Winners of Suffolk farming competition announced

The Suffolk FWAG Presentation evening took place at Trinity Park, Ipswich on Thursday 7 November.

The event was attended by approximately 90 local farmers and landowners.The evening was hosted by Glenn Buckingham, Chairman of Suffolk FWAG and guests were treated to a presentation by Jim Bacon, former head of the Anglia Television weather team and Managing Director of Weatherquest, a weather forecasting company which serves a range of industries, including the agricultural industry.

During the evening, the winners of the annual Farm Conservation Competition, sponsored by Ashtons Legal, and the Tim Sloane Award were announced.

The winner of the Farm Conservation Competition was The Broxtead Estate, Sutton which is owned by the Paul family. Robert Paul accepted the Peewit Trophy on behalf of the family. The estate encapsulates an arable and livestock farm and has an incredible commitment to conservation.

The runner up was Chris Knock and Manor Farm, Battisford, near Stowmarket – one of Suffolk’s most ancient farming estates, which was once owned by the Order of St John, the Knights Hospitaller.

This year, the judges of the Farm Conservation Committee were John Pawsey, a farmer, conservationist and former Chairman of Suffolk FWAG, and Phil Watson, from Suffolk County Council’s Environmental Section and a former FWAG advisor. The winners of the Tim Sloane Award were Tim and Heidi Crick, from Beach Farm, Benacre. The theme this year was wetland management and the judges were Peter Holborn, who served on the FWAG committee for over 25 years before retiring last year, and Will Akast from the Environment Agency.

Jeanette Dennis, Agriculture Partner at Ashtons Legal commented: “Ashtons Legal has been supporting FWAG for a number of years and was pleased to sponsor the award once again this year. For the past few years, I have been privileged to see the farms as I drive around the judges. It is always a fantastic experience and a real privilege to have seen so many fabulous farms over the years, and this year was no exception. There was such a huge range and diversity of farms across Suffolk and it was a very tough job for the judges.”

“In the past, the majority of Ashtons Legal’s support for Suffolk FWAG has come from the Agriculture and Estates Team. This year is no exception, but in addition we have been able to support Suffolk FWAG’s internal changes and take it to the next stage of its ‘re-birth’. Paul Whittingham, a Corporate lawyer in our Ipswich Office has led that support and I know everyone at Suffolk FWAG has been appreciative of his help.”

About Suffolk FWAG

Suffolk FWAG is a not for profit organisation providing environmental and conservation advice to farmers and landowners.

The competition has been running for over 30 years and celebrates farms which combine conservation and environmental stewardship with running commercial businesses.

Ashtons Legal has played an active role as sponsors of the competition, which we have supported since 1992, as well as the resulting annual farm walks.For more information, go to: www.suffolkfwag.co.uk