Awards, Awards, Awards 2010 and into 2011

Awards, Awards, Awards  2010.

Happy New Year to all of you out there!
 
What a time we’ve had lately! Awards, Awards, Awards!
 
Firstly I came runner up at the Farmers Weekly awards which were held at the Grosvenor Hotel on Park Lane, London, on 7th of October. The category was Diversification Farmer of the Year, how grand does that sound! Hosted by none other than Lisa Tarbuck and the MC was our very own Alan Dedicote, what a night. I have to say it was as near to the Oscars as I will ever get , there was huge screen where the nominations came up, behind where the presenter stood and then the immortal words... ‘ And the nominations are….’ . I thought for a fleeting, dry throat minute that it might be my name that would be read out as the winner, but alas it was not to be. However, as I’ve been told many a time,’ At least you got to be runner up’, and it is true I am very proud of what we have achieved at the farm over the years. It should also be said that along with my gorgeous wife Lesley, my brother and other key members of staff with their wives /partners, the celebrations were unrestrained. As Frankie Valli and the Four seasons  put it so well....' Oh what a night'.
 
Two months later and I get a call from the marketing director of Agro vista (supplier of our agro-chemicals) inviting Lesley and myself to the House Of Commons for dinner as their guests, they were sponsoring an award at the National Farming and Trade Industry awards 2010. Why you might ask, well I had been nominated and shortlisted down to the last two in the category of Progressive Farmer Of The year!
 
 I couldn’t believe it , this must be it ,Hurrah Hurrah I had a second bite of the cherry , it had to be my turn this time…didn’t it ?All the build up , the speculation, the checking out of the opposition ! The nerves, the excitement, the expectation!
 
Friday 10th Dec soon came and it was up to London where we were put up in the Westminster Bridge, Marriot Hotel with a lovely room over looking Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. We quickly changed into our Dickey bow and cocktail dress ( I was wearing the Dickey bow, and Lesley the dress), and proceeded over to the House of Commons, trying desperately to network and mingle at the same time as take pictures, which caused the pair of us to inadvertently collide with and very nearly push Adam Henson, (the country file presenter), headfirst into the river Thames!! Won’t be getting on that programme then!
 

 
Through security of the House Of Commons ,quick glass of Champagne and  into the members dining room for a lavish dinner , without causing further embarrassment to ourselves ,Superb ! 
 
First award up, Progressive Farmer of the year, what do you reckon? Yes you’ve guessed it I …..came…….2nd again, highly commended…. but still 2nd! One day, one day I will win. In the words of the Terminator “I’ll BE BACK”
 
Seriously, I can’t thank Nick Rainsley ( Marketing Director of Agro vista ) enough' he made us so welcome and looked after us impeccably and the party back at the hotel later was terrific, even if it did result in a very late bedtime. All in all we had a really good weekend, one to remember and next time not only will I try harder....but I hope to finally get the acceptance speech out.
 
Oh yes, and we had a fab Christmas market in Bath and we have lots of exciting plans for the New Year, so watch this space.
 
So, here is to a terrific 2011......and remember always Fussel up your food!!!!!
Andy.