The National Sheep Association (NSA) has announced the 2015 winner of the highly regarded George Hedley Memorial Award as Julie Sedgewick from County Durham.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Julie has been singled out for the award recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sheep industry.
Julie says: “It was a great honour to have even been nominated for this prestigious award, and to be informed I have now won is just so exciting. To win an award for being involved with something that I have a great passion for is even more special. I must thank my family and the many sheep farming families whose help and support over the last 25 years has enabled me to achieve what I have.”
Born into a farming family, sheep have always been a passion for Julie. Be it breeding, showing or promoting sheep, she has dedicated much of her life to the industry and will step down as NSA Northern Region Manager after 27 years’ service in February.
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: “The effect of Julie’s work is clear to see. She will leave her beloved NSA Northern Region with a host of dedicated and enthusiastic sheep farmers who have witnessed many changes and challenges over the years. These challenges will continue and I have no doubt our farmers will adapt and continue as a prosperous sheep production region that is vitally important to the UK industry.”
Julie’s passion was evident when she began her career in the sheep sector shortly after she left school, taking the lead in unofficially promoting the North of England Mule breed. From there she was asked to take on the role of Oxford Down Sheep Breeders’ Association Secretary and, in 1991, Suffolk Sheep Society Promotion Officer.
She then began her involvement with NSA. In 2001, while the industry recovered from the devastating foot-and-mouth outbreak, she took on the job of coordinating the NSA public-facing hub at the Royal Highland, Royal and Royal Welsh shows. By 2004 she was as co-organiser of NSA Scot Sheep and then the NSA Sheep Event. A couple of years later she became sole organiser of NSA Sheep Event and can arguably be credited with the renaissance of this event, which is now resolutely established in the agricultural calendar.
Phil adds: “Julie has remained at the helm of the NSA Northern Region and it couldn’t be more fitting to give her this award as she steps down after an incredible 27 years’ service to the NSA and the sheep industry as a whole.”
Julie will be formally presented with the George Hedley Memorial Award at the NSA Sheep Event, held on Wednesday 27th July at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Nominations for the 2016 award will be accepted later this year.
NSA has presented the George Hedley Memorial Award annually since 1960. It is given to honour the memory of George Hedley, a highly respected farmer from the Scottish borders who was involved with the NSA (then the National Sheep Breeders Association) for many years. It was while he was NSBA Chairman, travelling to a Council meeting in London on 26th January 1960, that he was tragically killed in a car accident.
Each person who receives the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award is given a specially sculptured statuette of a South Country Cheviot sheep mounted on a plinth carrying the name of the recipient and the words ‘For outstanding service to the sheep industry’. Recipients are also made Honorary Life Members of the National Sheep Association.
