CLA member wins top landowner award
CLA member Charles Forbes Adam has been awarded the annual Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) for outstanding achievement in the successful land management and development of an agricultural estate in England.
Mr Forbes Adam is owner of the Escrick Park Estate, near York, which boasts substantial diversification projects including offices, commercial lets, holiday lodges, wedding facilities, equestrian cross-country course and a National Nature Reserve.
CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “This is one of the agricultural industry’s most prestigious awards with previous winners including the Duke of Westminster. It is hotly contested and I am delighted for Charles and his team for their range of successful diversification projects and commitment towards improving the rural environment.”
Mr Forbes Adam, who is also Chairman of the CLA’s Yorkshire branch said: “I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this prestigious award. Not only is it recognition of everything we have been working towards for the last 20 years but it is also a testament to the great work being done by the fantastic team we have at Escrick Park.”
During the judges’ visit to Escrick Park, they were particularly impressed by the breadth of diversification and the 8,000-acre estate’s ability to maximise the potential of its rural assets while enhancing the natural environment.
Since 1990, a great deal of new planting has taken place at Escrick Park resulting in more than 18km of new hedges. In addition, 12 ponds have been created or restored, and nearly 90 hectares of wildlife habitat have been created on arable land. Work is currently underway to create the nine-hectare Three Hagges Jubilee Wood – the largest area of new woodland in the district.
A special programme of scrub clearance using rare breed Hebridean sheep, Longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies to graze has helped to restore open heathland on the estate and ensure the future survival of the diverse wildlife.
The 274-hectare Skipwith Common at Escrick Park has National Nature Reserve status, recognising the international importance of its wet and dry heathland.
The Estate has also contributed towards sustainable economic local development through a sensitive £1.4million renovation of redundant farm buildings, resulting in 24 new eco-friendly offices and 14 light industry units. Hollicars – the Estate’s 180-pitch, five star holiday park – further reflects Escrick’s commitment to the environment having won the David Bellamy Gold Award for conservation five years in a row since the park opened in 2005.
