Northumberland farmer takes stewardship to a higher plain

A Northumberland farmer was among the first in the region to sign up to Defra's Environmental Stewardship (ES) Higher Level Scheme (HLS) in a bid to safeguard some of the region's Roman heritage.

Willie Woodman took over the reigns of Great Chesters Farm, near Haltwhistle, from his father in the 1980s and now runs the business in partnership with his wife Christine and mum Kathleen.

The family farms around 1,050 acres of land, within the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, on which they have a 260-strong herd of suckler cows and around 630 sheep.

Now for the first time they have signed up to Defra's agri-environment schemes delivered by the Rural Development Service, as well as working in partnership with English Nature, English Heritage and Northumberland National Park they aim to enhance and preserve the wildlife habitats and archaeological features of the land.

Mr Woodman explained:

"We had considered joining the previous Countryside Stewardship Scheme, but we would not have been able to afford to make the required reductions in herd size.

"The rules under the new scheme are different and we've been able to enter much of our land into HLS enabling us to carry out work to protect some of the historic features we have including a Roman fort and sections of Hadrian's Wall.

"We'll also be cutting back on the use of fertilisers and reducing ploughing in some areas. Some of our land also lies within a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and as part of our agreement we'll be introducing strict grazing management to help restore and protect species rich grassland.

"It makes sense for us from both an environmental and financial point of view."

Andrew McNaught, an adviser for the Rural Development Service in the North East, said:

"More than 970 farmers, landowners and other land managers have entered into ES agreements at both Entry and Higher Levels in the North East region.

"We're delighted with the response we've had to the scheme so far and are keen to welcome more applications, particularly for HLS.

"The agreement at Great Chesters is very much a partnership with the farmer, ourselves, English Nature, English Heritage and the Northumberland National Park. Together we'll be aiming to carry out repairs to a Roman fort and sections of Hadrian's Wall.

"The agreement will also allow for the protection of the vallum, the ditch that runs parallel to the wall; the restoration of species rich grassland within the SSSI and the restoration and maintenance of blanket bog, a national Biodiversity Action Plan habitat."

Claire Furness, English Nature conservation officer, said:

"We are delighted Mr Woodman has entered into HLS, and we hope that the new grazing regime will restore the species rich grasslands and see the return of important plants like wild chives and biting stonecrop. These are rare species found on the thin soils of the Whin Sill and are restricted to just a few sites within Northumberland."

Mike Collins, English Heritage's Hadrian's Wall Archaeologist, said:

"This scheme represents a great opportunity for helping farmers like Mr Woodman to secure the future of historic and archaeological features on their farm. At Great Chesters, we're planning consolidation of the Roman Fort and part of Hadrian's Wall to secure their future and allow all who visit or work in this area to enjoy these features of the World Heritage Site for many years to come."

Mary Gough, Northumberland National Park Authority's Farming Advisor, who drew up the HLS Farm Environmental Plan and draft agreement for Great Chesters, said:

"We are extremely pleased that Mr Woodman has taken advantage of the National Park's advisory service to help set up this agreement. This will conserve internationally and nationally important features, whilst still enabling the land to be farmed. We hope that this move will encourage more farmers to consider the environmental and financial benefits of entering HLS."

Farmers are reminded that they can still submit ELS applications for the majority of their farms, they do not have to wait until outstanding issues with the Rural Land Register (RLR) on individual land parcels are resolved. Applications are also invited for HLS.