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Newsquest Cumbria organised the sold-out ceremony alongside Cumbrian accountancy firm David Allen

A written message from King Charles celebrating the fortitude of Cumbria's farming community was delivered at last Friday's sixth annual Cumbria Farmer Awards, held at Carlisle Racecourse.

Maureen Hodges, farming and rural affairs editor at Newsquest, read the King's letter aloud to the sell-out gathering of 260 guests.

The occasion marked a quarter of a century since the devastating foot-and-mouth crisis, which saw nearly 900 confirmed cases across the county and the culling of more than a third of Cumbria's grazing livestock.

"On many visits to Cumbria since those dark days, I have been touched by the resilience and optimism of the Cumbrian farming community as they rebuilt their lives, flocks and herds," the King wrote.

He expressed that, though unable to attend in person, he held in his heart everyone whose lives were so tragically affected by the outbreak.

The evening culminated with the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by David Allen, going to Will Cockbain, a Lakes Swaledale sheep farmer recognised for championing grassroots farming interests, sustainable rural planning, and affordable housing for young people in the countryside. "I was both honoured and humble to receive this, but honestly I had no idea," Mr Cockbain said, describing the accolade as a "total surprise."

Livestock farming veteran John Hall, 83, widely considered among the most distinguished figures in British fatstock, received the Special Recognition Award.

A posthumous honour, the Special Recognition Award to Agriculture, Charity and Community, was bestowed upon Nick Utting MBE, who died in July 2025 aged 76.

His wife Margaret and daughter Louise accepted the award in his memory, recognising his enduring contribution to Cumbrian farming and rural life.

Newsquest Cumbria organised the sold-out ceremony alongside Cumbrian accountancy firm David Allen, which has been embedded in the county's farming and rural community for 29 years.

A live auction and raffle conducted by Cumbrian farmer and livestock mart manager John Wharton generated £11,234 for three charities: the Farming Community Network, Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, and R.A.B.I.

"It was a cracking night spent among true Cumbria royalty at a sell-out sixth Cumbria Farming Awards," Mr Wharton said.

Adam Day, managing director of the Farmer Network, who hosted proceedings, reflected on the breadth of the audience. "I looked around the room, and saw so many farming families, their advisers and suppliers, and yet again saw how crucial our industry is to Cumbria in so many ways," he said.

The ceremony also doubled as a celebration of 25 years of Newsquest Cumbria's Farmer brand, with a specially commissioned video charting a quarter century of agriculture in the county screened for guests.

Among the other category winners on the night, Winter Tarn Farm took the Tenant Farmer prize, while Jane Eden and Chris Evans of Askerton Castle Estate were honoured for Sustainability and Environment.

Jennie Allison won the Women in Agriculture award, Drigg YFC claimed the Young Farmers Club category, and Penrith & District Farmers Mart was named Agricultural Service Provider.

Bryan Fell of Chapel Farm in Borrowdale received the Farming Innovation award, and the Farming Family Business prize went to T. Graham of Anguswell Farm, Kirklinton.

Robbie Tuer, a prominent voice for young farmers through Cumbria Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, collected the Farmers' Choice Award.