Old Sennockian recognised in New Year Honours

January 14, 2020

John Cannon (OS 1948) has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for services to the British Cobnut Industry.

John was in School House and left Sevenoaks in 1948. After farming in Tasmania, he returned to Kent, working near West Peckham before moving to Roughway Farm, which his family still manage, in the 1960s.

He set up the Kentish Cobnuts Association in 1990 to raise the profile of the industry when it was being threatened by proposed EU regulations that wold ban the sale of fresh nuts. John campaigned against this legislation and, with the help of the National Farmers Union, was able to successfully protect the industry.

Cobnuts are a cultivated variety of hazelnut which have a long association with Kent and are a popular local seasonal food.

John has offered his knowledge and support to growers across the country and, at 88, John is still actively involved with cobnuts as President of the Kentish Cobnuts Association.

Congratulations to John on this fantastic achievement.