The 2018 winner Giles Mounsey-Heysham
THE annual National Silver Lapwing Award ceremony will take place on June 17th.
The Silver Lapwing is an award for farmers who have demonstrated a real commitment to species and habitat conservation while integrating their environmental management with their overall farm business. Also showing a dedication to understanding and conserving the historic aspects of the farm. In addition, consideration is given to the farm’s approach to conserving natural resources; this includes good soil management, the protection of water quality and efficient use of water and energy. These are all areas that the judges consider on their tour of the competition finalists.
The seven finalists for 2019 include: John & John Billington of Kemsey Manor, Shropshire, David & Katherine Butler of East Wick Farm, Wiltshire, David Rose of Home Farm, Nottinghamshire, Edward Tupper of Littleton Farm, West Sussex, James Turner of Brackenburgh Home Farms, Cumbria, Llŷr Jones of Derwydd, Wales and Charles Inglis of Hole Farm, Norfolk. All seven farmers have shown continued dedication to preserving and encouraging wildlife on their farms; the winning position will be a very difficult choice this year.
This year, the award ceremony will be hosted by Giles Mounsey-Heysham and his son Toby, of Castletown Estate Farm, who won the award in 2018. The presentation will be followed by a tour of Castletown Estate, highlighting some of the reasons why Giles won the Silver Lapwing in 2018.
The celebrations this year coincide with FWAG’s 50th Anniversary, marking 5 decades of independent, expert advice to farmers. The national FWAG Association represents local Farming & Wildlife Advisory Groups (FWAGs) across the UK in partnership with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). FWAG has helped British farmers for 50 years, providing trusted, independent, environmental advice and will continue to do so alongside modern agricultural practice. FWAG Advisers are accredited, trained and experienced, with nothing to sell but advice.
This is the 11th year the award has been sponsored by Waitrose and the FWAG Association is very grateful for their support. The 2019 award is also sponsored by Smith & Williamson, Accountants. We would like to thank our sponsors for their kind contributions.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk