Cotswold Chatterblog

Robin Dale at Manor Farm, Bourton-on-the-Hill, near Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds is offering free Cotswold Farm Walks as part of the DEFRA Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Conservation Scheme.

Robin Dale was born at Bourton-on-the-Hill and took over the family farm in 1984 and at the same time took the tenancy of Bank Farm at nearby Aston Magna. His parents had moved from Leominster, Herefordshire to Manor Farm, Bourton-on-the-Hill in 1945 and father Ken brought 10 cows with him.

When Robin left school he worked on the farm and was by 1962 was milking the cows on his own. He was taught at an early age to be a Custodian of the Countryside, “to leave the land as you found it -we are after all just big gardeners” Robin was taught to hedge lay by Lord Dulverton’s head forester and has competed in numerous competitions all over the country. He is now a judge for hedge laying competitions and is chairman of the National Hedge Laying Society.

The Cotswold Farm Walks are free under the HLS Scheme and take a minimum of two hours and are suitable for any size of party from 2 to 50 people. Robin will take you around the Cotswold countryside and you will learn about the farm, local history, wild life, wild birds and wild flowers from the farmer who has been working this land for over 60 years. The walk will be taken at a gentle pace but stout footwear is recommended.

A RSPB search at Manor Farm identified the following birds on Red High Conservation list:- Barn Owl, Lapwing, Skylark, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Linnet, Yellow Hammer and Goldcrest.
On their Green List they identified:-Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Fieldfare, Dunnock, Hedge Sparrow, Redstart, Kestrel and Stock Dove.

Also on the farm are Badger, Monkjack, Roe Deer, Hare, Rabbit, Pole Cat, Weasel, Stoat and Squirrel.
The Farm Walks take in the sights and sounds of the countryside with a touch of gossip and an untold amount of history.

Robin Dale
Manor Farm
Bourton-on-the-Hill
Moreton-in-Marsh
Gloucestershire
GL56 9AQ
Telephone 01386 700312 or 07774 693720
www.cotswoldfarmwalks.co.uk

Source: Cotswold Farm Walks

Tags: cotswolds | countryside | farming

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