Nottinghamshire farmer and longstanding NFU officeholder, Matt Twidale MBE, was presented with the NFU's John Nullis Award at the Nottinghamshire AGM in Newark on Monday 30 January.
Matt, who farms at Kirklington, with his sons Andrew and Tim, was awarded the accolade to mark his long and prestigious NFU career in the sugar beet industry. The award, made in memory of Nottinghamshire NFU delegate John Nullis, from Dry Doddington, who died in March 2002, is awarded to a Nottinghamshire person to mark their contribution to farming and horticulture in the county. On Monday it was presented to Matt Twidale by John Nullis' daughter Wendy McCallin.
Matt Twidale said: "I'm delighted and honoured to have received this award from Nottinghamshire NFU. It means all the more to me as John Nullis, in who's name it is awarded, was a good friend for many years - we traveled many miles together for the NFU. It is a great pleasure to receive the award."
Matt's long and illustrious career representing the sugar beet growing industry, started in 1980 when he first became a Nottinghamshire county NFU delegate and member of the national sugar beet committee. He became chairman of that committee in 1987 and served for 15 years, standing down in 2002. During this time he represented sugar growers on the European and world stages, becoming a member of the European Commission's Sugar Advisory Committee, member of the European beet growers organisation, CIBE and of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers.
At home in Nottinghamshire, Matt has given time to be a director of the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, vice chairman of the board of Brackenhurst College, a church warden, and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society. In 2001 he was awarded the MBE for his services to the sugar beet industry.