A Warwickshire farming family who took out a policy through our branch when it was founded 100 years ago has been rewarded with a special commemorative policy.

NFU Mutual’s first policy - number 501 - was taken out by John James in 1910. Mr James was one of the seven Warwickshire farmers who helped establish NFU Mutual. Under this policy, NFU Mutual has insured three generations of the James family who still live and work at Whitchurch Farm near Stratford-upon-Avon.

“We’re proud of our family’s strong links with NFU Mutual,” said Eric James, whose grandfather took out the first NFU Mutual policy and whose sons, Mark and Will, run the 400 acre farm today.

“NFU Mutual has seen us through good times and hard times – including a serious farm fire in the 1930s – and we know we can rely on the staff at our local Stratford office if we have a problem,” James explained.

To mark their 100 years with the company, NFU Mutual held a special ceremony to present the James family with a specially-bound policy, which included the original policy reproduced on the cover.

“The James family holds a very special place in our history,” said Edward Wheaton, Agent at Stratford-upon-Avon. He continued: “By staying true to our philosophy of providing members with the insurance cover they need, at a fair price and with a first class service, we've grown to become the successful business we are today.

“Farming and the rural community remain at the heart of our business and we place great store on the loyalty of our members that often goes back several generations. Indeed, there are many farming families in the Stratford-upon-Avon area whose connections with NFU Mutual go back three generations.”

Edward Wheaton is pictured presenting a special commemorative policy to Eric James, whose grandfather took out the insurer’s first policy back in 1910.