The 2008 Yorkshire Rural Awards

The 2008 Yorkshire Rural Awards were held at the Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday 22nd May. Hosted by best selling author and raconteur Gervase Phinn, the awards covered eight categories ranging from Food and Drink Producer of the Year, Environmental Project , Lifetime Achievement and Yorkshireman of the Year.

"I was delighted and honoured to be part of such a prestigious award which celebrated all that is best in our great county. What a wonderfully warm and joyous event it was - long may it continue." Gervase Phinn

Yorkshireman / Woman of the Year

SIR KEN MORRISON

A packed audience saw Sir Ken Morrison receive the top award and the other winners were:

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Lifetime Achievement Award

PETER WALKER

Peter Walker is a Yorkshire author of over 130 books, with his best known being the Constable series which he wrote under the name of Nicholas Rhea... and which of course provide the basis for the much-loved TV series Heartbeat, featuring Yorkshire's North York Moors.

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Entrepreneur of the Year

DUNCAN TURNBULL of Shipton, near York, who founded his company Yorkshire Meats while still a teenager and now has customers from Brighton to Aberdeen.

Highly Commended : Farmer Copley Farm Shops

Highly Commended : Ian Mosey

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Rural Action Yorkshire Award

STEVEN THORPE, a former parks gardener who started a gardening club at his son’s school which now has pupils growing their own school dinners.

Highly Commended : Bedale Tourist Information Centre

Highly Commended : Howden Heritage Weekend

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Food & Drink

DAVID and ROBYN HEAP, from Hubberton, Sowerby Bridge, who have created a Calderdale cheese using a recipe found hidden in their farmhouse.

Highly Commended : Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse

Highly Commended : Rosebud Preserves

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Environmental Project

THE LIMESTONE COUNTRY PROJECT, which has brought hardy cattle back to the uplands of the Yorkshire Dales.

Highly Commended : Hemingborough Hagg Lane Green Conservation Group

Highly Commended : Ralph Hoyle

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Restoration

RICHMOND STATION, another disused station, this time reborn as shops, meeting rooms, bistro restaurant and two cinemas.

Highly Commended : Gayle Mill

Highly Commended : The Old Station Yard, Masham

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Green Business

THE YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, which organises the Great Yorkshire Show each year at Harrogate.

Highly Commended : Gayle Mill Timber

Highly Commended : Growing with Grace

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