Farmer Andrew St Joseph recognised at Meurig Raymond Awards

Andrew St Joseph, a farmer with land by the Blackwater Estuary, at Tollesbury, was honoured by the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) Meurig Raymond Awards at the NFU Conference, in Birmingham, last Tuesday.

Andrew was announced as the east regional winner at the ceremony, recognising his commitment and dedication to protecting farmland from flooding.

The awards honour grassroots members who go above and beyond in their contribution to the NFU and the farming industry.

Recognised - Andrew St Joseph with his award (Image: Exposure Photography)

Andrew has been recognised for his hard work over the years on the Blackwater Estuary's sea wall.

He has ensured the Environment Agency (EA) adopt the ‘stitch in time’ approach, his coined phrase which means making quick fixes and repairs when needed to sea walls.

He also walks miles of sea walls to monitor them and fix damages as and when they are needed before they become a bigger problem, even trimming back plants that cause the walls to slump.

Andrew is thrilled about the award but says it was a team effort.

He said: “It was very kind of them to recognise me. It has been a team effort, with great effort from the NFU.

“They have provided support when we’ve needed it."

Andrew also established the Essex Coast Organisation (ECO), a group that examines and challenges the withdrawal of sea-wall maintenance polices by the Environment Agency.

He has also pioneered DIY solutions to help protect farmland from flooding.

Andrew continues to work closely with the NFU regional team to build stronger relationships with the Environment Agency.

He has helped develop small works programmes for farmers to carry out repairs to their land with funding from the agency.

Last year, Witham MP Dame Priti Patel visited Tollebury's sea wall and met with representatives from EA and the ECO.

Meeting - Andrew speaking with MP Dame Priti Patel and the environment agency area director Graham Verrier last year (Image: Priti Patel)

Andrew attended the meeting and discussed the partnership between the two organisations.

Adam Scott, a retiring county adviser for the NFU, nominated Andrew for the award.

He said: “Few if any people have spent as long as Andrew on the remote and exposed sea walls around the east coast.

“His own farm is not huge but his energy and enthusiasm are.”