Royal Norfolk Show 2017: Awards recognise service to farming industry

More than 1,000 years service to the Norfolk agriculture industry were recognised at an awards ceremony on day two of the Royal Norfolk Show.

The long service awards sponsored by Woodforde's Brewery were given to employees who have given continuous service connected with agriculture for 40 years or longer. They were handed out to in front of a large crowd gathered on the Presidents lawn at the Norfolk Showground.

For the first time this year, the Norfolk Agricultural Apprentice of the Year Competition 2017 was also held. Sponsored by Fram Farmers in association with the RNAA and Easton & Otley College, the winner was announced as Molly Sellar employed by Pearn Wyatt & Son, Snetterton. The 2017 Timothy Colman Prize was presented to Clarke Willis MBE, formerly Chief Executive Anglia Farmers, for his services to agricultural and rural communities in East Anglia. The awards were handed out by the Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Jane Hedges.

Award recipient not resting on laurels

Clarke Willis MBE, the recipient of the 2017 Timothy Colman Prize said he was honoured to receive the prestigious award at the Royal Norfolk Show. The award, handed out by the Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Janes Hedges, was presented to the former Chief Executive of Anglia Farmers for his services to agricultural and rural communities in East Anglia. 'The recognition is not just for me but a number of people involved with Anglia Farmers too,' he said. 'Although I have retired I won't be sitting at home doing nothing and plan to help East Anglia food and drinks businesses export to China. There is a real hunger from that country for quality English food and drink projects.'

He said Norfolk was fortunate to have so much farming experience. 'If you look at everyone here and how much change they have seen, its quite amazing. What change will the young apprentices of today see in 50 years time?'

The full list of awards:

2017 long service awards: Trevor Allen, 60 years as a tractor driver; Michael Collison, 60 years as tractor driver; John Hudson, 60 years as farm worker; Derek Timbers, 51 years as agricultural craftsman; Philip Currie, 50 years as tractor driver; Derek Osborne, 50 years as agricultural worker; Brian Scarlett, 49 years as agricultural worker; Raymond Prime, 47 years asagricultral worker; Richard Cox, 43 years as agricultural craftsman; Michael Goodey, 42 years as farm mechanic/general worker; Andrew Smith, 41 years as agricultural craftsman; Roy Ansell, 40 years as process worker; David Bojko, 40 years as driver; Robert Bumfrey, 40 years as process worker; David Coe, 40 years as farm worker; Christopher Corke, 40 years as H&S manager; Kevin Feeke, 40 years as farm manager; David Thomas, 40 years as process worker; Christopher Vincent, 40 years as operator; Glen Ward, 40 years as senior stores person.

Timothy Colman Prize: Clarke Willis MBE.

Norfolk Agricultural Apprentice of the Year: Molly Sellar. Joint runners up: Matthew Wilson and Ryan Rix.