Tributes as farmer and egg pioneer dies aged 95

John Aled Griffiths (centre) ran a poultry business with his family until the 1990s

Tributes have been paid to a Shropshire poultry farmer who has died aged 95.

John Aled Griffiths OBE was a renowned figure during a long career in the poultry industry, during which he built a major business from a base at Oaklands Farm in the county.

The company went on to become one of the largest egg producers in the UK, packing over one billion each year.

An advocate for the education of young farmers, Mr Griffiths went on to be both an honorary fellow and a governor of Harper Adams University.

Born in North Wales, Mr Griffiths is said to have reared his first chicks by his 10th birthday.

He went on to play a leading role in the British Poultry industry and received an OBE for his services to the field in 1993.

Harper Adams University vice-chancellor Prof Ken Sloan, said: "It is almost impossible to find words which are adequate to capture the contribution that Aled made to the poultry industry and the wider agricultural community.

"The numerous awards and honours he received over many years confirms the respect in which he was held and the gratitude that we all have for knowing him and working with him.

"He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him and I am grateful for his contribution to and support for Harper Adams."

Mr Griffiths' colleagues said he keenly understood the value of education and served as chairman of the Poultry Husbandry Experimental Unit at the then Harper Adams Agricultural College between 1983 and 1992.

In 2022 received the Egg Poultry Industry Conference Lifetime Achievement Award - and he was among the inaugural inductees into its Hall of Fame when it was introduced in 2023.