CRT scoops prestigious design award

 

 

The Countryside Restoration Trust (CRT) has just received a prestigious design award for RURAL CONSERVATION.

On Wednesday 7th December in a packed hall at the University for the Creative Arts at Farnham, Surrey, CRT Chairman Robin Page was proud to collect the Special Award for Rural Conservation given as part of the Waverley Design Awards by Waverley District Council. Robin Page collected the trophy, given for the CRT’s impressive new dairy at its Pierrepont Farm at Frensham in Surrey. He was accompanied by John Carver of Rural Associates who project managed the scheme, and by Paul Adshead of Farmplus who constructed the timber building.

After receiving the prized glass brick Robin Page said: “It is tremendous that the new dairy has been recognised in this way. It is a fantastic building. Not only does it confirm the CRT’s commitment to dairy farming but it is a commitment to cow-friendly, farmer-friendly and wildlife-friendly farming. The building has been constructed to blend into its rural setting and we hope in due course to attract swifts into the attractive clock tower.

Investing 900,000 into dairy farming at this time is a financial and farming risk and we believe that other, larger, wealthier charities should have led the way. However, none of those who could or should have set the example have shown any interest and so the CRT has again decided to try and lead the way.

Jo Baker was very generous in gifting Pierrepont and its Jersey cows to the CRT. We are determined not to let her, or the cows, down”.

The CRT’s Office Director, Martin Carter, also attended the ceremony and said: “We are obviously very proud of the new dairy, and in winning this award it is my hope that it will give rise to our achievements being more widely recognised.”

 

The Countryside Restoration Trust is a farming and conservation charity which aims to protect and restore Britain’s countryside with wildlife-friendly and commercially- viable agriculture. The Trust is committed to promoting the importance of a living and working countryside through education, demonstration and community involvement. The Trust is establishing a network of demonstration farms across Britain which, using sensitive farming methods, will show how to protect wildlife, produce quality, seasonal food and preserve our countryside for future generations.