Paul Kelly named Turkey Man of the Year

Paul Kelly, managing director of Kelly Turkey Farms in Essex, has been named Turkey Man of the Year by his colleagues in the industry.

He was presented with the Rupert Chalmers-Watson trophy, an honour created in 1979 but not awarded for the last six years, at the recent British Turkey Awards in London.

British Poultry Council executive officer Jeremy Blackburn said: “The criterion for the award is that it should go to those who have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to the turkey industry over a significant period.”

Mr Kelly said: “I remember the thrill my father felt when he received this award 15 years ago. I feel just as honoured and even more determined to carry on the traditions he started and our contribution to the British turkey industry.”

Rupert Chalmers-Watson was a founder member of the then British Turkey Federation in 1951 and a pioneer of the British turkey industry, alongside names such as Bernard Matthews, Raymond Twiddle and Ron How.