Last updated at 15:50, Friday, 28 September 2012

Forty years of dedication to agriculture in Cumberland were recognised with a Blamire medal at one of the last shows of the season.

Mervyn Edwards

Mervyn Edwards, 66, of Fairhill Close, Penrith, was given the honour by Blamire Trust trustee Robert Morris-Eyton under cover of an umbrella at Sunday’s very wet Borrowdale Shepherds Meet and Show.

In 2009, Mr Edwards was awarded an MBE for his services to farming and he played a key role during the foot and mouth crisis. Much of his career has been with the Ministry of Agriculture where he was a Defra advisor from 1982 before retiring last May from Natural England’s environment team.

Mr Edwards said: “My role was to assist farmers on grant-aided schemes.

“I feel proud and absolutely delighted to get the award. When I was asked where I wanted to be presented with the award I chose the show because it relates to the work that I did and I have spent many happy years visiting the show.”

In March, he was appointed to Newton Rigg’s uplands group, which aims to transform Low Beckside Farm into an Uplands Institute. He has been secretary of Cumbria Hill Farm Discussion Group since 1983.

The Blamire medal is awarded to people who excel in agriculture and its associated industries.

First published at 13:55, Friday, 28 September 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk