A farmer’s wife who took on the farm after her husband fell ill has been recognised in the Royal Bath & West Show’s Farm Woman of the Year Award.

Lesley Bowes, who cares for her husband as well as running the farm at Chewton Keynsham, Somerset, also manages to find the time for considerable community work, including looking after village green, churchyard and war memorial. “All of the nominated entrants were extremely hard working and inspirational women,” said judge Mary Mead. “They are absolute ambassadors for farming and the glue that holds communities together, so choosing a winner was extremely hard.”

However, the fact that Mrs Bowes was nominated by no less than 17 different people was an indication of the high esteem in which she was held, said joint judge Lady Fellowes. “Lesley is just an extraordinary woman,” she explained. “I was really moved: She is kind, generous, caring and selfless in the community. She and her husband started the farm from scratch and since his stroke she has taken on the farm work and personal care. She was described as the heart of the village - I just don’t know how she finds the time.”

Launched last year, the Farm Woman of the Year Award sets out to recognise the often unsung heroines of the farming world. “We were looking for a woman who has made a difference on the farm and in the community where she works,” said fellow judge Mary James. “In the past farm women have often been taken for granted, but they are really the backbone of the industry and deserve recognition for their work.”

The three judges are also extraordinary women in their own right. Mrs James is a trustee of Farmlink, head of communications at the Royal Bath & West Society, and semi-retired dairy farmer’s wife. Mrs Mead runs the family dairy farm at Yeo Valley Organic’s Holt Farm, Blagdon, is very involved with the British Friesian Breeders Club, and recently won the RABDF’s Princess Royal Award for services to the industry. And Lady Fellowes, president of the Royal Bath & West Society, is story editor for Downton Abbey and undertakes a lot of charity work for the Stroke Association.

Also shortlisted for the award were Gillian Hole from Wareham, Dorset, and Christine Dymond from Barnstable, Devon. Each won VIP tickets to Ladies Day at the Royal Bath & West Show, with the winner also receiving a crystal rose bowl and a dinner for two at Ston Easton Hotel.