Nominees sought for services to agriculture award

Do you know someone whose long service in the agricultural industry deserves to be formally recognised? Nominations are still open for the 2012 Newark & Nottinghamshire County Show Long Service (Single Farm) Award, won last year by John Whitbread from Farnsfield who had completed 48 years’ service on one farm, and for Service to Agriculture Medals.

The Long Service (Single Farm) Award and Service to Agriculture Medals will be presented by the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society President on the Sunday of the County Show, to be held on 12 and 13 May. The winner of the Long Service Award will take home the S Snowden Housley Perpetual Challenge Shield (to be held for one year), ’50.00 and a certificate recording his or her service. Prizes will also be awarded to third place.

Nominees for the Long Service Award need not necessarily live in Nottinghamshire but the farm on which they are employed must be within the county boundary. Entries will be accepted from any of three categories; employees having worked the longest time on one farm, employees having worked the longest time with their current employer, or employees having worked the longest time with ancestors of the current employer. The period of service must be continuous excepting illness and time spent serving in HM Forces.

All applicants will automatically be entered for Service to Agriculture Medals which are issued for 25, 35, 45 and 55 years’ service (unless previously awarded). Nominations are open to employees or self-employed people who have worked a minimum of 25 years ’ not necessarily with one employer - within the agricultural industry in farming, agricultural engineering, and agricultural contracting or within direct support services; such as teaching agriculture, service to the Nottinghamshire Young Farmers Club or a Nottinghamshire small shows society. All applicants must work in the county.