A night of celebration at Addington Fund’s Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2024
It was a night of double celebration for Peter and Jenny Olds of Cornhill Farm as they took home the trophy for ‘Best Commercial Farmer’ and were crowned ‘Cornwall’s Farmers of the Year 2024’, sponsored by Stephens Scown, at Addington Fund’s Cornwall Farm Business Awards last week.
The event returned for its 15th year, with seven trophies up for grabs, recognising the best agriculturalists in Cornwall. Over 200 guests gathered at the iconic Eden Project to enjoy a spectacular, locally sourced meal, celebrate Cornish farming and raise money for the national farming charity, Addington Fund.
The 2024 winners are:
Peter and Jenny Olds, Cornhill Farm - Best Commercial Farmer sponsored by Carter Jonas & AMC
Finalists:
Kevin & Katie Hoare, Trenance Dairy
Martin Wallis, S H Wallis & Son
Wendy Nicholas, Trevedra Farm - Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Azets Accountants
Finalists:
Polly Dugmore, Bodrugan Barton
Bex Tonks, St Ewe Free Range Eggs
Christopher Murley, Higher Bojewan Farm - Best Dairy Farmer sponsored by PKF Francis Clark
Finalists:
Jonathan Hosken, Gadles Farm
The Morrow Partners, Treveale Farm
The Hutchings Family, Golden Cow Dairy - Best Farm Processor sponsored by Savills
Finalist: Tristan Hocking and Kian Hocking, Whistle Hill Dairy and Beef
Ben Thomas, Treveddoe Farm - Rising Star sponsored by Cornish Mutual
Finalist: Maddy Knowles, Trink Dairy
Colin Dymond, West Penquite Farm - Farming Champion sponsored by NFU
Finalists:
Polly Dugmore, Bodrugan Barton
Maria Warne-Elston, Tresungers Farm
The event was opened by Sue English, Addington Fund Director, who was joined by Mary Adams, a tenant in an Addington Fund home near Truro. Mary, who had turned 80 that week, told guests her story of how the charity provided her with a new home after her husband passed away and she was unable to carry on the tenancy.
Sue said, “Sadly Mary’s situation is one we have seen many times. A husband and wife who have been farming in partnership for many years and suddenly it’s all taken away. Thankfully, we were able to support Mary with her application for Addington housing and find her a new home.
“Cornwall is really important to Addington and I am so pleased that Mary was able to join us and share her story tonight. I hope it reminded our guests about our work and why our housing work is so vital to many.”
Peter Beaumont from principal sponsor, Cornish Mutual said, “Cornish Mutual is proud to be a long-term supporter of Addington Fund and commend their inspirational work within our rural communities. We were delighted to once again be the principal sponsor of the Cornwall Farm Business Awards, an event that showcases the very best of Cornish farming.
“As part of our on-going commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers, we also sponsored the Rising Star Award and having seen the calibre finalists for this award, I can safely say that the industry is going to be in great hands.”
Phil Reed, Partner at Stephens Scown, sponsors of ‘Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year,’ said, “Every year, the judges come together to choose the ‘winner of winners’, and without fail, I’m astonished by the incredible diversity and success within Cornish farming. Cornwall is home to some of the most hardworking and innovative farmers in the UK, and as a firm, we’re honoured to sponsor the Winner of Winners, recognising and celebrating their remarkable achievements.”
Ross Collins, auctioneer at Lodge & Thomas, expertly encouraged guests to open their wallets during the fundraising auction, which along with the prize draw, raised over £3,000. This phenomenal amount of money goes directly to help British farmers through the work of the farming charity.
The Awards are an extraordinary celebration of British farming and without the support from the sponsors and generous donors, they would not be possible. Addington Fund would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the awards and all the guests that came along to enjoy the event.
Special thanks also go to:
Haines Watts and James Kittow for sponsoring and supplying the pork,
Rodda’s for sponsoring the AV and supplying the clotted cream,
Westcotts for sponsoring the drinks reception,
Wildanet for sponsoring the programme,
Strutt & Parker for sponsoring some of the drinks,
Gavan Goulder for supplying professional images of the event.
To get involved with the Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2025, please email or call 01926 620135. To see the latest Addington Fund news and how the fund benefits farmers in need, sign up to our newsletter.
Thank you to the 2024 sponsors:
