CLA members win at ‘biggest-ever’ celebration of farming

CLA members win at ‘biggest-ever’ celebration of farming

CLA members celebrated success last night (7 October) at the 2010 Farmers Weekly Awards with wins from four out of 16 categories.



Members were presented with their awards in front of a 1200-strong audience at the "biggest-ever celebration of farming" hosted by TV and radio presenter Liza Tarbuck, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Stephen Temple, of Norfolk, won the award Green Energy Farmer of the Year. His mixed arable, dairy and cheese business has three biomass boilers to heat the grain store, provide hot water for the milking parlour and cheese making unit as well as an anaerobic digester using slurry, maize silage and whey to make methane.

The award for Countryside Farmer of the Year was won by Brian and Patrick Barker of Suffolk. The young cousins are inspirational in their practical approach to combining profitable farming with highly effective conservation work. Their visionary scheme linking and improving habitats on the 550ha family farm by taking land out of production has also increased average yields and overall profitability.

Diversification Farmer of the Year was awarded to David and Jayne Newman of Stroud Hill Park in Cambridgeshire. They operate a caravan park and restaurant serving their own lamb, pork and beef with a paintball site and fishing lake.

Arable Farmer of the Year went to John Goodchild, manager of the Bartlow Estate in Cambridgeshire, owned by CLA regional vice chairman Tim Breitmeyer, justly rewarding 35 years dedication and hard work as well as being a tribute to the team which supports him.

CLA President William Worsley said: "All of the CLA member finalists for a coveted Farmers Weekly award have made an outstanding contribution to the rural economy.

"Our congratulations go to Brian, Patrick, David, Jayne, Stephen and John! I am delighted so many CLA members and estates have been recognised for their efforts in successfully running their rural businesses."