Press Release: Come Down on the Farm with CPRE

Come down on the farm with CPRE

Following the success of last year's trip, CPRE Hampshire has once again organised a visit to two farms on the Wintershill Estate near Winchester, on Saturday 21st June. Guided by the Estate manager Chris Cook, the tour will look at the many different agri-environmental schemes used within the Estate. The tour will also hear about some of the farming issues of 2007, looking at the issues surrounding the outbreaks of 'foot and mouth' and 'bluetongue' and hear first hand, how these have affected farming practices.

This year's visit will look at some different aspects of the farm, hopefully incorporating the butterflies, different habitats including the lake at Wintershill, woodland and hedgerow. Of particular interest will be the part of the Pilgrim's trail that encompasses a very clear section of Roman Road; the SINC status of Kimber's Copse; also the diversification of Wintershill - including the re-use of its redundant buildings and a possible look around the smokery. There will be a trailer ride at Twyford, to encompass the pedigree Red Ruby cattle, some of the arable ground and a new permissive footpath amongst other features.

Becky French of CPRE Hampshire, who is helping to organise the event said:

"This visit was so popular last year that we've decided to organise another trip - this time looking at different aspects of the farm and looking at some of the current issues that face farming. There are some really unusual and interesting schemes used within the Wintershill Estate and this visit gives people the chance to see new farming diversification practices, amongst beautiful Hampshire landscape."

Both visits will begin with a short introduction about the farms' practices followed by a tour around the working farm, with a question and answer session. At lunchtime visitors will be treated to a ploughman's lunch at the farm.

The tour starts at 10.00am in Durley, where lunch will be served. The tour then moves onto Twyford and finishes at 3.00pm. The trip costs £10 per person and includes tours of the two different farms as well as lunch.

For all enquiries or a full copy of CPRE's forthcoming events list, please contact Becky French on 01962 843655 or info@cprehampshire.org.uk or visit www.cprehampshire.or.uk

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CPRE/H/138B

Notes to editors

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hampshire Branch (CPRE Hampshire) is a registered charity and a branch of the national CPRE charity.

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For membership information on CPRE, please contact:
Pam Mason, administrator, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For event media enquiries, please contact:
Becky French, Media and Admin Assistant
Tel: 01962 843655
Email: info@cprehampshire.or.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123 Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney000@aol.com