Yorkshire Post Rural Awards: The Blakey Brothers heralded for helping of humour
The 10th anniversary edition of the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards underlined the importance of humour as businesses, organisations and individuals who make the region’s rural life special were recognised.
The climax to the black tie ceremony staged at the Pavilions of Harrogate saw long-standing North York Moors dairy farmer Paul Dunn receive the Contribution to Farming Award.
Emcee and farming writer Chris Berry told hundreds farmers and other key rural figures that Mr Dunn had always stood out from the crowd with his distinctively loud voice. He was selected for the honour partly for his service to the community, including as a Ryedale Show stalwart, as well as being an advocate for farming, with contributions including his book Dunn and Dusted.
Mr Dunn said: “If you haven’t read this book your education isn’t complete yet! Look at those sayings at the back. Some people spend money they don’t have, on things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like! And money doesn’t make people happy, does it? But it gives them a bit more comfort in their misery!”
The milestone event saw the introduction the Farming Personality of the Year Award, which is designed to show the industry is about it’s people. Social media stars Craig and Martin Blakey, of Church Fenton, were handed the accolade for being “a distinctive and inspiring voice for farming” with their humourous look at rural life in Yorkshire.
Martin Blakey said a friend suggested the pair document their lives on video, but after he filmed Craig being knocked over while walking his dogs the footage “instantly got 300,000 views”. He said: “Craig didn’t even know what social media was 18 months ago. We’re doing about 20 films a day now and overall since we started we’ve had 120 million views. We enjoy it, meet some fantastic people, characters, Yorkshire’s the best place in the world!”
Other big winners on the night included Rural Rising Star of the Year Mason Dibb, of North Yorkshire Reindeers, and Tom and Laura Platt of Sandhall Farm, Howden, who launched Lister’s Crisps in 2019. The ceremony was told the couple were still running their 2,000-acre farm. Mr Platt said: “We didn’t expect to be where it is today. I don’t have a lot of spare time any more!”
James Barkhouse, Group Executive at Bradford-based headline sponsor Nufarm that farmers share far more in common than the things which separate them.
He said: “Nufarm are proud to be supporting this fantastic event and congratulates all the finalists and winners of the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the resilience, innovation, and dedication of those enhancing Yorkshire’s rural landscape.
"As leaders in agricultural innovation, we are inspired by the creativity of this sector and we are committed to supporting its growth and British agriculture as a whole.”