NSA George Hedley Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution

NSA has presented the George Hedley Memorial Award annually since 1960 to recognise outstanding individual contributions to the UK sheep sector. It is given to honour the memory of George Hedley, a highly respected farmer from the Scottish borders who was involved with the NSA (then the National Sheep Breeders Association) for many years. It was while he was NSBA Chairman, travelling to a Council meeting in London on 26th January 1960, that he was tragically killed in a car accident.

Selection criteria. NSA annually considers nominations from within and outside the NSA network for the award. Nominations are written citations of around 200 words describing an individual’s long-standing involvement in or association with the UK sheep sector and their significant impact to drive the industry forward and/or raise its profile. The award is typically seen as a lifetime achievement-type honour to a highly esteemed person within sheep farming who has made a sustained or momentous contribution. The list includes but is not limited to influencers involved in sheep-focused research/development, provision of out-of-the-ordinary services, industry promotion/profile raising, charity work, training/education or facilitation of best practice.

Nomination process. Between 1st July and 30th September each year, individual NSA members, NSA regional / ram sale / event committees, major agricultural organisations, farming unions and NSA-affiliated sheep breed societies are invited to make nominations as a 200-word written citation. Nominations from individual NSA members must state a proposer and seconder, but this is not required for nominations from a committee or other group. Please email your written citation to enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk. Submissions outside the nomination window will not be accepted.

The winner. Nomations are considered via a shortlisting and voting process involving the NSA Trustees and NSA Vice Presidents. The winner is annouced each December and receives an Honorary Life Membership of NSA. A physical award - a specially sculptured statuette of a South Country Cheviot sheep mounted on a plinth carrying the name of the recipient and the words ‘For outstanding service to the sheep industry’ - is presented at an NSA or other appropraite industry event in the following calendar year.

Fiona Lovatt
Fiona Lovatt
2023
Iain Duncan Millar
Iain Duncan Millar
2022
Helen Roberts
Helen Roberts
2021
Rachel Lumley (posthumous)
Rachel Lumley (posthumous)
2020
John Geldard
John Geldard
2019
Lesley Stubbings
Lesley Stubbings
2018
Samuel Wharry (posthumous)
Samuel Wharry (posthumous)
2017
Chris Lloyd
Chris Lloyd
2016
Julie Sedgewick
Julie Sedgewick
2015
David Croston
David Croston
2014
Dr John Vipond & Margaret Dalton
Dr John Vipond & Margaret Dalton
2013
HRH the Prince of Wales
HRH the Prince of Wales
2012
Peter Morris
Peter Morris
2011
Lord Plumb
Lord Plumb
2010
David Jones
David Jones
2009
Tony Cave-Penney & John Brigg
Tony Cave-Penney & John Brigg
2008
David Darke
David Darke
2007
Andrew Humphries
Andrew Humphries
2006
Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis
2005
D. Smith
D. Smith
2004
Jane Smith
Jane Smith
2003
Dr J. Barley
Dr J. Barley
2002
David Raine
David Raine
2001
Captain N. Archdale
Captain N. Archdale
2000
Keith McDougall
Keith McDougall
1999
Dr Geoff Simm
Dr Geoff Simm
1998
M. Dawson & Philip Bolam
M. Dawson & Philip Bolam
1997
Dr A. Russell
Dr A. Russell
1996
Dr A. Winter
Dr A. Winter
1995
J. Johnston
J. Johnston
1994
J. Gittins
J. Gittins
1993
J.F. Brown
J.F. Brown
1992
T.D.C. Dun
T.D.C. Dun
1991
Dr J. Robinson
Dr J. Robinson
1990
I. Allnson
I. Allnson
1989
John Thorley
John Thorley
1988
V. Pugh
V. Pugh
1987
J. Thompson
J. Thompson
1986
J. Cameron
J. Cameron
1985
J.S. Fawcett
J.S. Fawcett
1984
H.G. Hughes
H.G. Hughes
1983
T. Boundy
T. Boundy
1982
J.L. Read
J.L. Read
1981
Dr J. Yuill-Walker
Dr J. Yuill-Walker
1980
R.D. Ker
R.D. Ker
1979
W. Elliot
W. Elliot
1978
H.J. Ridley
H.J. Ridley
1977
J.W. Raine
J.W. Raine
1976
D.S.A. McDougall
D.S.A. McDougall
1975
G.L. Williams
G.L. Williams
1974
Dr J.M.M. Cunningham
Dr J.M.M. Cunningham
1973
P. Stewart Tory
P. Stewart Tory
1972
Prof C.R.W. Spedding
Prof C.R.W. Spedding
1971
C.J. Chilman
C.J. Chilman
1970
J. Drinkall
J. Drinkall
1969
Dr A. Fraser
Dr A. Fraser
1968
W.T. Rowlands
W.T. Rowlands
1967
H.B. Parry
H.B. Parry
1966
Dr W. Downing
Dr W. Downing
1965
Dr J.T. Stamp
Dr J.T. Stamp
1964
O. Colburn
O. Colburn
1963
A.R. Wannop
A.R. Wannop
1962
Dr R.F. Montgomerie
Dr R.F. Montgomerie
1961