New conservation awards, introduced for the first time at this year's Ripley Show, demonstrate small holders' commitment to maintaining and enhancing the beauty and upkeep of the Nidderdale landscape.

 

The awards, created by The Friends of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in partnership with the Ripley Show committee proved to be a great success with a number of outstanding entries. The winners received cash awards sponsored by Nova Healthcare, who run Britain's leading brain cancer treatment centre at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

 

This year's first prize winner, who received a cheque for £300 and a plaque of recognition, was Rachel Benson of Old Sleningford Farm, North Stainley. The 17 acre farm is run by two couples who live in cottages on the site. The award was collected by Martin Baker one of the partners in the venture.

 

They practice a low environmental impact lifestyle aiming to be as self sufficient as possible. They keep chickens, pigs and sheep, grow their own vegetables in raised beds, heat their home from wood gathered on the farm and produce and sell charcoal. In addition they planted a 1.5 hectare forest garden with widely spaced fruit trees and under planted with fruit shrubs and soft fruits. They have volunteer days and a small classroom teaching such subjects as rearing chickens for meat, smoking and curing meat and forest gardening.

 

The £150 second prize winner Clive White of Darley, manages and uses his land using traditional methods to achieve a wealth of beautiful flower meadows and are some of the best examples of old meadows anywhere in the Nidderdale AONB. There is a public footpath following an old pack horse route over some of the property near Darley Beck. The fields are grazed by sheep in the spring and then shut off for hay; latterly the owner grazes his own Longhorn Cattle.

 

The £100 third prize went to Kim Harris of Tiplady Farm, Blazefield who also aims at self sufficiency. Mr Harris has made great strides in planting new native woodland, encouraged the regeneration of native herbs, created small ponds and marshes and erected over 100 bird nesting boxes.

 

Douglas Adamson, Chair of the Friends commented "We are very pleased at the calibre of entries for our first year of these new awards. It is gratifying to see the efforts being made by smaller property and landowners to maintain the beauty of the AONB for now and future generations; they set a great example for us all to follow.  My thanks go to all involved in this venture: all the entrants, Ripley Show and our sponsors Nova Healthcare from the St.James's Hospital Brain Cancer unit in Leeds for their generous sponsorship.'