Almost 800 years of service to agriculture will be honoured by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 July 2008 at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

 

The Society’s President, Christopher Hall, will present awards to 20 people who have at least 35 years’ service within the industry, either working in agricultural supply or for a member of the Society – adding up to a grand total of 782 years.

 

The ceremony will take place on the President’s Lawn at 3.30pm on Wednesday 9 July  when each person will receive a certificate and an engraved tankard. They will also be entitled to free entry to the Great Yorkshire Show for life.

 

Among those being acknowledged is Richard Ellison, Regional Director of the National Farmers’ Union North East, who has achieved 35 years’ service.

 

Mr Ellison first joined the NFU in 1972 as a graduate trainee and has worked all over the country during that time. He returned to the north east as Regional Director in 1990.

 

The chairman of the NFU Regional Board, Rosey Dunn, paid tribute to Mr Ellison’s contribution to agriculture over the years. She said: “For Richard, the job begins and ends with the membership and that approach is something money can’t buy. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this long service award.”

 

Also being honoured at the presentation are a head gamekeeper, horticultural groundsman and farm manager. For the full list see the table below.