Regional role for stalwart of farming

May 2 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

A CHESHIRE farmer is the new regional board chairman of the National Farmers Union.

Denis Parton, of Boot House Farm, Tarporley, succeeds Alistair Mackintosh, of Ravenglass in Cumbria, who has been elected NFU National Livestock Board chairman.

Denis, 64, is a well known and respected member of the Cheshire farming community. A former county chairman in 1995, he was elected Cheshire delegate to NFU council in 1996 and has continued in that role to the present day.

Alongside his NFU work, Denis has been a passionate member of Round Table, a founder member of Tarporley Rotary Club and is a governor at Reaseheath College.

A tenant dairy farmer and breeder of pedigree Holsteins all his life, Denis was forced to downsize dramatically after being told he had prostate cancer three years ago.

From having 170 acres with 180 milking cows and 120 youngstock, Denis retains the same acreage but keeps only 30 young stock and grows cereals, maize and grass which he sells on.

Denis’ main aim is to make sure young farmers in Cheshire have the same opportunities he had.

And before he calls time on his NFU career, he is also keen to help the union find ways to support its new generation of office holders.

He said: “There is a wealth of expertise and talent among the Cheshire farming community.

“I want to encourage those forward-thinking farmers to take a more active role in the running of their own organisation and to help shape not just the future of the NFU but the future of farming in this county.

“A successful and effective NFU going forward will be crucial in helping to sustain a proud Cheshire farming heritage.”

As part of his new role, Denis hopes to forge closer links with the North West Development Agency and other key stakeholders.