The first winner of the National Landscape Award in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley Project area has been announced.
The new Robert Erith National Landscape Award celebrates and recognises the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation and enhancement or raising awareness of the natural beauty or special qualities of the National Landscapes in the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project area.
The judging panel were very impressed by all the nominations and noted what a difficult decision it was to choose one nomination for the award due to the extremely high standard of applications.
The winner of the Robert Erith National Landscape Award in the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is Geoffrey Probert who farms the Great Bevills estate in Bures.
The judges wanted to recognise Geoffrey for his work in expanding and energising the Stour Valley Farmer Cluster which he took over from its founder & inspirer Major Carol Gurney.
The Farmer Cluster now embraces the great majority of land in the Dedham Vale & is becoming increasingly effective as a means of promoting conservation & biodiversity on a landscape scale, and in delivering close AONB/farmer cooperation. As a Farmer on the Bevills Estate which borders onto the River Stour he has always been concerned about conservation & biodiversity
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership, said: “The panel were impressed by Geoffrey’s commitment to biodiversity, not just his wanting to make a difference to his own farm but to work collectively with others in the Dedham Vale to achieve a better environment for nature to thrive”.
In his acceptance speech, Geoffrey Probert stated: “I am very honoured to be the first recipient of the Erith National Landscape Award – especially given the huge amount Robert Erith himself has done for the Dedham Vale, for the AONB and for promoting the case for an upstream extension of the AONB.
I accept this award on behalf of all the the Stour Valley Farmer Cluster team – especially of Major Carol Gurney of Tunmers Farm who had the vision to found our Cluster- and of Fiona Wells our environmental Facilitator who skilfully drives us farmers to do the right thing”.
Award winners will receive a framed copy of a linocut print created by local artist, Jem Seeley, and produced by Drab Ltd featuring the AONB’s iconic species – hazel dormouse in the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley.
The awards is named after Robert Erith TD DL; the former Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership, a lifelong advocate for the special landscape.
The award aims to inspire others to get involved in the AONB to ensure the outstanding landscape, wildlife, heritage and culture is protected for all to enjoy for many generations to come.
Find out more information about the Robert Erith National Landscape Award.