How about a party for 1200 people? That's what we have planned this time next week as we get ready for the 2008 Farmers Weekly Awards celebrations on Monday, October 27. This year's gala evening includes more farmer finalists, more sponsors and more guests than ever before in the Great Room, Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. If you're joining us, then you won't be disappointed. Tickets and tables are now all sold out.
Our Awards are now in their fourth year and have certainly taken on a life of their own. It must be the biggest celebration of agriculture the industry has seen in years and we're determined to make it memorable. We have 42 farmers shortlisted for the category prizes from all corners of the UK and our theme this year is No Ordinary People. It sums up the pride we feel for our finalists, their families and the industry. In an uncertian world, these farmers have shown remarkable resiliance and success. They stand out from the crowd.
There's a formal side to the evening where we honour the winners but also a fun side too. The sense of anticipation in the build up to the Awards is very exciting as we try to keep secret the name of the winners. We've got a number of celebrities coming along and the Secretary of State Hilary Benn has promised to try to get there, although he may be late as he travels back from a meeting in Luxembourg. A different approach has been taken with the entertainment and cabaret this year, simply to add more variety and keep everyone on their toes. A live band will keep people dancing until the early hours and boy do those farmers like to move!
The FW team are very busy organising the evening - table plans, menus, production - and worrying about pre and post event coverage. Full details of all the finalists will be available on www.fwi.co,uk early evening next Monday and the winners announced after 11pm. Evidence of the party to end all parties will be available on the site first thing Tuesday (Oct 28) providing we are not too hungover.
If you are attending and taking photographs, please share them with others on www.fwispace.co.uk.
No doubt there will be some stories to tell the morning after so watch this space......