New chairman of farmers' union is named

The new chairman of the National Farmers' Union in Shropshire has been named as an Oswestry livestock and arable farmer.

Malcolm Roberts has been vice-chairman for two years and was elected unopposed at the country's annual general meeting.

He takes over from Adrian Joynt, of Walford.

Mr Roberts said: "It gives me great honour to serve as Shropshire chairman for the next two years and I very much enjoyed my time as Adrian's vice-chairman.

"My intention now is to support all farming issues going forward from the county to the region and on to headquarters.

"I hope I can continue the hard work done by Adrian.

"I feel we need to expand and I hope we can get the younger generation involved.

"We also need to get back to our grass roots members and get their opinions for the board chairman to take forward nationally."

Mr Roberts praised Mr Joynt for leading the NFU during the organisation's centenary year nationally and at a county level.

Mr Joynt said he was sure he was leaving the county in capable hands and wanted to thank the membership, his wife and family and everyone at Walford and North Shropshire College for allowing him to have time to work on union business.

He said he also wanted to thank county delegates, regional board chairmen, group secretaries and staff at the regional office in Telford and everyone who helped out with the centenary celebrations.