Sheep sector stalwart to be honoured by NSA award at major industry event

The unequivocal dedication of highly respected sheep industry stalwart, Charles Sercombe, will be recognised at next month’s Sheep Breeders’ Round Table conference as he is named as the posthumous winner of the National Sheep Association’s (NSA) George Hedley Award for Outstanding Contribution.

Charles Sercombe, a sheep farmer from Leicestershire, who sadly passed away in August, was the unanimous choice for the respected award this year.

Charles carried out many influential and challenging roles across many farming organisations, including NSA for whom he was a Trustee at the time of his untimely passing. Charles also served on the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Steering Group, and the Animal Health & Welfare Board for England, and made valuable contribution to the Defra Animal Health & Welfare Pathway and Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group. Previously Charles also chaired the NFU Livestock Board, and of course, was well known as an internationally respected breeder of Charollais sheep.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “There could be no more deserving recipient of the 2024 NSA George Hedley Award than Charles. It is impossible to measure the positive impact he has had on our industry. He had real vision and was absolutely committed to improving sheep efficiency, best practice and viability. He will be remembered as a progressive and highly ethical agent of change for UK sheep farming.”

NSA was honoured the Sheep Breeders’ Round Table offered to host the presentation of the award, given than Charles chaired the event organising committee until his passing, leading discussion on how the conference focusses on progressive sheep breeding. Charles’ family will be presented with the award, which comes in the form of a special sculpted sheep statuette.

Mr Stocker continues: “Charles made no secret of his belief that Britain could be the best farming nation in the world. He believed we could do it and got involved in activities to achieve it. It is an ambition all involved in the sector can all sign up to and carry this on in Charles’s memory. 

“I look forward to presenting Charles’ wife Helen and their children Victoria, William and Grace with this award, although the occasion will be weighted with sadness that Charles himself did not receive the award when he was still with us. He is greatly missed by us all.”

The Sheep Breeders’ Round Table runs from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th November in Derbyshire. The NSA George Hedley Memorial Award dinner and presentation will be held on the Saturday night.

Notes to editors:-

• NSA has presented the George Hedley Memorial Award annually since 1960. 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. Each person who receives the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award is given 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’.
• The National Sheep Association is an organisation that represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK. It is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry. More at www.nationalsheep.org.uk and www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk. 
• For more information contact Katie James, NSA Communications Manager, on 01684 892661 or katie@nationalsheep.org.uk.