Three Lanarkshire rural trainees have been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s much-anticipated Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS).
Stephanie Wharrie, 30, Charlotte Martin, 49, and Craig Farmer, 24, will attend the prestigious gala dinner and award ceremony on Thursday, March 3, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro, with the farmer and stand-up comedian Jim Smith hosting.
The finalists for ALBAS 2022 were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, chaired by Keith Paterson of Forestry and Land Scotland.
Stephanie Wharrie from Overtown in Wishaw has been doing an Equido Level Three at Ross Dhu Equestrian Limited, near Larkhall.
She said: “In my first few years, I found it difficult to make my way and find what I was looking for. After finding Ross Dhu however, I developed the confidence to push myself and develop new skills.”
Categories at the awards cover agriculture, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, and trees and timber.
Charlotte Martin from Lanark, who completed an HND in Countryside Management at SRUC Oatridge, said: "After leaving my career as a shepherd and farmhand due to injury, I applied for a countryside management course at SRUC Oatridge.
"That was just the start of a great relationship with the lecturers who have encouraged and supported me to find my feet in conservation while maintaining my interest in farming.”
Craig Farmer from East Kilbride completed an Extended Diploma in Land-based Technology at Bryson Tractors Ltd through SRUC Oatridge.
He said: “I enjoy the challenge of diagnosing faults on tractors and appreciate the variety of tasks I have within a single day. It’s really rewarding to fix problems and help the customer to return to work as quickly as possible”.
Tickets for the evening are available from Lantra Scotland by calling 01738 310164 or emailing scotland@lantra.co.uk.
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