Appleby NFU man is best in country

Appleby NFU group secretary, Mike Sanderson, is officially the best in the country after he managed to retain and recruit a bigger percentage of farmers for the union than anyone else.

A farmers son and sheep enthusiast, Mike is famous in his locality for his quick wit, humour and his monthly notes in the British Farmer and Grower magazine - which are a side ways glance at the often strange things that happen to the farming community of Appleby in Cumbria.

Mike achieved a percentage core income result against a target of 105.38%. This was achieved with a fully paid up membership of 300, a net increase on the previous year.

NFU's head of membership, Huw Hilditch Roberts, said: "Mike's ability not only to retain members but also recruit new members, eleven in the year, must not go unrecognised as this is a fantastic result."

Commenting on his award, Mike, said: "I do my job the same way as I did 18 years ago when I first got it. I provide an old fashioned service and I'm thrilled that it's been recognised.

"You could argue that it has taken me 17 years to learn the job. Seriously though, this job was designed for me. I love getting out onto farms and talking to farmers. My kids think that all I do is drink tea and eat cakes all day.

"I was raised on a tenant farm on the top of Shap so I see myself as a peasant acting on behalf of other peasants and that's my passion."

For recognition of his achievement, Mike was presented with an award and a painting of a Cumbrian farming scene at the annual NFU Cumbria dinner last week.