The eventual winners of the inaugural National Pig Awards will be exceptional individuals as the competition is looking very strong!
There have been in excess of 50 entries across the board, and the first phase of judging has already taken place, with the judges meeting for the first time on July 28. Finalists, all of whom receive two free tickets to the gala dinner on Tuesday, November 4, at London’s Royal Garden Hotel, will be announced in our September issue, and the winners announced on the night.
Anyone wanting to enter, but who missed the deadline, can still enter three categories: Trainee of the Year; Pedigree Breeder of the Year; and the Information Technology Award. These are judged separately, and late entrants can be considered if received before August 6. Anyone planning to enter should advise Pig World’s Alex Maskell as soon as possible (alex@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk).
The evening itself is set to be a great occasion. The organisers are delighted to announce the celebrity speaker will be retired England rugby player Martin Bayfield (pictured). At 6’10”, the ex-policeman is one of the tallest players in rugby history.
He used this to his advantage as one of England’s most powerful forwards, packing down next to a certain Martin Johnson in the 1990s. He enjoyed a successful international career on the field, winning 31 England caps and two Grand Slams. He was also selected to represent the British Lions in New Zealand.
Martin is now a highly prominent broadcaster, presenting for BT Sport and ITV’s rugby coverage, as well as being a regular presenter on Crimewatch.
His height has proved to be an asset off the field as well as on it ,as it led to him being cast in the Harry Potter films as Rubeus Hagrid’s body double (for anyone not familiar with the Harry Potter stories Hagrid is the half-giant/half-wizard played by Robbie Coltrane).
Tickets and tables for the evening are now available and interested parties should contact Simon Lewis (simon@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk).Â