Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, has congratulated Community Champion John Whitehead for his fifty-five years' work with the East Riding Young Farmers.
Over a pint at the Railway Inn in New Ellerby, John told the local MP and Councillor Samantha Whyte about his life with the young farmers and how it has transformed the lives of young people in Beverley and Holderness.
The Young Farmers gives young people a reason to stay in the areas where they grew up, and the chance to learn about farming as a career in a highly social environment.
John has spent his life making that happen and has seen incredible changes in the industry over the years.
John Whitehead is one of Graham’s Community Champions, all nominated by fellow members of the community for their work to improve the lives of people in dozens of different ways.
Other nominees include Withernsea’s Jayne Nendick of the SHoRes Centre; litter-picker Paul Coe of the Wombles of Beverley; Armed Forces Veterans’ champion Darren England from Withernsea and gardening hero Jacky Stringer of Hornsea.
Graham has greatly enjoyed meeting Community Champions over the past few months and celebrating their work for towns and villages across Beverley and Holderness.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “You’d never believe that John has been involved in the Young Farmers for fifty-five years, and he’s made the Young Farmers in the East Riding an incredibly successful organisation.
“I can’t imagine how many young people’s lives have been improved by John and the Young Farmers.
“John is truly worthy of being one of my Community Champions.”
Community Champion John Whitehead said, "I wasn’t expecting to be nominated as one of Graham’s Community Champions and didn’t even know I had been put forward so it was a big surprise to receive the award.
However, the Young Farmers organisation is run by its members and although I am currently the East Riding County President I am principally a figurehead who simply tries to give advice, help and guidance, and it is the members who really deserve credit for their achievements.
I hope Graham will be able to attend some of our forthcoming events to see more of their activities for himself!"
