Mr Hovesen, also a former president of the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, was awarded a Fellowship (FRAgS) having been made an associate in 2019. Recruited by Sir John White to manage the Salle estate from his native Denmark, Mr Hovesen won the Norfolk County Farm Business supreme championship some half a dozen times and then became involved with both the Holkham estate and also the Raynham estate. A leading dairy farmer, Mr Proctor, of Shipdham, who was chairman of Norfolk National Farmers’ Union in 2013, was also made an associate in 2019 and has been advanced to a Fellowship at the ceremony on October 15, 2024. Broadland farmer Nick Deane, of Barton Turf, also a former NFU county chairman, was made an associate (ARAgS) for his leadership over the past two decades with water and irrigation issues. As the current treasurer of BAWAG (Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group), his contribution to highlight the concerns and pressures on water related issues had been significant.
Emily Norton, of Frettenham, who is a trustee of the RNAA, and was formerly head of rural research at Savills, was made an associate for her personal contribution to agriculture. A Nuffield scholar and involved in the family’s farm, she read law at Cambridge. Hosted by Lord Taylor of Holbeach, the annual awards highlight individuals who have gone above and beyond, driving change in sustainable farming, supporting charities and pushing the boundaries of research and technology.
Andrew Blenkiron, chairman of the English awards’ panel, and the former director of the Euston estate, near Thetford, said: “These 29 exceptional individuals represent the very best of British farming. Through their leadership and dedication, they have become ambassadors for our industry, exemplifying excellence in important areas such as climate change, animal welfare safety and communicating farming’s message with the general public.”
A total of 19 individuals received an Associate Award (ARAgS) including Judith Batchelar, deputy chair of the Environment Agency, whose terms expires in March 2025. Other recipients from the east of England included Richard Whitlock in recognition of his grain trading career and for many years, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today on cereals; Jimmy Doherty, opening the farm gate to the public – through Jimmy’s Farm and John Pawsey, for successful modern organic farming. The objective of the UK wide CARAS (Council of Royal Agricultural Societies) is to recognise through an awards scheme distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries. The Fellowship or Associateship is a recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the understanding, efficiency and well-being of agriculture. To date, more than 1,200 individuals have been recognised by 800 Fellows and more than 350 associates.
Photographic caption –
Back Row, Jimmy Doherty, Rob Gazely, Richard Anscombe, Poul Hovesen, Nick Deane, Ken Proctor and front row: John Pawsey, Emily Norton, Richard Whitlock.
