PEMBROKE Farmers Club has named Harold James, of Stackpole, as this year's winner of their shield 'For services to agriculture'.

This is an award given annually to a local figure who, in the opinion of club officials, has made an outstanding contribution to the betterment of farming locally.

Harold, and his wife, Joyce, began farming with 25 cows in 1955 and, over the next 25 years, saw their acreage increase to 300 and the dairy herd to 200.

In 1980, they accepted a chance to farm a further 1,000 acres, being part of the Stackpole estate, and a few years later were joined by their two sons in the growing family enterprise.

By 1997, when the dairy units were handling 700 cows, together with additional herd replacements and 10 persons being employed, Harold and Joyce chose to step aside and see the younger generation build upon the platforms that they had provided.

Along the way, Harold has served South Wales as its member on the Milk Marketing Board; the Trawscoed Experminental Husbandry Farm as a member of its advisory panel; CCF (Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers) as a director and chairman; Pembroke Rotary Club as a member and president; the local magistrates court as a Justice of the Peace; Dyfed County as High Sheriff; and Narberth Grassland Society as a founder member and later chairman; oh, and most importantly, Llawhaden Young Farmers Club as a member and past chairman.

Over recent years, Harold has taken up golf and has become a director and past seniors' captain of the South Pemnbrokeshire Golf Club.