Huttonian, being in the Big Smoke, missed last weeks '
Berwickshire' -strangely it was not available at the newsagents outside
Palmers Green Station although you get other local papers like the Irish Times and Le
Monde. When I saw the headline as below my heart
leaped like a middle aged Ram-recognition for Big Jim Conundrum who farms in them there parts! At last. But not he-another farmer has scooped this award. Hutton Think Tank is working up a similar scheme for local tillers of the soil-the Hutton, Paxton and
Fishwick Green Award for Farmers with Vision. All under wraps at the moment but a leak suggests that it will be for the landowner who builds the least houses on good agricultural land by the end of the current local plan. Anything under ten will qualify for a special bonus and a
Jeroboam of Blackadder Treble Malt. More of that anon, as they say. In the meanwhile savour the triumph of Farmer E. It would be good if our lot could follow suite-whatever happened to Farmer C's imaginative ideas for nature reserves, equestrian centres, paddle steamers woodland walks which so enthralled the former Community Council of blessed memory?Conservation award for
Coldingham farm
A
BERWICKSHIRE farming couple have won a major accolade for their achievements in conservation.
Emma and Peter Edmundson of Press Mains Farm, near Coldingham, have won a national compeititon run by NFU Scotland.The farming and conservation award was presented to the couple at a special ceremony last week at Dunblane Hydro Hotel.They were given a £500 cheque and a plaque for their "superb conservation".The Edmundson's 493 hectare beef and arable farm has managed wildlife sites which include a badger set, red squirrel feeding station, a buzzard's nest, otter habitat and many other bird nests.Live pictures of the sites are beamed into the four holiday cottages on the farm which opened in 2003.Fully booked for this summer, the cottages are becoming very popular with wildlife watchers because of the abundance of animals and birds encouraged by the Edmundsons."Farming sometimes gets a very bad press and we are very keen to show that intensive agriculture and wildlife can go together," said Mr Edmundson.The farm is part of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and Wild Scotland and the Edmondsons are members of the environmental organisations LEAF and FWAG.They beat off five other finalists from all over Scotland to win the award which is sponsored by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland (RSPB Scotland)."It is a great honour to accept this award," said Mr Edmondson. "We enjoy watching wildlife and obtain a great satisfaction from knowing that our farming practices are benefiting wildlife."We have tried to take a practical approach to agri-environment schemes to benefit the farm and its farming system and to enhance habitats."Our aim is to leave the land in better condition than that in which we found it and also to show to our visitors and to the wider public just how wildlife and modern or commercial farming can co-exist."RSPB Scotland Director Stuart Housden said: "Agriculture is the main force that shapes Scotland's wildlife and habitats and farming that is done in sympathy with the needs of birds and biodiversity is essential if we are to protect and enhance the countryside."The winners have shown that they are willing to take that extra step by making big efforts to integrate conservation into their overall agricultural activities."As well as running successful working farms they have managed to provide a haven for a rich variety of wildlife - including priority species - and they deserve great praise for their efforts. Well done to both of them."
