Natural England

Business leaders have had the chance to get an inside view of some of the North East’s rural enterprises - in a showcase of the contribution made by the farmed environment to the regional economy.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the region’s development agency One NorthEast, and Jonathan Blackie, Regional Director of the Government Office for the North East found out more about the wide range of benefits that farmers are bringing to the North East.

Natural England hosted the tour of farms in Co Durham to show how the sector is delivering important business and environmental benefits to the North East economy.

First stop was Daddry Shield in Weardale, where Natural England has helped land managers to protect the beautiful landscape, safeguard historic monuments and create better public access to the area. The stunning landscape of the North East is one of the major attractions for visitors to the Region. One NorthEast funds the ‘Know Your North Pennines’ initiative which is based in the area, providing training for people involved in the tourist industry in the North Pennines.

The next stop was at Broom House Farm near Durham where Mr Clarke and Mr Blackie heard about the investment and work that is being done by farmers Mark and Jane Gray to generate new business and tourism in the area.

For the last eight years, the farm has been in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), which is run by Natural England, which has paid for the restoration of hay meadows, hedgerows, ponds and traditional dry-stone walls. The farm is fully organic and has recently expanded its coffee shop and opened a woodland adventure trail and play area. As part of the CSS funding, Mark and Jane have been able to welcome more families and children to the farm to learn about food and farming.

Natural England Regional Director, Martyn Howat, said: “The Region’s farms play a vital role in maintaining the region’s wonderful landscape, which research shows brings huge economic benefits to the North East. With the support of partners and agencies, including One NorthEast and the Government Office, the region’s land managers are able to look after precious landscapes while running a successful business and providing increased value of the countryside.”

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of One NorthEast, added: “The rural economy has a very important part to play in the wider growth of North East England’s economy and competitiveness. The farms we’ve visited in County Durham today are fantastic examples of the innovation being shown by the sector to reach new customers and markets, whilst at the same time promoting and protecting our wonderful landscape.”

Jonathan Blackie, Regional Director of the Government Office North East, said: “There is some excellent ground-breaking work happening in the North East and it is great to see the many successes that can be achieved when partners work together to benefit the environment and economy.”

Over lunch at Broom House Farm, three other farmers who work closely with Natural England talked passionately about their work to provide new social and environmental benefits on their farms (see note 3 below).

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For further information, please contact David Hirst, Natural England regional media officer on 0191 229 3388 or david.hirst@naturalengland.org.uk

Additional notes:

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. One NorthEast manages the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Programme for England programme. The £3.9bn national programme is the mechanism for delivering money allocated to England from the European Fund for Rural Development and the Government until 2013. Around £6.6m of investment in the region is targeted at making agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable, and developing micro-enterprise, bio-energy, rural tourism and sustainable communities. The RDPE is jointly funded by Defra and the EU and is managed in the North East by One North East, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

3. Elaine Edgar of Castle Nook Farm near Alston talked about the important Roman fort and lead mining heritage on the farm and their plans for providing educational access and new habitat for wildlife.

Ian Dods runs a successful farm shop and tea room at Ulnaby Hall Farm and is developing picnic and classroom areas. He entered Nature England’s Higher Level Stewardship scheme last year and the farm’s management is already benefiting a wide range of wildlife.

Piercebridge Farm is run entirely organically and Chris and Liz Hodgson have received many awards for their organic produce and have featured in Rick Stein’s Food Heroes of Britain. The farm entered into an Organic HLS agreement in 2006, which helps make the most of the special features of the farm by restoring and protecting the historic features of the farm, and protecting their walls and hedgerows. The agreement also allows the Hodgsons to run educational visits to the farm.

Issued by Natural England North East, The Quadrant, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8NZ