Smithfield Awards

GORDON HEPBURN, a towering influence at the Guild of Q Butchers for the past 20 years, received a standing ovation as he was presented with a special award for his sterling work.

A founder member, past chairman, and now honoury president of the Guild, Mr Hepburn received an engraved decanter at the annual Smithfield Awards held at Butchers Hall in London last week.

Mr Hepburn, said: "I was very pleased to receive the award - I've always been very proud as the national chairman of the organisation. I've met a lot of meat traders through the years throughout the country - in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Pays de Calais, and Holland where we used to have exchange visits."

Mr Hepburn, 74, runs a shop - Hepburns of Mount Nessing, Essex - which employs 10 people. Established in 1932, Mr Hepburn has been involved with the shop since the age of seven. He said: "I think the great thing for me is to see how well the independents have done. When things were very difficult they still came through. Despite the supermarkets, the good, strong independent retailers are still there."

Speaking on behalf of the Guild, Ross Muir said Mr Hepburn had been a driving force.

"He is held with a great deal of respect and affection within the Guild, which was evident when he received a standing ovation at the awards ceremony."

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