Winter 2024 Newsletter
In this issue, as well as our Estate article, we have an update on the Helping Herts charity campaign.
In this issue, as well as our Estate article, we have an update on the Helping Herts charity campaign.
I write this at the end of another wet week, 2 inches in less than 7 days. We now have a weather station on the estate so we have more detail on the weather we experience. There is no doubt that weather patterns are increasingly unreliable and more extreme.
Our autumn sown crops have in some areas grown well, especially after beans or other legume crops. However, the wet weather stopped us drilling everything so on the November frosts we drilled the final 200 acres which have not grown at all. They will now be redrilled with spring barley and a legume mix within the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
The days are starting to lengthen and it feels slightly warmer. Plants are starting to grow and bulbs are starting to show in different areas. Spring is on the way.
It won’t be long until we start top dressing crops with fertiliser and making sure crops are clear of disease.
Agriculture is a changeable and challenging business. Currently farm gate prices are poor and direct subsidies have ended with the end of BPS (Basic Payment Scheme). Support now comes in the form of environmental support and encouragement, with Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive and Landscape Enterprise Networks (LEN). The first 2 schemes use public money for public goods and LENs is commercial funding to achieve similar aims. Expect to see changes on the Chaldean Estate and probably on most other farms. We have recently become involved with 2 new local farm cluster groups, both with aims to improve the quality of the local chalk streams, The Ash and Rib. The groups are partly educational but also try to make changes on a landscape scale, rather than just at farm level.
There has been little work planned in our woods over the winter. There will be further thinning taking place as we move into spring and some drier weather allowing for better access.
Firewood sales have remained strong, although the pattern of sales has been quite different to last year. External weather has a big impact on demand. Our new delivery truck (pictured) has been well received by customers as well as making life for our driver, Brian, much easier. Access onto driveways is much simpler and the location of the crane at the rear allows us to deliver more accurately. Unlike last year we have managed to keep ahead of demand and processed sufficient logs to ensure no running out.
Work in the vineyards is very limited after harvest. Ground conditions have been very wet and pruning has only just started in the older vines. This will take roughly 3 weeks with our team of vine staff coming over 2 days a week.
The new vineyard has taken well. These plants will be cut back to above the second bud ready to grow a strong leader, the basis of all our future crops. One row has been planted close to the boundary fencing and so will be moved shortly. Due to last year’s changeable weather, the base fertiliser wasn’t applied before planting and will be going on shortly. We are hoping to mulch all the vines with a compost along all the rows. This should help with water retention if we have another hot dry spell. The biggest issue will be getting 200t of compost delivered ready for spreading.
As we move into spring, work across the estate will pick up. Field work on the farm and in the vineyards will start in earnest and, as the ground dries, we will be able to access the woods to collect timber and continue thinning and coppicing.
We have been successful in applying for funds to support track and yard improvements to reduce run off and pollution. We will be busy completing all the works required.
We continue work on a 10-year business plan for the estate, considering potential development opportunities and diversification. Sadly, income from farming is falling again and it will need diversification to help farms earn sufficient income.
As you will see from this Newsletter, we have redesigned our brand and logos which will be rolled out shortly across the estate. Keep an eye out for dark blue writing with a hornbeam leaf logo. We are very pleased with it!
We are delighted to report that during 2023 a total of nearly £300,000 was raised. This was handed out to our 12 children’s & young people’s charities at an event held in January at the University of Hertfordshire (pictured). The cheques were presented by Professor Quintin McKellar, who is Vice-Chanceller at the University.
To kickstart our fundraising for 2024, we have had a February '12 Miles for 12 Charities walking Challenge'. A few of our Chaldean Staff signed up to this challenge by walking 12 miles over the course of the month through the Estate during their lunch hours (pictured Rita & Sally).
In total 18 different teams have signed up and we hope to raise over £3,000.
Other events we have lined up for this year include:
A 6 Marathon challenge whereby Gordon Morrison & Jim Tatchell, the co-Founders will be walking 12 loops of the Great Big Walk for Herts in 12 days. They will be joined along the way by individuals, teams and companies. This will take place from 20th April to 2nd May.
Various Sustainable Fashion Shows throughout the year, the first one taking place on 30th April at the University of Hertfordshire.
A partnership Go-karting event on 4th July.
Helping Herts Week taking place between 1st and 5th July.
Helping Herts is co-founded by our Chairman, Gordon Morrison and Chaldean is the primary corporate sponsor. Helping Herts is also the official charity of Stort Valley Rotary, of which Gordon is President.
To find out more visit our website www.helpingherts.com or email us at hello@helpingherts.com