YP Rural Awards deadline extended until Monday

The deadline to enter The Yorkshire Post's inaugural Rural Awards has been extended until Monday morning, giving readers two more days to help us to champion the heroes of the Yorkshire countryside and its agricultural world.
Our awards will celebrate excellence, dedication and innovation in rural Yorkshire.Our awards will celebrate excellence, dedication and innovation in rural Yorkshire.
Our awards will celebrate excellence, dedication and innovation in rural Yorkshire.

Sponsored by Bishop Burton College near Beverley, the awards will celebrate the vital role that the rural and agricultural community plays in the economic success and profile of our region.

These awards will be well-deserved public recognition of how hard-working, forward-thinking and market-leading the county’s rural businesses are, as well as a celebration of some of the most well-respected individuals who contribute so much to our countryside communities.

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The line up of the awards’ judging panel includes a number of the region’s most high-profile and highly respected industry figures who will help to run the rule of the entries in each of the categories.

Joining our panel is the show director of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Charles Mills, the regional director of the National Farmers’ Union for Yorkshire and the North East, Adam Bedford, the regional director for the North at the Country Land and Business Association, Dorothy Fairburn, and the chief executive and principal of the awards’ chief sponsor, Jeanette Dawson, of Bishop Burton College.

Our awards span 12 categories and will culminate in a grand celebration hosted by TV presenter Harry Gration at Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Thursday, October 12.

At the heart of our thinking behind these awards is a desire to promote excellence in our rural communities, to inspire others to follow their lead, and to champion the heroes that make our rural communities what they are. By holding these awards and talking about them, we also want to broaden people’s understanding of rural issues and how the countryside is managed.

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James Mitchinson, editor of The Yorkshire Post, said: “There is so much to celebrate and cherish about Yorkshire’s countryside and the role of its resilient communities, whose importance we endeavour to reflect each and every day in our news coverage.

“From its world class landscapes managed by our farmers and landowners to attract and inspire millions of visitors every year, to the determination of families to eke out a living in ever more challenging circumstances, through these awards we want to shout about the exceptional qualities of rural Yorkshire from the rooftops.

“Now is the time to show the world just what rural Yorkshire is capable of, and indeed what it is already achieving in spades, but we need your help to do so. We really hope the nominations will flood in for our first ever Rural Awards so that The Yorkshire Post can give our county’s countryside communities the bright spotlight it so obviously deserves.”

Bishop Burton’s Mrs Dawson added: “I would encourage as many people as possible to send in their nominations across the range of awards categories, to ensure people working in agriculture receive the recognition they deserve.”

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The deadline for nominations is 9am on Monday, September 11. To enter or to make a nomination, send up to 500 words in support of your entry to [email protected] or visit www.ypruralawards.co.uk and fill in the online form.

CATEGORIES

Farmer of the Year: An inspiring farmer who has gone above and beyond the call of their working life.

Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Rural Insurance: A farmer 29 and under who has demonstrated excellence.

Rural Tourist Attraction: This countryside-based attraction will be able to demonstrate its worth to the rural economy.

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Farm Shop: A food and drink retail outlet that can demonstrate outstanding success as a local employer.

Student/Apprentice: Whether excelling as part of their studies or whilst serving an apprenticeship.

Diversification, sponsored by Wilkin Chapman: A rural business that has grabbed its destiny and changed course.

Professional Services to the Community, sponsored by Ryedale Auctioneers: Rural businesses need support to wade through the paper work.

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Show volunteer: This award celebrates a volunteer whose contribution is outstanding.

Community Group of the Year, sponsored by the Robert Fuller Gallery: A rural group that has brought wide public benefit.

Rural high street or rural retailer: A business or collection of businesses that makes a vital impact on the local economy.

Vet of the Year, sponsored by Kettlewell Fuels: Recognising outstanding service and a consummate professional.

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Whole Crop Marketing: An individual who has dedicated decades of service to agriculture.

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