Cumbrian Farmers are celebrated

The August Bank Holiday kicked off in style for the Lely Center Longtown team, as we headed to the fifth Cumbria Farmer Awards (sponsored by David Allen).

The event was held at the Greenhill Hotel near Wigton, where guests mingled outside on a lovely summer evening. Caricaturist Barrie James brought plenty of laughs as he captured guests in his sketches, adding to the relaxed, celebratory atmosphere.

Walking through the crowd, you couldn’t help but feel the community vibe. Everyone greeting each other with neighbourly smiles, reminding all there of the tight-knit farming community we have here in Cumbria.

Why These Awards Matter

The Cumbria Farmer Awards are important. They shine a spotlight on the dedication and innovation of farmers across the county, recognising the challenges they face and the resilience they continue to show.

In a climate of uncertainty and constant change, these awards say loud and clear: our farmers are recognised and appreciated. Everyone in the room that evening was a winner.

Lely Center Longtown & The Farming Innovation Award

Lely Center Longtown was proud to sponsor the Farming Innovation Award. We were delighted to be joined on our table by Richard and John Gibson, who were recognised for their forward-thinking approach and the use of robotics on their farm.

👉 You can read more about their farm and automation journey in our blog post.

Cumbria Farmer 2025 Award Winners

• Special Recognition – Gillian Potts
• Dairy Farmer of the Year – John Swainson & Family
• Young Farmers Club of the Year – Raughton Head YFC
• Livestock Farmer of the Year – The Ladds Family, Benson Hall (Kendal)
• Tenant Farmer of the Year – Alister Watson & Rachel Willan
• Diversification of the Year – Stephen & Lizzie Mawson, Seascale
• Sustainability and Environment Award – Holker Estate Farm
• Agricultural Student / Rural Skills Award – Luke Edmondson
• Farming Innovation Award – Richard & John Gibson, Castleheads Farm
• Agricultural Service Provider of the Year – Westmorland County Agricultural Society
• Farming Champion – Jean Wilson “Queen of the Herdwicks”
• Farmer’s Choice Award – The Farmer Network
• Food Retailer of the Year – Kendal Farmers Market
• Contractor of the Year – TW West Ltd
• Women in Agriculture – Mary Brough
• Family Farming Business of the Year – The Brough Family, Buckabank Farm
• Judges’ Special Award – The Bushby Family & Ian & Gillian Blamire
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Joe & Hazel Relph

Congratulations to the winners

Congratulations to our Lely Center Longtown customers – Swainson, Gibson, and Brough – for their well-deserved recognition.

Farmers across Cumbria continue to show grit, determination, and adaptability in the face of change. At Lely Center Longtown, we are proud to stand alongside them, providing not just technology for today’s challenges, but long-term support to achieve their future goals.

Want to Be Next?

If you’d like to see how Lely solutions can support your farm’s success, contact us today.

📞 01228 792 735
📧 info@lclongtown.co.uk