2007 Awards
The 2007 Yorkshire Rural Awards gala evening produced some worthy winners
Television personality Alan Titchmarsh is usually the picture of calm control when he presents his outside broadcasts from the Chelsea Flower Show or the Last Night of the Proms. Even meeting Nelson Mandela was taken in his stride, but the polished performer was lost for words at the Yorkshire Rural Awards when he was made Yorkshireman of the Year.
The Ilkley-born gardening guru had come along to the Pavilions of Harrogate to present the inaugural Yorkshire Rural Awards, organised by Dalesman.
After presenting the seven awards, he stood back while the name of the Yorkshireman of the Year was revealed by Sir Bernard Ingham, author of the book Yorkshire Greats. As his own name was announced, for once Alan’s jaw dropped in astonishment.
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He admitted: “I was flabbergasted. I handed over to Bernard and I thought that was me done. It was such a surprise and a great thrill. To be awarded something like this by your peers, your fellow Yorkshiremen and women, takes your breath away.”
Sir Bernard paid tribute to Alan’s role in helping to beautify Yorkshire — and the world — as well as his wide-ranging charity work including as patron of Horticap, the Harrogate-based group which trains people with learning difficulties in horticultural skills and which received a £5,000 cheque from the awards organisers.
Photograph by Bill Wilkinson
The other winners were:-
Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael and Tom Bannister of Coniston Hall for their work in transforming the Coniston Cold Estate from a traditional agricultural holding into a hotel and leisure centre. Highly commended: David Aynesworth and Robert Walker.
Environmental Project of the Year: Elvington Parish Council for what is believed to be the first self-help flood defence scheme by a parish council anywhere in the country. Highly commended: Boroughbridge and District Angling Club and the Wharfedale Volunteer Group of the National Trust.
Farm Business of the Year: Paul and Kate Langthorne (above) for their bold diversification into everything from buffalo to yak and emus. Highly commended: Balloon Tree Farm and Hesketh Farm Park.
Food & Drink Producer of the Year: Raydale Preserves which has grown from a kitchen-table business to a major employer in the area. Highly commended: The Pantry at Rams Head and Peacocks Desserts.
Restoration of the Year: Hellifield Peel, a fourteenth-century fortified tower which has been saved from the brink of collapse by Francis and Karen Shaw. Highly commended: Stan Bargh and Gayle Mill.
Young Achiever of the Year: Louise Williams, organiser of the Limestone Beef Project which is returning hardy cattle to the Dales uplands. Highly commended: Kirstin Glendinning and Peter Gratton.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Colin Speakman, veteran transport campaigner, joint founder of the Yorkshire Dales Society, creator of the Dales Way and one of the instigators of the Grassington Festival.