Cheshire dairy farmer wins award for services

Cheshire dairy farmer Denis Parton is the 2012 winner of the Capesthorne Millennium Cup.

The cup was donated to the Cheshire Agricultural Society by Mr and Mrs Bromley Davenport of Capesthorne Hall and is awarded annually for ’exceptional endeavour’ in promoting the interests of agriculture or countryside related activities in Cheshire.

Denis, of Boot House Farm in Tarporley, was nominated for the award by the NFU, an organisation he’s shown unequivocal dedication towards for many years. As a member of the YFC, he got involved in county debating competitions and would always ask NFU officeholders for advice on whatever subject they were debating. He was so impressed with the quality of the farmers involved with the NFU that he joined as a non-farming member at the age of 23 and has been a member ever since.

His roles in the NFU have been many and varied. Denis was NFU Beeston Castle branch chairman for two years before becoming Cheshire vice chairman, Cheshire deputy chairman and finally Cheshire county chairman in 1995. He’s served on the NFU’s national employment and education committee as well as the parliamentary, land use and environment committees. His last role for the organisation was NFU North West regional management board chairman.

Alongside his NFU work, Denis has been a passionate member of Round Table, a founder member of Tarporley Rotary Club, is a governor at Reaseheath College, and a council member of the Cheshire Agriculture Society.

NFU North West’s regional director, Robert Sheasby, said: "It would be difficult to find anyone else who has proved such a good ambassador for Cheshire agriculture over such a long period of time. He has always been respected by his fellow farmers because he started farming on his own and built up a successful dairy business as a tenant. Many of the positions he’s held are voluntary which indicates that he cares more about the issues than his own benefits."

Following the presentation of the cup, Denis Parton said: "I am honoured to have been awarded the Capesthorne Millennium Cup and feel I am receiving it on behalf of all the farmers who freely give up their time to work on behalf of the industry, often without any recognition at all.

"I am also pleased that the organisation which nominated me for the award is the NFU. Practically everything I’ve achieved in my farming life has been done with the help and support of the NFU and its members. It has played a special part in my life."