Local homeopath nominated for national award

The work of a local homeopath in support of British agriculture has been recognised with a nomination for a prestigious national award. Christine Lees, the founder of Homeopathy at Wellie Level (HAWL), which operates from the Duchy Farm in Tetbury, has been shortlisted for the Livestock Advisor of the Year category at the Farmers Weekly Awards. This category, which is sponsored by Silotite® – the market leading brand of silage balewrapping film from bpi.agri – hopes to acknowledge those who have made an outstanding contribution to the UK’s livestock farming community. Combining an agricultural degree from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, with qualifications in teaching and homeopathy, Christine set up HAWL in 2001 with the aim of teaching farmers how to use homeopathy effectively to get the best results for their livestock. She explains: “We empower the farmer to make his or her own informed decisions which include when and when not to use homoeopathy.” HAWL exists as a not-for-profit operation with any surplus funds being reinvested back into the business. More than 300 farmers and farm workers from all over Britain have taken the course which has been widely advertised with help from a generous donation by the Prince of Wales. Of these individuals a third have come from conventional rather than organic farms. Each course consists of three days, spread over six weeks so that farmers have the opportunity to go away and practice the techniques. Having completed the course, participants are given a certificate and also have the option of coming back on a yearly basis for additional days, which allows them to build on the skills they have already learnt and to receive the continuing support they need to make homeopathy work for them. While Christine focuses on empowering the farmer by giving them the option to use alternative therapy, she is keen to stress that homeopathy should fit into the bigger picture of farm life. “We stress the need to know how to use homoeopathy properly, then you can fit it into your daily management as another tool to help promote good health”, she says. “It’s important that you’re not trying to take the place of the vet”. Christine is ambitious for the future hoping that HAWL will secure additional financial backing so that it can be established as a charitable organisation, enabling it to offer farmers even more education and ongoing support. Commenting on Christine’s nomination, Louise Aplin, Marketing Manager from award sponsor bpi.agri, said: “As part of our commitment to British agriculture bpi.agri is proud to once again be sponsoring the Livestock Advisor of the year category at the Farmers Weekly Awards. As a business that strives for excellence we are delighted to be involved in recognising this quality in others. “The work of Christine and her fellow finalists has been a crucial element in the success of all their clients’ businesses, and has made a major difference to both British agriculture and to the livelihoods of individual farmers. We wish her the very best of luck.” The results of the Farmers’ Weekly Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 7 October 2010. ENDS IMAGE: Chris Lees 2.jpg CAPTION: One of the best in the business. Local homeopath Christine Lees has been shortlisted for the coveted title of Livestock Advisor of the Year at the Farmers Weekly Awards.

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