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Wyke Farms Contributes to Scholarship Fund to Encourage New Dairy Industry Talent

2009 West Country Dairy Award Winners Announced

Somerset – November 16^th, 2009 – The West Country’s 2009 ‘Scholar of the Year’ has been announced as Matthew Humphry, from Isle Abbotts.   Four other finalists – including Colin Tuer, winner of the ‘Wyke Award’ – were selected based on their specialised knowledge and practical experience, and will receive cash payments to help them start careers in the Dairy Industry. The finalists were selected from 21 applicants in the four counties.

This is the sixth year in a row that Wyke Farms has contributed to the Dairy Crest/NFU Scholarship Fund responsible for The West Country Dairy Awards.  The 2009 ‘Wyke Award’, a £1,000 cash prize, was awarded to Colin Tuer, of Creech Heathfield, who is currently studying for a BSc Hons degree in Agriculture (Farm Management) at Newcastle University.

“It’s important to not only promote but help foster the kind of talent that we see each and every year with the West Country Dairy Awards,” said Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, Wyke Farms. “We’re delighted to present the 2009 ‘Wyke Award’ to Colin Tuer and look forward to following his future success in the Dairy Industry.”

Previously, Colin received a merit pass for a National Diploma in Agriculture at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.  While studying at Hartpury, he also gained experience as a relief milker, and before starting at his degree course, worked on a 1,700-cow farm in New Zealand as well as other dairy farms in Australia and Canada.

The scholarship fund was set up in 1925 by United Dairies, the forerunner of Unigate – now Dairy Crest.  Wyke Farms and ABN Agri also add to the fund to encourage youngsters in the dairy industry so that the UK can have the efficient and competitive dairy sector that it deserves.

An executive committee manages the Trust, with three Trustees and an advisory committee. It is run jointly with the NFU and awards grants to children of farmers and farm employees who are over 16 years old, living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and studying a dairy related topic.  Applicants are assessed by interview and finalists are selected to be considered for the top awards.

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