Fw awards 2011: farming champion of the year finalist – james chapman - farmers weekly

JAMES CHAPMAN YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS’ CHAIRMAN AND FARMWORKER AT SNOWFORD LODGE FARM, LONG ITCHINGTON, WARWICKSHIRE Pivotal in the drive to prevent farm accidents is how friends and colleagues

of James Chapman describe him. James, who is the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs chairman, suffered a devastating and life-threatening accident on 21 January 2005. “I was

working with a pto-driven vacuum tanker and trying to make up for lost time after difficulties in getting the machinery started,” James said. In his haste he had not noticed that the

universal joint on the machine was exposed. “The pump didn’t seem to be running properly so I leant over to check it,” he said. “As I did I felt a sudden pull on my jacket. I lifted my arm

to resist it but in a split second my clothes wound around the exposed pto shaft.” The force was so immense that it dragged James on to the shaft and threw him over the tractor. James lay on

the ground screaming for help – his left arm had been severed at the shoulder. It took more than a year to recover mentally, a struggle that James said he was successful in winning only

because of the support from family, friends and the YFC. He has been determined since then to make as much good come from his accident as possible. “I don’t want people to think I’m

preaching. I just want them to learn from my mistakes rather than make their own. I don’t want anybody, their families or their friends to go through this.” Outside his new job at a 400-acre

arable farm in Warwickshire, James now has a hectic itinerary. He is the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ chairman and travels the country to attend events to encourage workers

to take more care. He has appeared on BBC and ITV television and taken part in radio shows. He also works with the Health and Safety Executive to promote a safety diploma at agriculture

colleges. His moving and honest contribution prompted the HSE’s Jackie Jones to praise him as pivotal to the success of its Make The Promise campaign. “What is so impressive and brave is

that he speaks so openly about what happened, the consequences it had on those around him and the toll it took on long-standing relationships. He has really made a difference. James has

never said no to us if we request help.” James also presses a message for the Young Farmers’ Clubs that helped him come to terms with his accident. Both through his position as YFC chairman

and in his own time he raises money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Air Ambulance which came to his aid. “The YFCs have supported me through all of this. It was a

humbling experience to see how Warwickshire YFC rallied around me. “More people should listen to the younger generation. We are going to be the industry in 10-20 years. We need our voices

heard today.” ------------------------- FINDING A 2011 WINNER _Farmers Weekly_ readers and NFU members have been asked to give their views on who should take home the prestigious Farming

Champion award. NFU president Peter Kendall will present it to the person, or persons, who you believe has been the best champion of British farmers in 2011 at the _Farmers Weekly_ awards

night in October. 2011 Farmers Weekly Awards