No time like the present for industry award nominations

They say that as you get older events come more quickly. This is probably an illusion.

But there is no illusion in the need for the industry to step up the pace in the task of putting forward the nominations for this year’s British Potato Industry Award as these will close a month earlier than usual on June 30, 2009.

The reason for the shift is, of course, the relocation of levy bodies to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board at Stoneleigh, with Potato Council now a wholly owned subsidiary.

But, Potato Council chairman Allan Stevenson is determined to see the award, designed to recognise a lifetime’s work in or a more recent outstanding contribution to the industry, continue for the foreseeable future.

"We would like to see it continue as we see it as very important for the industry. The award scheme was started 12 years ago in 1997 and we are custodians of it. I think it is really important that an industry the size of the potato industry acknowledges people who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole over their lifetime," he said.

"I presented the award last year to Dr Stuart Wale of SAC, a man who has helped me and my farm for many years and whose work has made a significant contribution to the industry at home and abroad."

"We think it is important the contribution by award winners have their efforts recognised because so often these people are the unsung heroes of the industry. A lot of people in this industry are not especially well known; they don’t make the front pages of newspapers nor are they invited to celebrity events, but these people are really, really important."

They had helped shape the British potato industry as a world leader. This had been confirmed at the recent World Potato Congress in New Zealand. "It was amazing to find how strongly the British potato industry is recognised for what it does in marketing and various areas across the world and it is worthwhile recognising those people who helped create this interest."

Much the same message came from Graham Finn, associate director of McCain. The award was unique in this country in being the result of selection and honour by one’s peers. "It is quite an accolade to be selected as the crème de la crème in the industry."

In spite of having spent most of his working life in the industry, Mr Finn is one of the "new boys on the block" as one of the new judges of this year’s award and is keen to see it continue.

Anyone wishing to nominate a person for the British Potato Industry Award should send a nomination form to the award committee secretary by June 30, 2009. The award committee, drawn from the different sectors of the GB potato industry, will select the winner.

The winner of this prestigious award will receive a sterling silver rose bowl which will be presented later in the year.

Nomination forms are available from the award committee secretary, Gloria Cox, Potato Council, 4300 Nash Court, John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2RT. Tel: 01865 714455, fax: 01865 782204, e-mail: bpindustryaward@potato.org.uk or download a copy at: http://tinyurl.com/o95dab