NFU Cymru Recognises Farm Employees with Award

NFU Cymru has launched the 2008 NFU Cymru / NatWest Farm Employee Award, which recognises the vital role played by employees in the farming industry. The Award winner will receive a top prize of £500 and a Royal Welsh Society Trophy; with the two runners-up each getting a prize of £100.

The Award, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by NatWest bank. Applications are invited from throughout Wales on behalf of, or from full and part time employees, who have been in employment for a minimum of five years.

Edmund Bailey, NFU Cymru Vice President said, "Many Welsh farms would not be as successful as they are without the continued hard work and dedication of farm employees. This important role has been un-recognised for too long and NFU Cymru has decided to give them the high profile they deserve."

Martin Doyle, NatWest's Regional Agricultural Manager for Wales added, "Employees make a tremendous contribution to farming and play a large part in making the farm enterprise a successful economic unit, and we want to recognise that."

Last year's winner was Ernest Griffiths from Clynderwyn, Pembrokeshire, who works for Walter Simon at West Orielton Farm, near Pembroke.

Ernest is 65 but has no intention of retiring and his employer, Walter Simon, wouldn't want him to as he is delighted to continue having him around.

As Walter says, "He is such a good employee that I know I can leave the business in a safe pair of hands while I pursue other interests. You could not get a better example of a dedicated, devoted, involved and thoughtful employee, to the extent that it could be his own business he is working for."

In regards to Ernest winning the NFU Cymru / Natwest Farm Employee of the Year Award Walter said, "Ernest thoroughly deserves this award. Those that work on the farm are the bedrock of agriculture. We entered Ernie for the competition because we felt his hard work was worthy of recognition."

The closing date for entries is Thursday, 12 June 2008 and the winner will be announced on the Thursday of this year's Royal Welsh Show at the NFU Cymru stand.

Anyone interested in entering the Award should contact NFU Cymru for more details and an application form. Write to NFU Cymru, Welsh Farm Employee Award, Ty-Amaeth / Agriculture House, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3TU. Email: sarah.jones@nfu.org.uk. Telephone: 01982 554200.