Natural England

This award, in its second year, celebrates environmental excellence and innovation in farming and recognises farmers who have made the greatest contribution to both conserving England’s special wildlife and landscapes and to helping people have access to our natural environment.

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Our candidates needed to demonstrate:

• First-rate land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation
• A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings
• Integration of the management of landscape, access and wildlife with farm production.

We are pleased to announce that the regional finalists are:

South West

Regional winner: Chris and Richard Gordon, Court Farm, Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire

Court Farm, on Salisbury Plain, has a focus on dairy, with cereals grown to support this, all certified or converting to organic – a major change in direction for the business. The Gordons have melded traditional farming methods with modern techniques to enhance both soil fertility and bio-diversity, with knock on benefits of lowered energy use and carbon production. The organic enterprise sits well with the more sensitive wildlife habitats of the farm including restored wet grassland and chalk grassland. With help from Environmental Stewardship the Gordons are able to go the extra mile with the management and restoration of these threatened habitats and the wildlife they support. Carefully controlled grazing with the dairy herd together with water level management of wet grassland has benefited breeding redshank, (the only breeding pair in Wiltshire) and lapwing. On Windmill Hill, an amazing landscape, popular with the public, the Gordons are reverting several fields to chalk grassland and planning a major scrub management programme.

Regional highly commended: Michael Rogers, Higher Farm, Beeson, Kingsbridge, Devon

Higher Farm is a traditional family owned farm. Originally a mixed arable and dairy farm, the Rogers decided to begin conversion into organic in 1997 and began including vegetables in their rotation. The entire farm finished converting to organic in 2002. Habitats at Higher Farm include a freshwater lake (the ley), a stream, grassland, hedgerows and an old deciduous woodland. A pond has been recently dug and within six months was full of newts. Following a project with the RSPB there are now Cirl Buntings on the farm, over-winter stubble fields are left for winter food; permanent fallow for ground nesting birds; a pollen and nectar field for bees; and some with a wild bird seed mix. Hedgerows have been managed across the holding to provide landscape features as well as nesting sites for Cirl Buntings and other farmland birds. Uncommon arable plants can be found in the arable fields flourishing under the organic status of the farm.

Regional highly commended: Alan and Rosie Beat, The Bridgemill, Bridgerule, near Holsworthy, Devon

This small holding is an inspiring historic site on the upper reaches of the River Tamar. Organic management has been applied here for 20 years, although certification has not been sought. The windmill is listed in the Doomsday survey of 1086 and has been partially restored to working order with a new installed water wheel, enabling sustainable water power to be demonstrated. Visiting schools supported by the Countryside Stewardship Educational Access Scheme are encouraged to reflect the history of the site and to see sustainable and traditional land management such as coppicing, stone walling and hedge laying. Three ponds have been created and careful management has been undertaken to enhance biodiversity. The range of habitats provide an opportunity for both children and adults to study wildlife. A series of bridges built over water courses enables visitor access to the whole site and a dedicated pond dipping area has been provided. A comprehensive farm information pack helps teachers to plan visits to the site and gives many ideas of activities on the day plus follow up activities back at school.

London

Regional winner: Mr Chris Slack – Hounslow Heath Local Nature Reserve

Historically the whole area comprising the holding and the surrounding area would have been heathland and parkland with river floodplain corridors running through it. Chris and his team are restoring this open farmed landscape to parts of Hounslow Heath and maintaining and restoring the flood meadows along the River Crane which have been in existence since 1740 and beyond thus reintroducing the public to the landscape within the area that would have existed prior to urbanisation and the enclosures act in the early 1800’s. The holding comprises parts of a Country Park, Urban Farm, Local Nature Reserves and part of the London Loop Regional Walk all of which have provision of footpaths and bridleways. The Urban farm is an ideal venue for the local population to get hands on with farm animals and experience a variety of breeds of sheep and cattle which are used on the holding to manage grassland and heathland habitats. The grazing on the holding is of particular importance as it introduces the relationship between animals and their role in conservation and the landscape to local children in an urban area, who have little experience of how farms and the rural economy operate.

Regional highly commended: Leslie Williams – Fryent Country Park, Brent

Hay meadows, hedgerows, farm woods and ponds are all managed to improve the biodiversity of the farm at Fryent. Hay meadows are harvested annually during the summer to maintain the species richness of grasses and flowering plants including Great Burnet; and a population of the Meadow Brown butterfly. Where hedgerows are being restored, the opportunity is taken to incorporate old varieties of fruit, particularly of apple. Varieties include Adam’s Permain, Ashmead’s Kernel, Egremont Russet and Rosemary Russet. About fifty young trees of the Pinner Seedling, a variety discovered in Harrow in about 1810, have been planted. These were commissioned from a nursery and grown from graft wood. A traditional orchard has also been restored. Woodlands are managed to provide a range of woodland structures and commercial coppicing has been introduced. Ponds have been restored, the population of the Common Frog has increased from about 40 pairs to about 1,800 pairs; and there have also been increases in the population of the Smooth Newt and Common Toad. The farm is managed organically and is certified under the Soil Association Organic Standards.

Regional highly commended: Bill and Gill Wade, Bottom Barn Farm, Bromley

Bill Wade has been farming at Bottom Barn Farm for 44 years. The site was originally a mixed farm and predominantly arable. In 1999 Bill and Gill decided to focus farming activity on conservation and restoration of the grassland heritage of the farm. Under Countryside Stewardship, the fore-runner to Environmental Stewardship, they have restored arable fields to hay meadows and chalk grassland. Bridleways and footpaths have been opened up, linking local villages across the farm. Research is conducted on the needs of individual species for chalk grassland reversion which is maintained through grazing. Land previously cultivated is now home to a fantastic wildflower meadow, which has contributed to the designation of part of the site as a Site of Importance for nature conservation. The site falls within the Darwin at Downe proposed World Heritage Site. Natural England can trace its roots back to scientists like A.G. Tansley who were inspired by Charles Darwin to study the natural plant communities of the English countryside. Darwin took his own inspiration on this subject from the chalk grasslands of Bottom Barn Farm

South East

Regional winner: Ian Waller, Hampden Bottom Farm, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

Ian Waller is a first generation tenant farmer. Hampden Bottom Farm covers 486 hectares in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is an arable farm that supports a landscape of woodland, hedgerows, chalk grassland, ponds and archaeological features. Ian was instrumental in making Hampden Bottom Farm one of the first, and largest, farms in the South East to be accepted into Natural England’s Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Scheme. Mr. Waller has attracted eight breeding pairs of lapwing to a two hectare plot on his farm. This exceptionally high concentration of lapwings is achieved by leaving the plot fallow, spreading wild bird seed and installing scrapes to attract and concentrate insects - the main food for lapwing chicks. Ian grazes the majority of his 10 hectares of grassland with sheep. He is also conducting a personal trial where he has fenced off a small plot that is cut mechanically. Ian has found that this is a more effective way of managing the sensitive habitat than livestock grazing in this particular situation. The trial plot is now a haven for orchids, which include the rare ‘Lesser Butterfly orchid’.

Regional highly commended: Karl Barton, Goodwood Home Farm, Chichester, West Sussex

Goodwood Home Farm covers some 1100 hectares in the heart of West Sussex. Owned by Lord March, the farm sits within the 4900 hectare Goodwood Estate, which rises from the Chichester coastal Plain to the chalk of the South Downs. Karl Barton melds Environmental Stewardship and other government grants with commercial income to enhance the traditional mixed farming patterns that have preserved the locally typical landscape features. Goodwood Home Farm is completely self sustaining in as much that all the livestock only ever eat food that has been organically grown on the Estate. Half the land is in permanent pasture or grass/clover leys. The rest is in wheat, barley, oats, lupins, lucerne, beans and peas. Some milling wheat is made locally into flour and malting barley is brewed locally into Goodwood lager. The Estate also has its own farm shop which supplies the local community with Goodwood’s own meat (lamb, pork and beef) and dairy products. Traditional breeds of pigs are run extensively in a farm wood to promote regeneration of native hardwood trees.

Regional highly commended: Elizabeth Cole and Holford Pitcher, Church Hill Farm, Seddlescombe, East Sussex

Elizabeth Cole has formed a working partnership with her neighbour, Holford Pitcher, to achieve a shared vision of farming with conservation in mind. Church Hill Farm is a 54 hectare unit in the High Weald of East Sussex. The farm is managed with low intensity sheep and suckler herd enterprises supported by Higher Level Environmental Stewardship payments from Natural England. Arable fields have been replaced by herb rich pastures using local green hay from the Weald. A scrub block has been coppiced to provide a range of habitats for birds and other wildlife. A piece of wetland next to the farm has been purchased and enhanced. Sustainable practices are central to Elizabeth’s approach to farming. Fuel on the farm is saved by combining stock checks with visits to the local farm shop for stores and provisions. Materials are purchased with a view to the secondary uses they can be put to when they are worn out, for example plastic containers are cut down and used as feeders. Old fencing posts and wood from scrub clearance is cut and used in the wood burner. Materials are sourced locally where possible. The pedigree local native breed flock of Romney Marsh sheep are run as a closed flock with breeding ewes and rams sold locally along with finished stock.

East of England

Regional winner: Adel MacNicol and Ross Haddow, Stody Estate Ltd, Melton Constable, Norfolk

The MacNicol family has farmed the 1700 hectare, now mainly arable farm, since 1941. The estate, set in the North Norfolk countryside, includes areas of woodland and open grassland. The River Glaven runs through the estate and provides a perfect habitat for otter, white clawed crayfish and brown trout. Visitors to the farm can be lucky enough to catch glimpses of grey partridge, turtle doves, snipe and yellowhammer from the 20km of permissive bridleways, paths and open access areas that have been developed with support from Natural England’s environmental schemes. The Stody Estate impressed the judges with their active integration of commercial farming with wildlife, landscape and the historic features on the estate. Their commitment in involving the public through provision of footpaths and bridleways and their very successful work with schools was also highlighted. What stands out above all is the innovative way the Estate leads various partnerships, influencing farmers and graziers to achieve wider benefits for the environment particularly in relation to the River Glaven.

Regional highly commended: Jason Gathorne-Hardy, White House Farm, Saxmundham, Suffolk.

Jason Gathorne-Hardy manages White House Farm on Great Glemham Estate. The Estate is a family partnership consisting of six farm holdings, is set in 365ha of the Suffolk river valleys comprising arable, woodland and important historic and farm parkland grassland. Specific recent and ongoing projects at White House Farm include: a wildflower enrichment programme; a woodland thinning and a deadwood retention policy. A low-input, low cost approach is taken to farm management. Each year White House Farm runs open events for a total of 6 weeks. In the spring the farm hosts a 4 week Open Farm Spring Exhibition celebrating food, farming, landscape and the arts. Lamb reared on the farm is marketed as Alde Valley Lamb. The lamb is sold at the local butchers and served at the local Inn. Jason commented on receiving the Future of Farming commendation “It has been nice to take a step back and receive recognition and affirmation for what we are doing. It is useful to be able to share knowledge and experience. The re-localisation of food production and the integration of farming with the arts and cultural heritage are resurgent themes at the moment. To get to the regional finals of the Future of Farming Awards will help to get this message across."

Regional highly commended: Richard Symes, Earlsway Farm, Halesworth, Suffolk

Back in the 1980s Richard Symes ignored government advice from MAFF and did not remove the old hedges on Earlsway Farm. Richard loves and cares for the landscape of the farm and has strived to overcome the poor public image of farmers as destroyers of the countryside by demonstrating a caring approach to the natural environment through his own actions. At the heart of Earlsway Farm lies Kingstall wood –“the most precious habitat.” Around this gem of a wildlife site are predominately arable fields with areas of grassland, ponds, ancient woodlands, hedgerows and a thriving equestrian centre. Richard manages the farm using the best modern science to produce top quality food. His ethos is one of making the farm a delightful place for himself and visitors as well as great home for flora and fauna. Richard collaborates with specialists to develop both intellectual and physical access to the farm. The natural history journalist, Simon Barnes has helped get the farm’s positive message to a wider audience. Richard has also worked with FWAG, RSPB and the Country Trust, bringing children from the inner cities to experience the farm. Richard is particularly proud of his achievements with restoration of the hedged and wooded landscape of Earlsway. Through careful selection of difficult to manage field corners and restoration of old hedges, ponds and grasslands the farm is now brimming with wildlife and the arable operation is more efficient.

East Midlands

Regional Winner: David Hutchinson, Manor Farm, Strixton, Northamptonshire

Manor Farm is run for commodity production, profit led, and is influenced by a desire to protect and enhance the environment. The first shift towards management of the natural environment was 15 years ago when David carried out gravel pit lake re-profiling work on the farm. David and his team have since been employed by the local Wildlife Trust and County Council to carry out similar management on other SSSI sites. David has since developed a range of management options on the farm that demonstrate the integration of management of the natural environment with mainstream commodity production. These include the demonstration of arable options and the introduction of a herd of Highland cattle to graze the grasslands of the SSSI. David took a bold step when he decided to leave hedges bordering the SSSI uncut, with only minimal intervention. The highlight and reward – a large colony of the increasingly rare Tree Sparrow. Elsewhere on the farm David has undertaken an extensive hedge and farm wood restoration programme to enhance the strong Tudor enclosure feel of the Strixton Parish landscape. The farm’s agriculturally redundant stone farm buildings have been turned into a major source of income following their renovation. They now house nine local businesses. David has recently taken part in a DEFRA funded Carbon Baseline Project and has started trials to reduce the carbon footprint of the farm’s crop production.

Regional highly commended: Andrew Sebire, Lower Hurst Farm, Hartington, Derbyshire

The guiding principle of Lower Hurst Farm is sustainable organic farming in a beautiful natural environment. Contented cattle and sheep fed entirely on farm produce provide meat which is matured, butchered, prepared and cooked on the farm. It is a profit-led farm which focuses on farming in harmony with the natural environment. There is a diverse range of habitats on the farm as it straddles the White Peaks and South West peaks. The farm operates a 100% organic rotational crop and grazing system. The use of the fields in this way has created habitats for species – including lapwings. Hedgerow maintenance and restoration, as well as tree-planting and riverside management have complemented the landscape. Rural Enterprise funding has allowed for the conversion of redundant barns into a butchers and meat preparation room, creating jobs for local people.

Regional highly commended: Graeme Matravers, Manor Farm, Long Whatton, Leicestershire.

Manor Farm is a well managed organic farm, which encourages biodiversity by adopting a traditional and natural rotational system for its crops and livestock production. Chemicals and fertilisers are not used as part of its organic obligations and the result is that the farm provides a rich mix of habitats that benefit insects, wildlife and farmland birds. The farm successfully hosts educational visits from schools in the area and has engaged with the Year of Food and Farming Education programme. Graeme has been instrumental in linking the village primary school with the farm and shop by participating in the East Midlands Natural England School Challenge, an initiative designed to help school children understand where their food comes from and to understand the importance of farming with the environment in mind.

West Midlands

Regional winner: Michael, Janette and Jo Terry, Upper Hollowfields Farm, Hanbury, Worcestershire.

Every hectare of Upper Hollowfields is managed sympathetically under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme to benefit wildlife and landscape features. The 102 hectare farm is home to a diverse range of wildlife and archaeological features, with a wildflower meadow sown with seeds from a local SSSI site, a traditional orchard, ancient trees and magnificent lowland meadows. Michael, Janette and Jo bring a diverse range of perspectives to the farm business. Michael trained in agriculture, Janette is a published and broadcast writer and Jo trained in arts and education. The Terrys also actively encourage specialist advice from conservation bodies including the RSPB, Natural England, Butterfly Conservation and Worcestershire County Council’s Historic Environment Countryside Advice Team in formulating the farm’s management plan. The family hold interactive open days for visitors to experience the wildlife and the farm’s historic features through the ‘educational access’ element of their Higher Level Stewardship scheme. These events encourage groups of the public to learn about the environment and have the opportunity to experience the farm in a hands on way.

Regional highly commended: John and Linda Iles, Uncllys Farm, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

John and Linda Illes moved to the Uncllys in 2004. The small holding of 5 Ha comprises a series of small clearings planted around the 1880’s with varieties of fruit trees. A further 30 hectares of traditional orchard, wood pasture and meadows are now managed by the Illes. The farm has just been entered into a Higher Level Scheme agreement following the successful completion of a Countryside Scheme agreement. The nationally rare Nobel Chafer beetle inhabits a cherry orchard within the farm. The orchard and some wood pasture on the farm lie within the Wyre National Nature Reserve. The Illes organise work camps and working parties with the local community and groups from neighbouring towns who want to get involved with the farm. These have included groups as diverse as lawyers from Birmingham who planted a new orchard, to local artists who teamed up with Bewdley Museum for a charcoal drawing workshop on the farm. The Illes also host traditional orchard restoration training courses for land managers and participate in Open Farm Sunday. The formation of the Wyre Landscape Trust by John Illes as a Community Interest Company is a major step towards putting the Illes expanding farm operation at the heart of the community.

Regional highly commended: Caroline Corsie, Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, Worcestershire.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Smite Farm was set up to maximise the yield of farmland biodiversity within a commercial farming environment. Lower Smite farm manager, Caroline Corsie has worked tirelessly to achieve this vision. The rotation is based on winter cropping with Countryside Stewardship Scheme options. There are numerous experimental treatments and insecticides are not used. The farm is ‘assured’, financial records (Farmade) are maintained the ‘Whole Farm Approach’ updated regularly and Caroline is BASIS/FACTS accredited. A yearly farm report documents all activities and provides financial breakdowns. A two-year project has recently been completed by Plantlife International and more partnership research is planned. In 2007 Caroline and her team worked with over 4,000 young people on programmes based around food, farming and biodiversity. All programmes are tailor made to suit National Curriculum or exam syllabi. Secondary schools examine farm stewardship measures in place at Lower Smite Farm. Visits include a farm tour, a mapping exercise and sampling fieldwork to calculate biodiversity upon the farm. Primary schools enjoy the Lower Smite ‘bread day’. Children learn about growing wheat, harvesting corn through to milling and baking rolls.

Yorkshire and Humber

Regional winner: John Harrison and Ruth Russell, Duggleby High Barn Farm, Malton, North Yorkshire

John and Ruth are a father and daughter team managing their farm with wildlife in mind, over wintered stubble (approx 40ha) is left until mid February to maximise benefit to birds like skylark, yellow hammer, tree sparrow - requiring low cover and small seed plants. 20ha is left fallow all summer in CSS, specifically for nesting lapwings and skylarks. In autumn the fallow is given a dressing of farmyard manure from the cattle yards before being sown with winter wheat, this not only helps the wheat crop but ensures that the soil maintains many invertebrates, valuable to lapwings and soil structure. High Barn Farm has many more nesting lapwings than adjoining farms (69 this year) as a result of this rotation.

The working mixed-arable farm has become a countryside classroom for all ages. It is also exceptionally well managed for wildlife. Star species include song thrush, skylark and the charismatic hare which people love to hear or see. John Harrison said: “We are delighted to have won this award, it’s nice to know that our hard work has been recognised. I’m very proud of what we have achieved here. The range of wildlife habitats we have created has encouraged a wide variety of plant and animal species onto the farm. We have used these to educate children and adults about farming and the natural environment”.

Regional highly commended: Martin Coates, Redshaw Farm, Widdale, Hawes, North Yorkshire

Martin is integrating the provision of habitats for particularly sensitive species of upland bird species with livestock production at Redshaw Farm supported by a Higher Level Scheme agreement. Priority habitats on the farm mainly consist of wading bird habitat and the creation of a black grouse breeding site. He is presently creating the black grouse breeding site in conjunction with the black grouse regeneration program. The farm is within a National Park and is managed sympathetically to enhance the overall landscape of the surrounding area. Walls are repaired and kept in good order. Grazing is managed to enhance heather regeneration and work is being done to improve the condition of the hay meadows on the farm. Tree planting with native species is taking place in selected gills, which not only creates habitat for black grouse but also shelter for the sheep during winter on this exposed hillside.

Martin said ‘I like to think of myself as a realistic manager of the countryside. I'm not purely into environmental management schemes from an idealistic point of view, I'm coming at it from the viewpoint of creating a sustainable future for myself and my sons, increasing profitability, as well as incorporating many of the ideals of the high-level stewardship scheme within the management of the farm. To this end we have married up environmental disciplines with good farming practice and increased profitability’.

Regional highly commended: Andrew Green, Church Farm, Flixborough, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire

Farming practices include the use of spring cropping in the rotation as well as use of pheromone insect lures and soil mapping to reduce use of agrochemicals and fertilisers. RSPB bird surveys highlight the range of species present, including target species. Furthermore, access has been greatly extended, with an extensive network of footpaths that have been enhanced for visitor experience and safety. There is permissive open access on the Hillside grassland, permissive access routes on 6m margins around arable fields and educational access. A conference and education centre was established 18 months ago in a converted traditional building, serving the needs of the local and business community.

Andrew Green said ‘The farm sets a new standard because of our whole hearted, full on approach to integrating biodiversity, access and landscape management into a working family business. I firmly believe that every opportunity to promote and improve these attributes has been undertaken within the constraints of our real life family farming situation’.

North East

Regional winner: David Thompson, Broxfield Farm, Alnwick, Northumberland

David manages Broxfield Farm organically, with grass field margins, strips sown with plants that provide wild bird seed and nectar and pollen sources for insects throughout the farm. Ladybirds and other beneficial insects can migrate from the edges of the fields and control pests such as aphids in crops. Such a rich harvest of insect life means that bird numbers and diversity of species are high. The cattle enterprise of 140+ Aberdeen Angus suckler cattle utilise the clover rich leys which build fertility. Farm yard manure from the cattle herd is used to increase fertility of the soil for production of cereal crops.

Visitors to the farm including children from inner city areas interpret the beauty of the farm and surrounding countryside in art activities. The school children and other visitors use a grade 2 listed blacksmiths shop on the farm which has been converted into a classroom. During farm visits groups can choose from a variety of training topics including art and creativity, sensory experiences, ecology, teambuilding and problem solving. All groups also learn about how the farm works and how it produces food. The inspiring landscapes of the farm enhanced by old and newly planted hedges and woodland areas are used to help encourage visitors from the middle of cities to seek out more places where they can enjoy the countryside.

Regional highly commended: John Renner, North Bellshill Farm, Belford, Northumberland

Bellshill Farm’s logo was created to symbolise the link between good animal and cereal welfare and healthy environmental practices. Communication of this message to visitors to Bellshill is assisted by some of the most fantastic views in north Northumberland. Through interpretation of the farms management, the visitor learns how soil types, field elevation and aspect can be used to best advantage by planting different crops for different situations. This approach to farming with the natural environment in mind has led to large fields being split into smaller blocks by beetle banks enabling a fixed rotation of leys for prime lamb production while also providing quality wildlife habitat. With help from Countryside Stewardship and now Environmental Stewardship, John has put a six metre headland strip around every field and bumblebee strips next to the new fencelines creating broad wildlife corridors across the farm. The resulting resurgence of wildlife on the farm can be viewed in comfort thanks to the labours of a group of Alnwick scouts who have built a bird hide used by school groups to watch farm woodland wildlife.

Regional highly commended: Simon Henderson, West Fenton Farm, Belford, Northumberland

The ethos of Simon Henderson’s farm is to utilise each piece of land for more than one purpose. ‘There are resource protection buffer zones that are habitats for wildlife, have permissive access and that are harvested for bio fuel for the farm boiler. Beetle banks and margins provide for bio control of pests and long crop rotations are employed. The number of bird species on the farm has doubled in 15 yrs whilst the agricultural output of the farm has been greatly increased. The farm policy for wildlife enhancement is to improve/ provide habitat for a target species and let the target species colonise naturally. Tree/hedgerow corridors have been planted for Red Squirrels to connect them with new woodlands for a food source rather than providing feeding stations. Farm cropping and tillage methods have been changed to meet the needs of resource protection, both in terms of water and soil protection. Cover crops are now used instead of leaving bare soils and a larger proportion of spring crops are sown to provide winter cover and food for wildlife and to aid weed control within arable crops. Simon is working with the Environment Agency to plan for the effects of climate change and at the same time factoring in the governments CO2 reduction targets of -50% by 2050. For this purpose the farm’s spring water supply is being protected and a carbon neutral storage and distribution network for the water is under development to ensure a supply for livestock, irrigation and habitat protection. New shelterbelts are being protected against shifting wind patterns and small areas of perennial crops are being planted for soil protection purposes which will still provide an income for the farm.

All of these measures are planned with public access in mind and each measure is demonstrated and explained in order to further understanding of the role and importance of land management and farming.

North West

Regional winner: Marshall Waller, Blaze Farm, Wildboarclough, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

The Waller family have maintained a traditional mixed grazed upland farm while most other farms in the area have specialised in sheep or dairy. The farm business works to the strengths of the mixed farm approach. The Waller’s have diversified into a highly successful tourist enterprise. Blaze Farm has been listed in the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s top 50 attractions in the UK. Visitors are drawn to the farm by a network of nature trails that pass through ancient woodland, newly planted upland cloughs, old hay meadows and wildlife ponds. Most trails are easy access but the most challenging trail rewards the intrepid with views from 1200 feet of the breath taking geological feature, Hield Rocks. Milk from the farm’s dairy herd is used to produce Hillbilly icecream, however there is nothing of a rough hillbilly nature in the way the farm is managed. The dairy herd is crossed with dairy shorthorns to produce a lighter animal less prone to poaching pasture and with a good confirmation for beef production to offset the reduction of milk yield per cow from the cross bred animals. The free access policy of the farm ensures thousands of people learn about this and other innovations that integrate the environmental, access and farm production objectives of Blaze Farm.

Regional highly commended: Keith Siddorn, Meadow Bank Farm, Broxton, Cheshire.

The estimated 45,000 drivers per annum who pass through Meadow Bank farm on the A41 trunk road are treated to views of a farm where the natural environment flourishes while the farm business supports Keith and his three full time staff. Conscious that people may look at the high hedges and fields of bird seed mix that support an abundance of wildlife and conclude that the land is being neglected, Keith is determined as many people come to the farm for a variety of reasons. The more people who see how the profitable business side of the farm interconnects with the environmental side the better. A Wi Fi link from Barn Owl nest boxes to an educational building and a mobile trailer designed for the very young or people with mobility difficulties are just a couple of the innovations to make access easy for all. Keith has applied this approach to catering for the farm’s wild inhabitants access needs. Mammal gates are situated at 150 metre intervals along every fence line. The replanting of the majority of the farm’s hedges, removed as part of a drive towards intensive cereal production together with six-metre grass margins in the fields and 13 ponds across the farm have also restored a healthy farmed landscape. Keith has been instrumental in encouraging his neighbours to adopt a similar approach to farming and now a 1000Ha of farm land around Meadow Bank has been restored to a condition where wildlife can thrive and travel freely.