The top award of £80 goes to Michael Dymond from Ilfracombe, who has clocked up more than 56 years as a self-employed agricultural contractor since leaving school at the age of 15.
The next award of £50 goes to Malcom Summerwill from Newton Abbot who has been employed for 42 years by C R Willcocks and Co Ltd, a farm and garden machinery retailer in Heathfield, as an Assistant Parts Manager.
The third award of £30 goes to John Rookes from Crediton who has also worked as a self- employed agricultural contractor for the past 35 years.
In recognition of 30 years continuous service, an award goes to Michael Handford from Exeter who has worked in the agricultural industry for M E &T E Broom since 1984.
Rural contractors are a new category for this year as they from a major part of the agricultural workforce as landowners and agricultural employers slim down their permanent staff. Some serve the same community and area for their whole lives and are given similar recognition by the County Show to those in full-time employment. The presentations will take place on Friday, May 22 alongside the Mole Valley Farmers main arena.
