Farm Conservation and Environmental Improvement Rewarded

Conservation and environmental improvement were the focus when the contribution of farmers across the north of England was recognised at the Great Yorkshire Show today.

Now in its 14th year, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s prestigious Tye Trophy award covers farms in six regions in the north, with a regional winner from each and one overall trophy winner.

The Tye Trophy went to Malcolm and Marty Handley, who have farmed at Slaidburn in Lancashire for 35 years and received the award from Yorkshire Agricultural Society President, Simon Theakston.

Malcolm and Marty run beef cattle and sheep, with the cattle grazing moorland for part of the year. They have grassed meadows and new hedgerows and the judges were impressed by their big role in education, with students attending twice a week for two years to achieve BTEC qualifications. Marty said: “We were surprised and honoured to win because we felt everyone else were worthy winners too.”

Yorkshire Agricultural Society Chief Executive Allister Nixon said: “This competition demonstrates to the farming industry and the general public how farming can combine the twin goals of sustainable food production and looking after our land and environment. It encourages all farmers with examples of what is already happening around the north and acts as an inspiration of what can be achieved.

“With the turbulent times affecting all of us and farming, we need to promote the industry and shout about the quality of the food produced and the work done by farmers looking after our landscape and environment.”

Each of the remaining six county winners also received a prize and a county trophy.

The regional winners were:

• Cumbria: Chris Addison, King’s Meaburn, Penrith
• East Yorkshire: Geoff Riby, Low Stonehills Farm, Fraisthorpe, Bridlington
• Lancashire: Malcolm and Marty Handley, Croasdale House Farm, Slaidburn
• North Yorkshire: Trudy and David Sanderson, Bonfield Ghyill Farm, Bransdale
• Northumberland: Tom and Karen Burn, Hunting Hall, Beal, Berwick on Tweed
• South and West Yorkshire: Michael and Thomas Woolhouse, Red House Farm, High Melton
• Tyne Tees: Paul and Jen Johnson, Herdship, Harwood, Barnard Castle

The Great Yorkshire Show has become a four-day event after a raft of changes were implemented at the 2021 show due to Covid 19 regulations.

EDITOR’S NOTES

• The Great Yorkshire Show is England’s premier agricultural event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), a registered charity supporting rural Yorkshire.
• YAS supports and promotes the farming industry through health care, business, education and scientific research.
• The Society is supported by its family of businesses including Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park as well as events Great Yorkshire Show and Springtime Live.
• Businesses and events held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in 2019 contributed £73.7 million to the economy.

CONTACT: Jo Francisco PR Manager
Mobile: 07954 007414
Email: jof@yas.co.uk 

GYS23_Tye Trophy Winners Malcolm and Marty Handley presented by YAS President Simon Theakston (centre)