News, Green Projects
Helen Hunt
‘Counting on Net Gain’, September edition of ...

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.

‘Counting on Net Gain’, September edition of environmental SCIENTIST
Green Projects
Helen Hunt
The Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming

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 Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming
Education, Green Projects, News
Helen Hunt
Biodiversity Education Day

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

Biodiversity Education Day
News
Helen Hunt
Read the Latest Copy of the Alscot Eye

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Read the Latest Copy of the Alscot Eye
Green Projects, News
Helen Hunt
A Green Agenda for Cov & Warks Chamber of ...

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.

A Green Agenda for Cov & Warks Chamber of Commerce
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Balancing Business and Biodiversity

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Balancing Business and Biodiversity

Improving biodiversity alongside supporting business can be a complex and tricky business. Planning and development are essential to the strength of Warwickshire's economy. Safeguarding and improving biodiversity throughout the county is essential to all our futures. Marrying up these two great objectives, so that both are achieved, can be a complicated business, but it is a high priority. Alscot is no stranger to balancing business, adapting with the times to generate income streams and encourage commerce, whilst protecting the surrounding countryside, for future generations.

Fifty Squats a Day in May for PCUK

Fifty Squats a Day in May for PCUK

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.

Alscot's Biodiversity Site - Lake Park

Alscot's Biodiversity Site - Lake Park

Alscot has recently taken Lake Park back in house, to manage as part of Alscot’s Biodiversity Project.

This means that we are committed to a long term plan, of at least 30 years, to improve the grass and woodland and in turn encourage and enhance plant and animal species and their habitats. In doing so, we are following a long term process-lead approach, set out by leading ecological specialists.

Retirement beckons after 61 years continuous employment man and boy!

Retirement beckons after 61 years continuous employment man and boy!

Stepping into his father’s footsteps, working on land in Clifford Chambers, where he lived as a boy, David Hall started his career in farming at the age of 15.

Working under the direction of local landowner, Major Taylor, David had originally started work 4 years earlier whilst at school, mowing the lawns at Clifford Manor for pocket money, before he ventured into full time employment.

Alscot Christmas 2020

Alscot Christmas 2020

Normally, we so look forward to being able share a drink, mince pie and the decked halls, with so many of you. Sadly, this year things are different, and as we are unable to spread a little Christmas cheer and kindness in person, we are doing so digitally. May we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy and much improved New Year.

Please click, watch and enjoy

Risk Management - Ensuring Safety Through Tree Surveys

Risk Management - Ensuring Safety Through Tree Surveys

As well as planting new trees across the Estate, very sadly we occasionally loose old ones too. Trees are often the victim of storms, including an ancient cedar tree that was recently damaged as a result of storm Dennis, and many others are lost to age, fragility and disease.

This old Turkey Oak was identified as over 70% dead and due to its size and exposed location, it was considered highly dangerous and had to be felled. With a tree of this size, felling is a highly skilled, dangerous and expensive job.

On 20th December 2019, the skilled team started work in extremely dark and wet weather conditions, however, this huge tree was felled successfully, professionally and with precision to ensure everyone's safety.

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Biodiversity Education

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Biodiversity Education

With biodiversity being high on the agenda in so many schools now, the purpose of this project is to engage with children and offer opportunities to provide them with an understanding, in an interactive way, of the bigger picture in which todays challenges sit. Our aim is to help deliver, through practical demonstration, the complex issue of biodiversity to the next generation, to influence and promote a positive effect, and ultimately improve the health of the planet, that impacts all our lives.

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Planting The Roundel

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Planting The Roundel

After two years in the planning, we are very excited to have some tangible activity to show you on our Biodiversity Project site!

Following a careful plan, week commencing 19th Oct 2020, we (Kate, Paul, Harriett and Elliott) planted in excess of 11,000 wildflower bulbs and plugs in a wooded area known as The Roundel and each of the species was selected carefully by top ecologists. The objective is to increase the biodiversity value of the wood by recreating a woodland ground flora, improving the age structure, and increasing the deadwood resource.

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Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Alscot Estate Policy

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Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Alscot Estate Policy

In line with Government advice https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response in regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have implemented changes to normal working practices. whilst prioritising the health of our employees and their families, we continue to operate our business by working remotely, ensuring that emails and phones are being responded to as normal.

We appreciate that some changes, such as lack of person to person contact, may be an inconvenience but as most people will understand, this is a sensible precaution to protect all concerned, particularly those that come into regular contact with the elderly and vulnerable, and we really appreciate your cooperation.