The Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2023 Winners Announced
Last week saw the return of the Addington Fund’s Cornwall Farm Business Awards, kindly supported by principal sponsor Cornish Mutual. It was a night of celebration recognising the very best of the region’s agriculture, and indeed its finest farmers.
Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year 2023 sponsored by Stephens Scown Solicitors the Richards Family, J H Richards & Sons (Richards of Cornwall Farm Shop)
Hosted at the iconic Eden Project, guests dazzled as they arrived in black tie and ball gowns. Chilled prosecco was enjoyed overlooking the breath-taking biomes, followed by a delicious two course dinner, comprising of locally sourced produce. The event was bursting with enthusiasm, energy and likeminded people from the Cornish farming community.
Once again, the evening was compered by Daphne Skinnard from BBC Radio Cornwall. The winners were announced over eight categories and this year’s ‘Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year 2023’, sponsored by Stephens Scown Solicitors was awarded to the Richards Family, J H Richards & Sons (Richards of Cornwall Farm Shop). A huge congratulations to the whole team, both front of house and behind the scenes. This award is a true reflection of the hard work and commitment that has been put in to the business.
NFU Cornwall chair, Bridget Whell, rose to the challenge and hosted the auction; picking up the gavel for the first time, entertaining guests with her wit and humour. Bridget helped raise over £2,000 for the 6 lots donated by Addington supporters. Thanks to the generosity of both sponsors and guests, a total of over £5,000 was raised through the auction and prize draw. This phenomenal amount of money goes directly to help British farmers through the work of the farming charity – farmers such as Sarah and James Hoskings who were supported with housing after James was unable to work after falling ill with sepsis.
The awards showcased an exceptional line up of nominees and congratulations go to all of the winners and runners up from each category:
Best Commercial Farmer sponsored by Carter Jonas & AMC
Winner: The Richards Family, J H Richards & Sons
Runners up:
Chris Bond, W H Bond & Sons Ltd
Gareth Jones, B M Jones
Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Azets Accountants
Winner: Georgina Roberts, Hunrosa, Trye Farm
Runners up:
Jenny Olds, Cornhill Farm
Lynn Pridham, Pridham Agricultural Contractors
Best Mixed Farmer sponsored by PKF Francis Clark
Winner: The Semmens Family, J R Semmens & Sons
Runners up:
Charles Richards (Family & Staff), C P Richards & Sons Ltd
Alan & Karenza Hembrow, A & K Hembrow
Best Farm Processor sponsored by Savills
Winner: The Spierings Family, Cornish Gouda Co.
Runners up:
Seth Pascoe, Cornish Seaberry Company
James Mably, Sea View Farm Shop
Best Dairy Farmer sponsored by Saputo Dairy UK
Winner: Selena Richards (Family & Staff), C P Richards & Sons
Runners up:
Tim Wood, JAH Wood & Sons
Andrew Nicholls, H K Nicolls & Son
Best Young Farmer sponsored by NatWest
Winner: Ben & Josh Nicholls, Nicholls & Co
Runner up:
Abi Lugg, Penhesken Farm
Best Sustainable Farming Initiative sponsored by Cornish Mutual
Winner: Riviera Produce Ltd
Runners up:
Rob Stacey, Rowe Farming Ltd
The Spierings Family, Cornish Gouda Co
Farming Champion sponsored by NFU
Winner: Edward Richardson, Farm Cornwall
Runners up:
Pete & Jenny Olds, Cornhill Farm
The Awards are an extraordinary celebration of British farming and without the support from the sponsors, they would not be possible. The Addington Fund would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the awards and all the guests that attended to enjoy the event.
Special thanks also go to: Haines Watts and James Kittow for sponsoring the beef, Wildanet for sponsoring the programme, Westcotts South West LLP for sponsoring the drinks reception, Riviera Produce for providing the vegetables for the meal, Shane Solomon for performing and providing the post awards evening entertainment, Furniss of Cornwall for supplying biscuits to accompany after dinner teas and coffees, Rodda’s for supplying the delicious clotted cream for the pudding, Lizzie Melvin Photographer, for supplying professional images of the night.
To get involved with the Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2024, please contact the Addington Fund via events@addingtonfund.org.uk or 01926 620135. To see the latest Addington Fund news and how the fund benefits farmers in need, sign up to the newsletter at www.addingtonfund.org.uk/subscribe .
To see all the photos from the evening, taken by Liz Melvin, please click here.
