The Yorkshire Post's 2018 Rural Awards winners are set to be revealed

Together they offer a compelling narrative about the power, foresight and resilience of Yorkshire's rural communities and they create a story that simply must be told.
The Yorkshire Post's 2018 Rural Awards are a chance to celebrate and champion the individuals, business and organisations that contribute to the rural way of life across the county.The Yorkshire Post's 2018 Rural Awards are a chance to celebrate and champion the individuals, business and organisations that contribute to the rural way of life across the county.
The Yorkshire Post's 2018 Rural Awards are a chance to celebrate and champion the individuals, business and organisations that contribute to the rural way of life across the county.

The quality of entries for The Yorkshire Post’s 2018 Rural Awards left our judging panel with a huge task to choose just one winner in each of the categories but today we can reveal who has been shortlisted before next month’s black tie awards ceremony.

Held for a second time and sponsored by Bishop Burton College near Beverley, the Rural Awards champion the individuals, businesses and organisations that make rural Yorkshire such a hotbed of talent and innovation.

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The awards evening at Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground this Thursday will allow us to celebrate just that, bringing to the fore the people at the heart of all that is great about our countryside communities.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will be the host at the awards evening which will take place at Pavilions of Harrogate on October 11. Picture by Andrew Higgins.BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will be the host at the awards evening which will take place at Pavilions of Harrogate on October 11. Picture by Andrew Higgins.
BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will be the host at the awards evening which will take place at Pavilions of Harrogate on October 11. Picture by Andrew Higgins.

The evening begins with a drinks reception from 7pm. Guests will enjoy a three-course meal and live entertainment by talented singer Adie Doyle from Huddersfield.

Hosting the celebration will be BBC television presenter and journalist, Harry Gration, who will interview The Yorkshire Post’s Country Week columnist Julian Norton, on-stage. Julian will be signing copies of his new book ‘The Diary of a Yorkshire Vet’ and a silent auction will raise funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

The stars of the event are of course our shortlisted nominees, whose entries caused much deliberation among the judges, one of whom was Charles Mills, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s show director.

Guests at the awards celebrations are in for an excellent evening, promises Bill Meredith, the principal and chief executive of Bishop Burton College, headline sponsors of The YP's 2018 Rural Awards.Guests at the awards celebrations are in for an excellent evening, promises Bill Meredith, the principal and chief executive of Bishop Burton College, headline sponsors of The YP's 2018 Rural Awards.
Guests at the awards celebrations are in for an excellent evening, promises Bill Meredith, the principal and chief executive of Bishop Burton College, headline sponsors of The YP's 2018 Rural Awards.
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“Everyone who entered can be really proud, it was a tough choice for us as judges,” Mr Mills said.

The other judges were Dorothy Fairburn, northern director of the Country Land and Business Association, Catherine Harris, head of agriculture at law firm Wilkin Chapman, and Amy Morrison, West Riding county adviser at the National Farmers’ Union.

James Mitchinson, editor of The Yorkshire Post, said the awards are a chance to reflect upon the importance of Yorkshire’s rural communities.

He said: “All of Yorkshire can, and should, take great inspiration from the brilliant people in our rural communities who continue to show, whatever is thrown at them, that they are a powerful force who continue to embody the resilient spirit of our great county.

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“We cannot wait to celebrate these individuals and businesses at our awards night, which allows us to publicly celebrate their achievements.

“The Yorkshire Post is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people who look after our rural heartlands, campaigning together for what’s needed to properly care for the complex needs that countryside life brings, such that all of Yorkshire can benefit from all that it offers.”

Bill Meredith, chief executive and principal of Bishop Burton College, added: “This event is so important in highlighting the excellent work and positive success stories within the sector, which is crucial to the wider economy. It promises to be another excellent evening.”

RURAL AWARDS SHORTLIST IN FULL

Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Bishop Burton College: Rebecca and Richard Burniston of Fiddlers Green, Paul Tompkins of South Acre Farm, The Nicholsons of Cannon Hall Farm

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Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Rural Insurance: James Kilner of Heap Field Farm, Georgina Fort of EJ Fort, Matthew Donald of Mount Pleasant Farm, Lucy Corner of Rye Close Farm

Farming Business of the Year, sponsored by Silk Family Law: Breckenholme, Yummy Yorkshire, Wharfe Valley Farms

Rural Tourist Attraction, sponsored by FG Adamson & Son: Wensleydale Creamery, World of James Herriot, Castle Howard Estate Ltd, Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery, Yummy Yorkshire.

Farm Shop, sponsored by the Campaign to Protect Rural England: Farmer Copleys, Bert’s Barrow, Minskip Farm Shop

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Student/Apprentice, sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society: Ruth Broadhead, Daniel Duerden, Alice Clews

Diversification, sponsored by Wilkin Chapman LLP: Cherry View Milk, Breckenholme, Moss Valley Fine Meats, Farmer Copleys, Littlewold Vineyard, The Dawnay Estates

Professional Services to the Community, sponsored by Ryedale Auctioneers: Lowe Maintenance, Wilkin Chapman LLP

Show Volunteer: Eileen Jack, David Ford, Sarah Taylor

Community Group of the Year, sponsored by the Robert E Fuller Gallery: Tadcrafters CIC, Keld Resource Centre Ltd, Hovingham Village Market

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Vet of the Year, sponsored by Kettlewell Fuels: Gemma Thwaites, Leanne Forde, Jonathan Statham, Kimpy Sipma

Rural High Street or Rural Retailer: Bert’s Barrow, Fodder, Pot House Hamlet, Nigel Lister - Ox Close Fine Foods

A Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Cundalls, will be presented at the awards evening to an individual chosen by The Yorkshire Post.

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