Devon County Show - Honouring nearly five hundred years of service

Thirteen people who have a total between them of 475 years working in agriculture, forestry and horticulture have been honoured today at the Devon County Show.

They have received special long service awards for their time andcommitment to some of the most important elements of the county’seconomy.

Top of the list was David Lee from Shobrooke near Crediton who hasbeen in farming for more than 49 years. He has been awarded £80, atankard and certificate.

A certificate, tankard and £50 went to William Mann from PetersMarland near Torrington for working in forestry for 42 years. He was one of four men from the Forestry Commission receiving awards.The others were Simon Tremain (Okehampton, 37 years), David Powell (Okehampton, 35 years) and Malcolm Hill (Lydford, 35 years).

Thirty-four years in the dairy industry earned Alan Westwood fromNewton St Cyres near Exeter a certificate and tankard along with his fellow J G Quicke and Partners colleagues Graham Woodman (Crediton, 32years in farming) and Stuart Dowle (Newton St Cyres, 31 years infarming).

Exeter’s Philip Smith from St Bridget Nurseries was the sole recipient of an award for services to the nursery trade after 30 years in the business. Other awards went to:

Chris Bragg from Hartland in North Devon - £30 certificate andtankard, 39 years in farming;

David Edwards from Morwenstowe near Bude in Cornwall - certificate andtankard, 38 years in farming;

Derek Peard from Okehampton - certificate and tankard, 35 years in farming;

Michael Bawden from Burwood near Torrington - certificate and tankard,32 years in farming.