The contribution of Guild member and Senior Fellow, Eddie Gillanders, to agriculture in the North-east of Scotland was recognised at the recent Turriff Show in Aberdeenshire with the presentation of the North-east region of NFU Scotland’s annual Unsung Hero award.
The presentation of an engraved crystal decanter and bottle of malt whisky was made by national president, Nigel Miller, at a reception on the NFUS stand.
“Eddie is a worthy recipient of this award for his professionalism and commitment to the industry here in the North-east and throughout Scotland,” said Mr Miller.
The presentation came as a total surprise to Eddie (and his wife Marion) who had been kept in the dark about the award.
“I was busy doing my job as a reporter writing down Nigel’s speech and trying to puzzle out who he was talking about,” said Eddie. “I was completely taken aback when it was my name he announced. It is a singular honour which I very much appreciate, although I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it.”
Eddie, who lives at Banchory, near Aberdeen, has worked in agricultural journalism, PR and marketing for more than 50 years and reported his first NFUS meeting in 1965. He retired as marketing and communications manager of farmers’ co-op ANM Group Ltd in 2003 and in his retirement with his wife, Marion, produces the bi-monthly magazine, Farm North East.
He continues to contribute to the national farming press and has written a weekly column on farming for five local papers for more than 25 years. He is a former recipient of the Guild’s Netherthorpe Award as agricultural communicator of the year.
