Haddock is Personality of the Year

31 December 1999



Haddock is Personality of the Year

by FWi staff

MILITANT farmers leader Richard Haddock has been voted Farmers Weekly Farm Personality of the Year by the magazines readers.

Mr Haddock won ahead of Terry Bayliss, secretary of Farmers Ferry; Ann Mallalieu, president of the Countryside Alliance; and Ben Gill, president of the NFU.

Magazine readers said Mr Haddock was their top choice because he was willing to stand up and voice the concerns and fears of ordinary farmers.

The businessman-turned-farmer helped organise many protests during 1999, including a mass demonstration at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Votes from Mr Haddocks supporters west flooded in, all carrying a similar message – hes tenacious, committed and not afraid to speak his mind.

Readers voted Terry Bayliss into second place for re-vitalising the trade in live sheep exports from Britain to continental Europe.

More than 1 million sheep have been exported from Dover since Mr Bayliss helped set up Farmers Ferry 18 months ago.

Lloyd Williams of Rhuddlan, Sir Ddinbych, said Mr Bayliss had “shown the initiative to plan and put into action the mass export of lambs and ewes.”

Baroness Mallalieu came third in the poll and farmers leader Ben Gill came fourth. But a number of surprising personalities also received votes.

French farm minister Jean Glavany was given a tongue-in-cheek nomination for “resurrecting the buy British campaign” after France banned British beef.

And even TV star Mr Blobby received one vote – “he cant do any worse” – although other readers were more poignant in their accolades.

Reader William Wrinch, from Suffolk, nominated his family and farm staff for “their support in the frustrating battle against weather, low prices and politicians.”

Meanwhile, June Graham, from Scotland, argued that every farmer deserved to be recognised after seeing through one of the toughest years on record.