Farming stalwarts presented with society awards

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s President for the year, Sir Ken Morrison, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to William Houseman, of Knaresborough, in recognition of his 60 outstanding years of service to farming in Yorkshire.

Known to many as Willie, Mr Houseman began his career at an animal feed company at the age of 20 and would later help to start Ripon Farm Services.

He enjoyed a successful career in farming-related businesses before “retiring” at the age of 65 to begin operating a fleet management company based at Copgrove.

Mr Houseman has also maintained a strong role in supporting the Young Farmers movement, having started in the organisation as a young man before later going on to become a National Life Member of the organisation.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s chief executive, Nigel Pulling, claimed that “countless young farmers have benefited from his tuition and encouragement”.

Also honoured yesterday were: Peter Clayton, a farm operator from near Goole; Malcolm Dennis, an agricultural craftsman from near Bedale; Stuart Houlder, a farm foreman from near Selby; farm worker and craftsman Philip Nicholson from near Malton; Robin Nicholson, a farm manager from Birdsall Estates; Geoffrey Sedgwick, a grain store manager from Kirklington; Percy Vayro, an estates worker from Clifon Castle Estates, near Ripon; and Peter Woodall, the show secretary at Ryedale Show for decades and well known auctioneer at Cundalls, near Malton.

Their service added up to a total of 356 years between them.

Also honoured during yesterday’s presentations were students Olivia Stockdale, Beth Lloyd, Richard Young and Martin Thistle, all of whom have recently graduated on farming-related courses with support from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.