Cheshire NFU gets new deputy chairman

Richard Clegg of Moss Brow Farm in Lymm is the NFU's new Cheshire Deputy County Chairman.

Mr Clegg, 44, who has a 200 acre farm where he grows potatoes and cereals, took up the prestigious position this week. He will now deputise NFU Cheshire County Chairman Ian Lloyd who has been leading the Cheshire farming community without any assistance since February 2005.

Speaking after officially accepting the post, Mr Clegg, said: "Initially I felt this job was for a more successful farmer than me. I was not sure about what I could bring to the table but one or two influential people within the organisation told me not to sell myself short. That's why I decided to give it a go.

"To be honest I felt honoured to be asked as it is a prestigious job. If I'd turned this opportunity down I think I would have always regretted it. There are some very able young farmers in Cheshire so I'm fairly certain that my chance would not have come around a second time."

Richard lives on his family owned farm with wife of 20 years, Karen, and their two boys, William, 15, and Paul, 11. He has been an arable farmer all his working life.

Aspects of NFU work that Richard is particularly looking forward to getting his teeth into include legislation involving waste and water.

"Proliferation of new houses and all the problems that brings to urban based farms is another big issue I'd like to tackle," added Mr Clegg.

The Clegg's also run a farm shop which mainly sells fruit and vegetables. They sell a lot of what they grow and also buy some products in. Richard also has a keen interest in ornithology and the environment.