Shropshire Star

Year of celebrations as Wynnstay celebrates 100th birthday

A farming group which began in a Mid Wales village and grew all over the UK is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Published
Wynnstay Group chief executive Ken Greetham

The Wynnstay Group was founded in Llansantffraid, near Oswestry by farmer members, and has now grown to cover areas in Scotland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, the Midlands and South West Wales.

The agriculture business is marking the milestone by promising 2018 will be a year of celebrations for the company and its customers.

Chief executive Ken Greetham said: "Having been established as a farmer cooperative on the January 17, 1918, we’re extremely proud that a century on, the business remains true to its roots and farmer focused.

“The firm foundations established in Llansantffraid by the founding farmer members, has enabled Wynnstay to grow into a national business that now spans from Scotland through to Lancashire and Yorkshire, into the Midlands, Wales, and down as far as the South West coast."

Times have changed at the business to adapt to farming changes over the past 100 years.

Mr Greetham explained a host of events would take place in 2018 to celebrate the milestone.

He added: "From a post-war Britain, through the agricultural policy changes in the 1970s, to the focus on technology that we are now seeing in the 21st century, we’ve always observed the needs of farmers.

“As it’s such a big milestone for the business, we’ll be celebrating in a variety of ways with staff and customers across all Wynnstay divisions.

“Celebrations will include staff charity challenges, local fundraisers and the production of a limited edition centenary grassland mix. We’re also excited to announce the launch of the Wynnstay Innovation and Excellence Awards."

Open to all farmers in the UK, the awards will celebrate success and innovation across all sectors of the UK farming industry, from arable through to dairy, beef, sheep and poultry.

Mr Greetham added: “We’re part of an exciting and forward-thinking industry, and in our daily work we’ve come across some outstanding farm enterprises.

"The awards offer the perfect opportunity for Wynnstay to recognise and celebrate these business with the wider farming industry."