OUR fourth rural ‘Oscars’ have been hailed as the ‘best night out’ in the rural calendar by both the farming community and industry professionals.

Around 225 guests celebrated Cumbria’s greatest champions in this year’s Cumbria Farmer Awards, organised by Newsquest Cumbria, in partnership with Cumbrian accountants, David Allen, during a glittering ceremony at Wigton's Greenhill Hotel, on Friday evening.

David said: “As a prominent local business we’ve been heavily involved in the farming and rural community in Cumbria for 27 years. This is where our heart is and it gave us great pleasure to partner with Newsquest to play an even bigger part in the fourth Cumbria Farmer Awards. They’ve got better each year, and this year proved once again to be a massive success.

“A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists.”

Alongside traditional farming sectors, such as dairy, beef, sheep and machinery, the awards also recognised students, agricultural businesses, and women in agriculture.

Hosted for the second year by Cumbrian-born Caz Graham, who reports and presents for BBC Radio 4 programmes, including Farming Today, On Your Farm and Open Country, Caz said: “What a great night to be part of – a real celebration and a wonderful showcase for rural Cumbria.’”

John Wharton, Cumbrian farmer and livestock manager, hosted a live auction and raffle for the nominated charities – Farming Community Network (FCN), and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Joy Yates, regional editor for Newsquest Cumbria, said: “Events like this make me so proud to work in Cumbria. What an amazing night and a huge thank you to our awards partner David Allen and team for being so supportive.

“The category sponsors have all been amazing and the generosity shown by all on the night to raise money for charity was staggering.”

Georgina Lamb, senior partnerships manager with FCN, said: “It was a cracking night spent among true Cumbria royalty at a sell-out fourth Cumbria Farmer Awards. Wonderful evening with the finest farmers, firms and friends the county has to offer. Grateful thanks to everyone who donated auction lots and prizes.”

The Special Recognition Award was presented to Cumbrian farmer and FCN Cumbria Chair, Brian Armstrong, with Georgina saying: Brian got this for basically being a complete legend.”

This year the nominations were judged by a panel of respected industry experts and specialists from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, headed by Michael Peile, partner at Cumbrian accountants David Allen.

Michael said: “Despite the challenging times facing our farming industry, it was a privilege to help celebrate the amazing work of unsung farming heroes again.

“Another year and another fantastic influx of entries. It has once again been a wonderful privilege to be on the judging panel and to see so much talent and dedication in the Cumbrian agri sector.”

Sue Colling, marketing manager for Lloyd Ltd, one of our sponsors, and a judge said: “Seeing the enthusiasm for these awards every year, and the pride the nominees and winners had for being recognised was particularly special.”