Celebrating 200 years of Pembroke Farmers

ukmedals_farmersblog_headerimage

Fewer groups or associations have a more interesting and long-standing history than the Pembroke Farmers’ Club – in fact it’s the second oldest of it’s kind in the UK – and we were delighted to be asked to help them celebrate their 200 year anniversary at Pembroke Town and County Show earlier this month.

Founded on the 9th August 1817 the Club was formed for “the encouragement and improvement of agriculture”, and held competitions for everything from best ploughman, to greatest number of acres, to best turnips cultivated! The modern day show had a much more diverse schedule and portfolio of exhibitors, but retained it’s key focus of showcasing the very best of local producers.

Medals UK was asked to create two bespoke versions of the Pembroke Farmers’ Club Coin: the first to be given to members to commemorate the Club’s bicentennial anniversary, and the second – a ‘Long Service Award to Agriculture’ – to be presented to individuals for their outstanding contributions to the agricultural landscape of Wales throughout the last 200 years.

The intricate design was artworked by our associate designer and highlighted both the arable and pastoral farming communities. It features a young farmer sowing seed in the foreground, surrounded by livestock and flanked either side by crops from a fully grown harvest. Behind him sits a cultivated field ready for planting; a subtle nod to the Club’s prosperous future, whilst acknowledging and celebrating its impressive past.

The reverse of the commemorative coin featured the Club logo and anniversary dates, and the ‘Long Service Award’ a simple but effective laurel wreath and text.