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The Suffolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is pleased to announce the winner of the Kerr Cup Farm Conservation Competition for 2007.

This prestigious competition, sponsored by Ashton Graham Solicitors, has been running since 1980 and is awarded to the farm that best demonstrates the integration of conservation, resource protection and diversification within a successful farming enterprise.

Richard Wrinch, announced as the 2007 winner, owns Hill House Farm which is an attractive family farm of 280 hectares overlooking the River Orwell, near Shotley. The farm is within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but it is Richard and Hazel Wrinch’s appreciation and understanding of the farm’s environmental features that really impressed the judges.

The farm is a stronghold for threatened species such as lapwing, corn bunting and corn marigolds because of the special care taken to ensure they thrive. Richard and Hazel’s enthusiasm means that guests at their busy B&B are encouraged to enjoy the farm, its wildlife and superb countryside.

The farm is run in a very professional way, planning for the future. Richard is fully aware of the current issues facing his farm which include the future of sugar beet and quality wheat, the way nutrients are used and sourced, the concept of Catchment Sensitive Farming and soil erosion are also being reckoned with. The farm has many features making it a very strong candidate for the Higher Level Scheme, which Richard is currently working on. The farm will now be entered in the national FWAG Silver Lapwing competition.

Manor Farm, Battisford, the home of Chris Knock and his family, were runners-up in the competition.

The judges this year were Julian Roughton, Chief Executive of Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Glen Buckingham, Manager of Helmingham Estate Farms, the winner of the competition in 2006. Emma Coke, agricultural solicitor with Ashton Graham and who accompanied the judges, commented "We have been sponsoring this competition since 1992 and my colleagues and I are never disappointed by the standard of entrants. Hill House Farm is an excellent example of how an enterprise can combine the demands of a commercial farm with the important aspects of preserving, protecting and conserving the environment."

The Kerr Cup will be presented to Richard Wrinch at the Presentation Evening on 17th October. If you would like to try to add your farm to the list of winners, please contact the FWAG office on 01473 652800 to get details of the 2008 competition.