, they are presented to:

Trevor Allen

60 years as a tractor driver for WH Kerkham (Rhoon).

Michael Collison

60 years as a tractor driver for WH Kerkham (Rhoon).

John Hudson

60 years as a farm worker for Chapman Farms (inc EJ Chapman).

Derek Timbers

51 years as an agricultural craftsman for JH Martin & Sons (Littleport).

Richard Cox

43 years as an agricultural craftsman for JH Martin & Sons (Littleport).

Andrew Smith

41 years as an agricultural craftsman for J H Martin & Sons (Littleport).

Philip Currie

50 years as a tractor driver for Hall Farm Suffield.

Derek Osborne

50 years as an agricultural worker for George Thomson (Farms).

Brian Scarlett

49 years as an agricultural worker for James Cargill (Norton Farms).

Raymond Prime

47 years as an agricultural worker for James Cargill (Norton Farms).

Michael Goodey

42 years as a farm mechanic / general farm worker for Roger Joice & Co.

Roy Ansell

40 years as a process worker for Bernard Matthews Foods.

David Bojko

40 years as a driver for Bernard Matthews Foods.

Robert Bumfrey

40 years as a process worker for Bernard Matthews Foods.

Christopher Corke

40 years as health and safety manager – Agriculture for Bernard Matthews Foods.

Kevin Feeke

40 years as a farm manager for Bernard Matthews Foods.

David Thomas

40 years as a process worker for Bernard Matthews Foods.

Glen Ward

40 years as a senior stores person for Bernard Matthews Foods.

David Coe

40 years as a farm worker for Cargill Farms.

Christopher Vincent

40 years as a farm operator for Sentry.

Awards will be presented on the President's Lawn at 11.45am on Thursday.

Timothy Colman Prize

The 2017 Timothy Colman Prize will be presented to Clarke Willis MBE, formerly chief executive of Anglia Farmers, for his services to agricultural and rural communities in East Anglia.

Norfolk Agricultural Apprentice of the Year Competition 2017

Sponsored by Fram Farmers in association with the RNAA and Easton & Otley College

The inaugural award will be presented at the show. The competition has been open to apprentices with a Norfolk employer who is currently studying for an agriculturally related apprenticeship (arable, livestock, horticulture production, agricultural engineering and game and wildlife management).

The prestigious award is an accolade which the winner can use to enhance their cv and help with future job prospects. It will also raise the profile of agricultural apprenticeships and careers in the county.

The winner for 2017 is Molly Sellar, employed by Pearn Wyatt & Son, Snetterton.

Joint runners-up are Matthew Wilson, employed by Park Farm, Bungay, and Ryan Rix, employed by William Youngs & Son (Farm), Sankence.