Earlier this year we were asked to contribute to The September edition of environmental SCIENTIST – the journal of the #InstitutionofEnvironmentalSciences(IES) – examines the evolving concept of ‘net gain’ in environmental policy frameworks, from both a UK and global perspective.
For the first time in a generation, Alscot Estate has the opportunity to consider its long term land use strategy. This comes at a time where the agricultural transition in England, alongside a broader political agenda of tackling environmental crises, means that rural land management is now focused not only on quality food production, but also on environmental provision and social value.
As a result, Alscot’s ambition is to farm in a regenerative manner and from September 2024, we began farming regeneratively on “home farm” land.
The year 6 students from The Croft Preparatory School ventured to the Estate again this week to take part in nature studies on the biodiversity land at Alscot. The children took part in orienteering, identifying native tree species, an invertebrates study and a wildlife and plant ID walk. We hope the activity day inspired the children to become a positive voice for nature in future, and based on their enthusiasm, even on a damp day, we have no doubt that they will.
Click HERE for the video
Alscot Park was the venue on Friday 9th Dec for the C&W Chamber of Commerce South Warwickshire Branch Meeting. The topic of conversation was green skills and how businesses are focusing on becoming more sustainable. It was a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and businesses and share thoughts, ideas and connections.
Cricket was the winner when an Alscot team, captained by Andrew Holman-West, and made up of Alscot associates, played a friendly match against Warwick Cricket Club, the new and very welcome guests at Alscot Park cricket pavilion.
The Warwick team, captained by Mike Hope, batted first & scored 168 in their overs. Batsman were encouraged to "retire" after scoring some 25-30 runs.
On Thursday 15th December, in excess of 150 guests braved the freezing temperatures and snow and came out in force to support Carols, Candles & Canapés at Alscot Park to raise vital funds for The Children’s Society. The event organised by The Shipston Deanery Committee, with support from Emma and Andrew Holman-West was attended by Chief Executive, Mark Russell, who gave a humbling and inspiring speech, and by the Bishop of Coventry. The total sum raised was £5,765.00
Party in the Park held at Alscot Park on Sunday 17th July raised a whopping £6,500 for Shipston Home Nursing.
The event was a milestone celebration to mark the 25th year of SHN and the remarkable work they do providing support and care to families who are facing difficult times in their lives.
This years theme 'Party in the Park' included a car boot sale, classic car display, live music, cocktail bar, teas, children's entertainer and camels. Those attending had the opportunity to browse the family gardens and historic parkland, and see some of the magnificent architecture, structures, ponds, vistas, and of course the abundant, fragrant and spectacular trees and flowers.
The event raised £6,500 for the charity.
Alscot has donated a beautiful oak tree to Nettlefold Garden, just one of the projects run by Moor Pool Heritage Trust; a charity formed specifically to acquire the community facilities for the benefit of the local and wider community. The tree has been donated and planted as part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year. The tree will be formally recognised at an event over the Jubilee weekend 2-5th June 2022.
To learn more about The MPHT follow the link http://moorpoolhall.org.uk/.../moor-pool-heritage-trust.html
The Alscot Community Calendar raised £1800 for the Church of St Mary, Preston on Stour.
We felt that the images shared on the Alscot Community Facebook page, all taken by amateur photographers depicting life on the Estate, deserved to be shared further and so we created a calendar for the coming year as a platform to showcase a selection of these wonderful images.
All images were blind chosen (no names on the photographs) and the calendar features photographs from 15 different members of the local community.
Loretta and Nat took up the challenge to walk 26 canal path miles from Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon, to raise funds for Alzheimer's UK.
The Alzheimer’s Society works hard in changing the landscape for all forms of dementia forever.
Three months of training, with over 350 miles clocked up, paid off and they completed the 26.7 mile walk on Friday 27th August in 7 hours 8 minutes.
The Alscot Squatters embarked on PCUK’s campaign 50 Squats a Day in May, supporting people with pancreatic cancer and campaigning for vital research.
The restrictions of the pandemic forced the Alscot team apart during 2020 and much of 2021, and during this time the importance of mental and physical health became much more apparent. It was important for the team to do something that enabled them to join-together and at the same time achieve something worthwhile, for themselves and others. With so much leisure time being spent walking, the team wanted to take on a challenge that involved something other than steps, which is where squatting came along.
Each member of The Alscot Squatters pledged to squat 50 times per day in May and in return raised £2,341 for the charity.
June 2019
On a warm sunny evening, with spectators watching on, the captains of the Alscot X1 and Yelo X1 strode out to the excellent looking wicket at Alscot Park. On winning the toss , Alscot skipper, James Holman-West, nominated to bat. On went the bails and off went the team into the T20 friendly match.
The Estate’s annual Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular, held at The Bell on Friday 2nd November, proved a huge success with the crowds and for Stratford Cricket Club. The Bell provided a BBQ and bar whilst DJ Bobby Hunt entertained the adults and children alike. Glowing swords, headbands and windmills could be seen in abundance in the dark, the club ran a tombola and the fireworks were a huge hit.
Sept 25th, 2018
Alscot held a series of events and fundraising initiatives to support the Stratford Hospital Cancer and Eye Ward £1million Appeal. We were very proud and honoured to be invited to the official opening of the new Stratford Hospital, on 25th Sept, where Emma was introduced to HRH The Princess Royal. Emma was an active part of the board and involved in the furnishing of the wards. It was imperative to Emma that the wards were comfortable for patients, their families and supporters, who can spend many hours at the hospital receiving cancer treatments.
July 2018
What a glorious evening, on Thursday 19th July, as Alscot hosted the annual cricket event and the Alscot XI took on the RCMA Select XI. The Estate opted to 'bat' first and went about it exceptionally well. The top order were in fluent mood and were soon piling on the runs. After a well-deserved drinks break (with the odd beer doing wonders for the RCMA sporting abilities), RCMA struck back well with a cluster of wickets and kept Alscot to 159 in their 20 overs.
Over 60 guests attended a charity drinks event held at Alscot Park on 14th June 2018 to support GWCT (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust). The Bell, Alderminster delivered exquisite canapes whilst guests were invited to bid on auction items, all kindly donated to the charity, Emma and Andrew Holman-West were pleased to host the event in their home which raised in excess of £12,500 for GWCT.
