The Gloucestershire Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group works to promote sustainable agriculture and wildlife protection on farms. Each year we run the Silver Pintail Farming and Wildlife Competition to raise the profile of the good work carried out by farmers across the county.  

This year’s theme was ‘Water Management’ because of the importance of sustainable water management for food production, essential ecosystem functions and better adaptation to climate change for present and future generations. Water Management includes not only rivers, ponds and ditches but water meadows, culverts, cross drains and water harvesting. 

The entries were varied and so many wonderful farming enterprises which were both innovative and forward thinking. Our experienced judges Richard Appleton and Robin Nicol confessed they had a fascinating task on their hands which they really enjoyed! Making the decision was complex and in-depth and very difficult as the themes so varied in their representation. Also the standards for the environment, wildlife and food production were so high across the board.  

The three finalists were: 

Chris Rumming at Park Farm, Lydiard near Swindon 

Charles and Will Mann at Oxleaze, Farm near Lechlade 

Tim Morris and Ruth Fitzgerald, Gawcombe at Westcote. 

  

 

The award event was hosted by the Boyd family at the brand new Sainfoin Centre, for events at Whittington Lodge Farm, Whittington near Andoversford. As usual, with any FWAG event there was a great atmosphere, lots of good conversation and some talks and slides by the FWAG team. 

Debbie Wilkins talked about the Flourishing Floodplains Project in the Severn Vale. Joanne Leigh talked about Natural Flood Management habitat creation project. And of course, Jenny Phelps inspired us with a roundup of the Pintail Awards and current Gloucestershire projects.

Richard Appleton hosted the evening and gave a warm and glowing account of the farms, especially the three finalists. He recounted the difficulty of choosing the winner from the final three who were all of such a high standard. 

Chris Rummings, Park Farm was awarded the Silver Pintail Award. 

 

He explained about his various management techniques including pond and water management to encourage Teal, Duck, Kingfishers, Toads, Newts and growing Yellow Flag and Marsh Marigold from seed to increase populations.  His work to increase Water Vole’s on the farm is unrivalled, including leaky dams to create pools and fencing water courses to avoid poaching. Numbers are increasing as are the Sky Larks, Swallows, Hares and wildlife in general with Chris’s careful management, even moving electric fences to protect nests and slow and considerate cutting of hay and silage to allow wildlife to escape.  

Thank you to everyone who participated in the awards especially Chris Rumming, Charles Mann, Tim Morris and our dedicated and knowledgeable judges, Richard Appleton and Robin Nicol who gave up their time once again. 

 

Nominations are Open for the 2023 Farming & Wildlife Awards County Competitions, as well as the Regional Barn Owl Award! Nominate a friend, family member, or even yourself today!