WINTER 2012 LOW PLAINS DRIFTERS The hobby couple who are living the dream Top of the tree! Meet the Elveden helpers who bring Christmas to our doors

Running with the herd Scenes that inspired a poacher turned playwright The magazine for National Grid grantors The magazine for National gridline PLUS: The apple grower bites back s Model animal rescue s Future-proofing farming s Win a gourmet break Winter 2012

Welcome to National Grid’s Land and Development Group

The Land and Development Group is responsible for acquiring all rights and permissions from statutory authorities and landowners needed gridline to install, operate and maintain National Grid’s electricity and gas transmission networks. The The diversity of grantors never ceases to amaze us Group acts as the main interface for landowners who have gas and electricity equipment installed so make sure you start the new year by sharing your on their land. Your local contacts are listed below.

success stories with the Gridline team ELECTRICITY AND GAS Æ North-west and Scotland 0161 776 0706 t’s been an eventful This edition is also a Æ South-east 01268 642 091 Æ South-west 01452 316 059 year at National Grid, good opportunity to Æ East 0113 290 8235.

with sustainability in all remind grantors of some of ELECTRICITY WAYLEAVE PAYMENTS I For information on electricity wayleave we do extremely high on the key safety messages Æ payments, telephone the payments helpline on the agenda. we’re keen to highlight, 0800 389 5113. A quick look at some of including the dangers of CHANGE OF DETAILS the projects we’re working growing or pruning trees Æ To inform National Grid of changes in ownership or contact details, telephone on around the country and vegetation beneath 0800 389 5113 for electric and 01926 654 844 for shows just how seriously overhead lines. gas, or email [email protected].

National Grid takes its responsibility to Talking of trees, take a look at the final ELECTRICITY EMERGENCY the environment and raising awareness feature, which showcases the work of Æ Emergency calls to report pylon damage to National Grid can be made on 0800 404 090. of the diverse work you, our grantors, do the people who bring Christmas to life Note the tower’s number – found just below the property plate – to help crews locate it. to keep the nation flourishing. each year… and don’t forget to make Whether it’s working with partners to sure you have a wonderful festive ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS Æ For information on electric and magnetic fields, develop wildlife havens, raising season and a prosperous 2013. call the EMF information line on 08457 023 270 children’s awareness of farming or (local call rate). Website: www.emfs.info. sponsoring animal rescue schemes to GAS EMERGENCY Æ 0800 111 999. make a tangible difference to rural communities, we are actively seeking to DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG Dawn McCarroll Æ Before carrying out any work in the vicinity get involved. Editor, Gridline of gas pipelines, overhead power lines or We love to hear from grantors telling underground electric cables, you should contact Plant Protection on 0800 688 588 so that searches us about what they do, and a handful of can be made to determine the exact position of any National Grid assets. stories that show off our grantors’ diversity appear later in this edition GOT A STORY? CUSTOMER COMMENTS Æ Write to Land & Development, – from the country estate to the apple Please contact Gridline if you have any National Grid House, Warwick news or stories that you think would be grower to the New Forest commoner Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick, of interest to other grantors. Warwickshire CV34 6DA. Or email safeguarding centuries of history. [email protected]. Tel: 01926 656 325 We are immensely proud of the Email: [email protected] Gridline is produced by partnership we enjoy with our grantors Write to: Gridline, Summersault Communications, Summersault Communications, 23-25 Waterloo Place, and would like to hear from more of you 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, to make sure we reflect the nature of the Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5LA. Warwickshire CV32 5LA. work you do around the nation.

02 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE Contents 18 10 05

Regulars 04 Look out for that tree 13 05 Grantor named Farmer of the Year 06 Partnership reaps rewards for sustainable future 07 Huge clean-up under way 60 years after the Blitz 07 Children’s television stars 08 get a taste of the high life Features Spa day competition winner

Congratulations to Peter Sunderland from Framingham Earl in 08 The commoners proud to Norwich for winning the spa day competition in the last edition be living the dream in the of Gridline. Peter correctly answered 95% to the question: New Forest What percentage of landowners respond to National Grid to 10 Heart of England scenery update contact information? On hearing he’d won, Peter said: “I really am thrilled to have won the competition. It will be a that turned Shakespeare nice break – thank you Gridline!” from poacher to playwright 13 How National Grid is taking sustainable Don’t plough countryside to a wider audience a lone furrow… 14 Why the future is still rosy despite a catastrophic Make sure you keep in touch with Gridline and other apple harvest grantors by sending us your 17 Saving lives on the land themed pictures, which also – how a giant model horse feature on www.flickr.com/ is playing a vital part photos/gridline/sets/ Then turn to page 20 for 18 Ever wondered why your the winner from last issue. 14 Christmas tree costs so much? The elves explain

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 03 04

WINTER 2012 WINTER 2012

The latest news from National Grid and its GRIDLINE Newslineoooonationwide grantor network Putting safety fi save owls save Wise team upturn in owl numbers. upturn inowl numbers. birds andhelp maintain arecent This istolimit disturbancetothe owls away the overhead from line. boxes forbreeding pairsofbarn have donated andputupnesting Daines substation nearManchester, CellarheadinStaff from amajorpowerin refurbishing line, landowners, andtoagree the impactourworks have on minimum ofthreeyears’ growth. the specifi obliged toremove vegetation to management contractors are National Grid's vegetation lines andobjectssuchastrees, safety clearances between power three-to-four-year cycle by need. cutting carriedoutona year, every are surveyed tree with National Grid’s 7,000km network HALF OF THE 22,000 SPANS ON THE PROJECT TEAM INVOLVED “We always seektominimise To maintain specifi Æ Æ Æ out Look electricity cables. underground access tomaintain disturb orprevent maintenance. vehicle accessfor might impedesafe beneath towersthat not beplanted towers. conductors or be plantedbeneath species should slow-growing ed clearance, plusa Roots can Roots can Vegetation must Only low, ed minimum ordshire to hearing wascalledby the England,north-east whereatree this courseofactionrecently in "Unfortunately, we hadtofollow Arcing complete essential work. powersuse ofourstatutory to our equipment, we mustmake a clearhazard topublicsafetyor works can’t beagreedandthereis Holmes, landsmanager east. grantors’ consent,” saidWilson through negotiation andwith vegetation management work “But asalastresort,where Overhead Line team adulthood thankstothe a better chanceofreaching barnowlsBaby now stand rst frequent lopping.” through moreextensive butless grantor’s landtoaminimum vegetation management. Robbie Miller, leadengineer for faster-growing species,” said still poseathreat, suchas looking at healthy treesthat could being removed andwe arenow them. disrupt event ofastorm,fallontoor to power linesthat could, inthe alltrees runningsurveyed parallel weather, sowe have now resilience intheevent ofextreme responsibility toensurenetwork National Gridalsohasalegal Threat the minimumsafetyclearance. part ofthetreecouldcomewithin should notcutvegetation ifany adjacent tolines,andgrantors out clearance work beneath or electricity totheground. supply, fi risking injury, majorlossof electrical current arcing across, line thereisadanger ofan clearance wasat risk.” situation wherethesafety Climate Change toaddressa Department ofEnergyand ofState forthe Secretary Only trained staff aimistokeep toa visits “The ordiseasedtreesare “Dead If abranch gets tooclosetoa re orthetreeconducting should carry shouldcarry News in brief

ALL SYSTEMS GO The completion of a pressure reduction installation in Tirley, Gloucestershire, has provided the fi nal element in National Grid’s 316km Milford Haven gas pipeline project.

Photograph: © Jim Varney Photograph: The installation to regulate Guy Poskitt was the fl ow of gas into the named the pick transmission system will of the crop enable the pipeline to operate at full capacity, carrying up to 20 per cent of the UK’s gas needs. The bulk of the project was completed between 2006

The future’s © Mark Mackenzie Photograph: and 2008. A total of 23,000 bushes and trees were planted as part of Guy collects the the landscaping work at the prestigious award bright for Guy site, which also included the use of 120,000 tonnes of recycled soil to create a CARROT-PRODUCING GRANTOR hectares growing carrots for Asda any rejects are processed as surrounding earth mound to Guy Poskitt headed off and other outlets, Guy devotes ready-to-cook batons. screen the facility. competition from thousands of another 1,600 hectares to arable The latest technology is used rivals to be named Farmers crops, vital to ensure a sustainable to increase yields, including GPS Weekly Farmer of the Year. one-in-seven carrot rotation. mapping systems for matching Guy, one of the largest carrot fertiliser applications to crop producers in the country with Increased yields requirements while also reducing more than 2,600 hectares of land All the crops are washed, packed pesticide use. across Yorkshire, Lancashire and and distributed from one site to Guy is cutting his carbon Scotland, also walked away with ensure control in all aspects of footprint too, recycling straw used the trophy for Arable Farmer of production. Nothing goes to for protecting carrots over winter the Year. In addition to 500 waste – shavings go into soup and and reducing fuel use.

LINE WORKERS STICK Award for TO THE LEGEND Legend has it that the kingdom will fall if the ravens pipeline at the Tower of London ever depart. project So when ravens, a protected species, were NATIONAL GRID HAS WON AN discovered on an overhead award from the Campaign to line refurbishment in East Sussex, our linesmen took Protect Rural England for no chances. Tim Vaughan, high-quality landscape Engineers stopped work National Grid restoration, following the after fi nding the birds on four project manager of the 146 towers on the construction of a new 44-km gas (left) and Viscount Bolney to Ninfi eld line. The transmission pipeline, which runs Rupert Bledisloe ravens are rare in Sussex, from Wormington to Sapperton in with only three pairs ever the Cotswolds. of Outstanding Natural Beauty in removal of 60 drystone walls – recorded. Also seen on the National Grid was nominated Gloucestershire. a distinctive feature of the area project were great crested newts, badgers, kestrels and by the Cotswolds Conservation Among a range of activities to – and their careful reinstatement peregrine falcons. The ravens Board, the statutory body that protect the environment during by specialist contractors on later fl ew with their young. conserves and enhances the Area the October 2010 works, was the completion of the project.

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 05 Newsline

One- minute Link-up set to bring new interview

Paul look to the landscape Swinbourne, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A senior conservation body and National lands Grid will ensure essential offi cer, vegetation management and new south-west sustainable woodland habitat for plants and animals. BACKGROUND: I joined The link-up happened after a National Grid in 2005 following power line was constructed through the merger with Transco. Prior Burkinshaw’s Covert in Humberside to that I worked as a wayleave offi cer with British Gas. in 2006 to connect a new power station near Immingham. The wood CURRENT FOCUS: The Milford is owned by petrochemical Haven to Tirley gas pipeline, a company Total, which operates project to connect new wind farms to the grid in mid Wales, Lindsey Oil Refi nery to the west. and a refurbishment of the Severn Crossing overhead Restructuring power line. The wood forms part of a precious LEISURE INTERESTS: Cycling, belt of interconnecting countryside walking, surfi ng. in an industrial landscape. “The removal of the tree canopy Conservation volunteers RNLI lifeguard at are replanting the wood DREAM JOB: to create the overhead line route Croyde Bay, North Devon. with native trees corridor has already benefi ted MOST OVERUSED PHRASE: biodiversity at ground level,” said Take care. Mike Rockett, lands offi cer east. said: “The works will “We have agreed with the complement a major SOMETHING THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW Humberside Industrial Nature restructuring of the woodland ABOUT YOU: One of my Conservation Association (HINCA), over the next 20 years in Ground-level ancestors helped Charles II which manages the wood, to which non-native species are habitats will thrive escape from the Battle of remove some faster-growing tree replaced by native Worcester in 1651. species from alongside the broadleaves like oak.” directly under the power line. SOMETHING I’VE LEARNED overhead line. Planted in the 1960s, The plan is to maintain the Alan added: “The corridor will be FROM MY CAREER: Treat the trees are in poor condition and corridor as a linear glade with the one of the richest parts of the wood everyone as you would wish could be a threat to power lines.” outer woodland edge giving way to for biodiversity and we also plan to to be treated. Alan Jones (inset picture), graduated belts of shrub, longer develop the site as an outdoor DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN conservation manager for HINCA, grass and closely mown areas education resource.” THREE WORDS: Happy to help.

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN provide hundreds of learners with THE HOLLYWOOD FILM OF Investing in specialist training and modern YOUR LIFE: Pierce Brosnan – energy skills each year. he’s got my suave good looks! the future The building forms part of a IDEAL DINNER GUEST: John TRAINING WON’T BE THE SAME £20-m expansion to the centre. Wayne – an iconic American for National Grid apprentices after Mike Westcott, National Grid’s hero – to fi nd out what he was a new £4-million substation global HR director, said: “To like in reality! facility (left) was opened. continue to grow, we recognise the

FAVOURITE SONG: Lifted, by Based at the Company’s state-of- importance of developing our the Lighthouse Family. the-art Learning Centre in Eakring, people, and providing exciting and Nottinghamshire, the site will rewarding career opportunities.”

06 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE Project watch The Humber Gateway Project

Computer modelling Bombing raids was used before work devastated on the site began the capital’s infrastructure Bravery in the extreme THE HEROISM OF GAS WORKERS saved the gas works in material from the below-ground during a Luftwaffe bombing raid Bromley-by-Bow, East London, base of a former gas holder. The in July 1941 has been relived from destruction, and it massive underground structure during an 18-month National Grid continued to operate until the measured almost 60 metres in WHY? National Grid has clean-up of a former gas works. discovery of North Sea gas in diameter and 11 metres deep. completed enabling works to connect a new 220MW wind Under the headline ‘Death the 1960s. “Before excavations began, we farm, constructed by E.ON rained down, they carried on’, a used advanced computer some 8km off the East report in a local newspaper spoke Recognised modelling to assess the damage Yorkshire coast. of the ‘heroism and gallantry’ of The workers’ efforts were and discovered a 40-metre WHAT? The wind farm will the men, who risked their lives to recognised in articles published at section of the gas holder wall had transmit electricity to E.ON’s put out fierce fires at the works the time in the Stratford Express. been destroyed in the bombing,” onshore high-voltage direct caused by incendiary bombs. During the clean-up, National said National Grid regeneration cable (HVDC) convertor station The efforts of the gas workers Grid removed 60,000 tonnes of manager Sarah Rea. at Salt End via subsea cables and a 30km onshore cable. Here power will be converted to AC (alternating current) and fed to the adjoining 275kV Dick and Dom high in da sky! National Grid substation, where the voltage is stepped CHILDREN’S TV PRESENTERS Michael Faraday, the 19th century up for onward transmission. Dick and Dom spent a day at physicist and chemist who Connection to the network is National Grid’s training centre as discovered electromagnetic through the existing Salt End part of a programme explaining induction – the basis of electric to Creyke Beck overhead power line. The project how power is generated. power generation. witnessed National Grid’s first The small screen stars were use of a 41.6-metre temporary at Eakring filming a new series Safety messages mast to divert one circuit while Dom daren’t called Genius, which will be In the episode, Dick and Dom will two new pylons were being look down as constructed to link up with the he’s joined broadcast next spring on the explain how overhead linesmen substation. by the line CBBC channel. use Faraday principles to keep The mast was an extremely trainers The 10-part series, aimed at 8-12 themselves safe. cost-effective alternative to a year olds, looks They will also give some new temporary tower, which would have involved piled at some of the important safety messages about foundations to take account of world’s most staying away from high-voltage unstable ground conditions. important pylons and substations. inventors and Dom climbed one of the WHEN? National Grid was on- site from February to October scientists. training pylons and, although 2012 preparing the temporary The filming nervous, he was reassured by the mast structure (above). The focused on the specialist overhead line trainers farm is due to go live in 2014. work of who accompanied him.

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 07 The MANE attraction

Grantors Keith and Lesley Cromar are the proud owners of ponies that graze the unique landscape of the New Forest National Park

The Cromars have leased 20 acres of land at Marchwood in the New Forest since the early 1990s. Their smallholding lies largely within an overhead power line corridor constructed 40 years ago to connect Fawley power station. “We’d always dreamt of having our own small piece of the Forest to keep and ride ponies,” said Lesley. Keith, a retired director of a community and adult education centre, explained: “To qualify as a commoner you must own or rent property in the New Forest and have backup land if for any reason the ponies need to be taken off the Forest.” obby farmers Keith and Lesley Cromar delight in Keith now works part-time as a registrar, while his wife being labelled commoners, because for them the title is a receptionist for a local vet. The couple have nine ponies H is a dream come true. turned out in the National Park, centred on a ‘haunt’ of They are among 600 or so landowners in the New Forest more than 10 square miles that provides food, shelter, who exercise their right to turn out their ponies to graze. water and shade. Their presence shatters a widely held misconception that the ponies are wild. In reality, all are privately owned by Ancient traditions commoners whose property has common rights enabling “We’re hobby farmers,” said Keith. “We don’t have enough them to depasture their animals to graze. land to farm and there’s no money to be made from The commoners keep around 6,000 New Forest Ponies, breeding with ponies selling at auction for as little as £10.” and a smaller number of donkeys, cattle and pigs, in a Today only the finest stallions are allowed to run in the landscape shaped by the activities of its inhabitants since Forest and for only a brief period in June. “Limiting the size the time of William the Conqueror. The animals roam in of the herd and improving the quality of foals born will, in 90,000 acres of woodland and open heathland, stretching time, hopefully result in higher sale prices,” said Lesley. from Bournemouth in the west to Southampton in the east. Of late, outsiders have been buying up property in the The area became Britain’s eighth national park in 2005. New Forest, and a lack of affordable backup land and

08 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE The New Forest Feature

It’s a fact Æ Today, about 10 per cent of commoners own around 80 per cent of the ponies in the Forest. Æ Each year pigs are released into the Forest to eat the green acorns that can be poisonous for ponies (known as the pannage season). Æ Hardy, fast for their size and good tempered, New Forest Ponies make excellent riding mounts. Æ The Forest is the largest remaining area of lowland heath in Europe.

“As commoners we believe it’s more important than ever to maintain the ancient traditions” housing means many of the children of commoners have landscape, cowboy-style, into special pounds. had to move away from the area. “Frustratingly, our older mares sometimes sense when a “As commoners we believe it’s more important than ever drift is about to happen and make themselves scarce, only to maintain the ancient traditions that have gone on for to appear later at another drift we’re not at,” said Lesley. centuries,” said Keith. “If you don’t exercise these rights, After a drift the ponies receive a health check, with any you lose them.” that have lost condition pulled out before the harsh winter months. All the ponies have their tails cut or marked in a Architects of the Forest way that’s unique to each agister, signalling the owner has The commoners pay an annual fee for each animal on the paid their annual fees. Forest and elect their own representatives to an assembly Colts are removed and often sold as riding ponies. While called the Verderers’ Court, which regulates and protects some fillies will go on to spend their entire lives in the commoners’ rights. open, others will be taken home, weaned and sold at one The Verderers employ five agisters, expert horsemen, of the regular Beaulieu Road Pony Sales in the Forest. who monitor livestock in specific parts of the Forest and Sometimes known as ‘the architects of the Forest’ the attend the all-too-frequent road accidents. Sadly, dozens of ponies create the close-cropped lawns between wooded animals are killed and injured each year despite a 40mph areas and the browse line on the tree edge, so distinctive of speed limit on minor local roads. the landscape. The conservation grazing role of their ponies Once a year, between August and November, a series is a source of pride for the Cromars. Keith said: “It’s great to of spectacular round-ups take place – called drifts – in think we’re doing our bit to preserve the unique wildness which up to 100 ponies at a time are driven across the and tranquillity of this very special place.”

In numbers For more information…

New Forest Ponies and 600 active … on the New Forest visit 6,000 commoners across the 90,000 acres http://www.thenewforest.co.uk

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 09 The view of the house from across the lake where kingfishers make their nests

In the heart of England, where Shakespeare spent his early years, lies

an estate untouched by the world Following the fallow deer isn’t easy, but this where the deer roam freely and time group dutifully posed stands still for enchanted visitors for a portrait Inspiring THE bard ardener-turned-gamekeeper Paul Smith’s adoring gaze three years and doesn’t hesitate when asked to describe is fixed somewhere in the distance as he pauses his fleet-footed charges. G during a safari with a difference. “Phenomenal, fantastic, graceful – take your pick,” he His misty-eyed reverence, and that’s no exaggeration, is said, his eyes firmly fixed on the deer, identifying them reserved for a herd of a dozen deer that have temporarily instantly by their colour and antlers. gathered beneath a tree in a setting that may once have The incredible natural beauty in harmony with these inspired Shakespeare. majestic beasts is said to have inspired Shakespeare, who These magnificent creatures are among 190 fallow deer was once caught poaching in the Park as a young man. that roam freely in 250 acres of Charlecote Park, a few miles Centuries on and Paul, who has worked at the estate – from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. redesigned in the 1750s by Capability Brown – for 14 years, Paul has been managing the herd on the rolling banks of admits that over time he has learned to think like a deer. the River Avon alongside Park warden Simon Goodson for That’s just as well as he manoeuvres his Land Rover around

10 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE Charlecote Park Feature

In numbers 150,000 visitors this year once a year, the deer shed their antlers and replace them with larger ones, leaving a ring that helps to tell their age 30mph and 6ft the tree-shaded corners of the estate, coaxing is the deers’ speed and jumping ability the deer into place for our photographer. “They are my passion. I could watch them all day, but it’s not all deer safaris. Simon and I manage the herd and that means taking care numbers hovered around the 80,000 mark, with a of the cull,” he said. seven-day-a-week drive to promote the Park as a year-round “You feel remorse, but you know you are destination, which will see visitors top 150,000 this year. making the herd even stronger.” Paul, 30, is part of the three-strong team that Mystical spell run this jewel in the National Trust crown. He’s Beautifully arranged and constantly changing collections of also the head gardener, but will turn his hand flowers in Jubilee year red, white and blue adorn the Paul Smith (above) to anything. parterre terrace to the rear of the house. has learned to think like a deer At every turn, the estate is a feast for the senses that Feast for the senses entices growing ranks of visitors to return as things change He and Charlecote Park and Garden manager Lisa Topham The Jacob rams season by season. (above left) are a have ensured the Park bucks the national trend – no pun “If you see it, reach out, pick it and eat it,” prompted Lisa popular attraction intended – of declining visitor numbers by putting an as she showed off the gardens: “We want people to be part emphasis on year-round family attractions. The sun-kissed of the Park and really live it.” Winter walks and Christmas workshops, as well as the dahlias (above top) Several exquisite mulberries and the scent of cherry pie have been chosen to warm fireside lure of the 1558 Sir Thomas Lucy-built house, from the sun-warmed heliotrope flower, and the Park is attract butterflies have made it a heart of England destination, whatever already beginning to cast its almost mystical spell. the season. Paul has added dahlias to attract butterflies and is The grantor upped its game three years ago when visitor developing a wildflower meadow next to beautifully Æ

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 11 Feature Charlecote Park

Paul and Lisa are constantly evolving the family garden

The parterre terrace arrangements are updated twice every year

After the devastating Park life foot-and-mouth epidemic, Æ The Park was landscaped by the deer are now one of the Capability Brown National Trust’s flagship herds in around 1760. Æ A 1654 letter from Cromwell maintained, yet natural, gardens. The centuries-old summoning brewery, with its original flagstone floor, beehives creating then-owner Stress-prone deer relax in honey for the shop and the work of renowned sculptors Richard Lucy to an area of land kept free from the public glare all vie for attention along with the stunning red-brick the Barebone’s Parliament is house itself. on display. Administered by the National Trust since 1946, the Æ Trees in the flagship herds. They are truly pampered here, with a building – approached through an original Elizabethan Park have a sanctuary for when the public’s glare becomes too much gatehouse – hosted Queen Elizabeth I for a night in 1572. ‘browse line’ left for the easily stressed creatures. by deer eating The Lucy family extended the property in the Victorian low-hanging fruit Lisa said: “We’ve successfully made the Park a year-round era, making it one of the finest examples of an Elizabethan- and foliage. attraction by diversifying to give people almost total access. style revival in existence. Æ In April 2012, “In October we have the rutting, in spring we have the Breathtaking collections in each room, from the ornate Charlecote was lambing, and year-round there is Art in the Park as well as host to Antiques Grand Hall to the Drawing Room and panelled library, give Roadshow. in the house itself, and some wonderful walks with herons the house a just-lived-in feeling. Æ Shakespeare and kingfishers by the river. Oh and the bees.” mocked resident The dramatic impact Lisa, Paul and Simon have made has Devastating magistrate Sir quite rightly attracted financial investment from the Trust Thomas Lucy I, But it’s the grounds that take the breath away. Designed to who tried him in to build on the success. be part of the distant landscape, to please the Victorian the Great Hall on But Lisa added: “There are only three of us so we owe ladies of the house, they are home to the fallow deer. a charge of deer a huge debt to our volunteers and to those from local Clusters of these seemingly delicate beasts – confront one poaching. The businesses like NFU Mutual, who also come in to help. It Bard gained of the master bucks and he’ll think you’re a predator before revenge for his works so well and strengthens our relationship with the unleashing 70 kilos of power against you – skip away at the fine and flogging community and local companies.” sound of man, their only true predator. by making Lucy a The Bard would undoubtedly approve. Paul said: “I have the dream job, but there are negatives.” figure of fun in Henry IV Part II Like the mass cull of the Park’s 74 red and 300 fallow and the Merry deer during 2001’s foot-and-mouth epidemic: “It was Wives of Windsor, For more information… devastating, but it made us more determined to build it branding him all up again.” Justice Shallow and scoffing at … about everything from bee-keeping and Years on, Peter Green, one of the nation’s leading vets, his coat of arms. brewing to deer watching at Charlecote Park, recently hailed the Charlecote deer as one of the Trust’s visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park

12 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE LEAF Focus

We’re all in this Together A new audience is discovering how efficient and profitable farminggoes hand in hand with caring for the environment at a demonstration farm

growing network of Visitors get the inside track demonstration farms is bringing on sustainable farming A sustainable farming principles to a wider audience. The 40 farms are working with Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) to show schools, agricultural groups and conservation groups how the needs of food production are Youngsters get balanced with conserving valuable up close to the land action natural resources, including water, landscape and wildlife. One of them, Hainey Farm, two miles south of the cathedral city of Ely, grows a variety of salad and vegetable wheat and sugar beet as crops, including celery, beetroot, wheat and lettuce, for break crops to improve soil G’s Growers Co-operative. structure and reduce the build-up of crop-resistant Sponsored disease and pests. The 1,600-acre farm operated by JB Shropshire & Sons Farm chief The nutrient value of the executive embraces the concept of Integrated Farm Management John Shropshire soil is tested annually to ensure (IFM) advocated by LEAF and demonstrates how high that fertiliser applications are productivity can be achieved with low environmental targeted to the soil’s needs and impact. The farm has also welcomed more than 3,000 to identify the most disease-resistant crop varieties. Habitat visitors to National Grid-sponsored Open Farm Sunday has been created for a number of Biodiversity Action Plan in the past five years. key species, including skylark, water vole, grey partridge, “The fenlands are the bedrock of our farming business. reed bunting and pipistrelle bat. We place a high value on preserving and developing our Regular hedge maintenance and tree planting take place, soils, and the wildlife and fauna that contribute to this and the land is managed within an Entry Level Stewardship diverse environment,” said John Shropshire, the farm’s scheme that helps fund 120 miles of grass margins, blocks chief executive. of wild bird seed to help birds overwinter, and pollen and LEAF’s IFM principles run through the farming business. nectar mixes for bumblebees. The farm’s crop rotation is based on the use of winter The farm has become more water efficient by installing winter rainfall reservoirs to help its irrigation needs, and aims to cut energy consumption by a third, reduce Open Farm Sunday 2013 waste sent to landfill, and introduce more recycling in the production and packaging process. An anaerobic ÆRegister now for next year’s event on 9 June. digester is also ÆLots of free help and support is available. being built to turn For more information… ÆCome along to one of the free Open Farm Sunday workshops from February to April 2013. green waste and … on demonstration farms ÆVisit www.farmsunday.org for more information. maize crops into and Open Farm Sunday visit renewable energy. LEAF at www.leafuk.org

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 13 “You often get a bounce back after a bad year so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a bumper harvest in 2013” Apple orchard Feature English to the core Despite this year’s weather-hit harvest, the long-term future of the English apple industry is rosy, says Cotswolds grower Nicholas Dunsby

his year has proved to be a crunch time for English Tall, closely apples, with one of the coldest and wettest summers Apple packed trees for a century playing havoc with the harvest. facts give higher T yields than With the main crop up to three weeks late and apples traditional Apples smaller and weather-marked, supermarkets were forced to Æ orchards originated in the relax their cosmetic standards to obtain sufficient supplies. Middle East 4,000 “Blossoms were hit hard in May just when the fruit was years ago. setting,” said Nicholas Dunsby, MD of Cotswold Orchards, Æ They have been grown in near Broadway in Worcestershire, which recorded its worst the UK as a harvest since 1977 with yields down 60 per cent. cultivated crop “The wet weather meant there were fewer bees to since the Roman cross-pollinate the flowers. On top of that, apple trees are occupation. Apples are an very temperature-driven and if it’s too cold, the pollen Æ angiosperm (a tubes that fertilize the flower won’t develop.” flowering plant whose seeds are Family involvement protected by fruit) and a The family-run firm manages 130 acres of orchards, and member of the packs and sells around 2,000 tonnes of apples a year for rose family Morrisons supermarket, including fruit from seven other Rosacea. growers in the area. It has supplied Morrisons on an Æ Most of the manages the pack house and one of his daughters helps out beneficial exclusive basis for the last 10 years, having previously been with the harvest. antioxidants in contracted to Safeway for 17 years. The supermarket chain apples are found sells 400 tonnes of English apples a week in its stores at the in the skin. The right balance height of the season. Æ China is the Six varieties of apple are grown to span the season, starting largest producer The orchards were first established by Nicholas’s in the first week of August with Discovery and Worcester of apples (40 per grandfather more than 60 years ago when he left the army cent of the Permain, followed by Spartan, Egremont Russet, Cox and at the end of World War II and decided he didn’t want to world’s total). Gala right through to February and beyond. work for anybody else. Æ Apples are A local bee-keeper brings in around 40 hives prior to the rich in fibre, “People thought he was mad when he planted the critical pollination period in May, with the apples harvested cholesterol-free, orchards because the soil here is heavy clay, whereas apple sodium-free and within a four-week period in August and September. trees prefer a sandy loam,” said Nicholas. “It’s true the trees fat-free. As apples ripen, starches in the fruit begin the conversion do take a bit longer to establish, and you need good ÆGala has process into sugars. “We harvest when tests show the pipped Cox drainage, but once the roots are down they do fine.” starch content is below 70 per cent, just the right balance to the title The whole family remains very much involved today. of bestselling between acidic notes and sweetness,” said Nicholas. Nicholas’s father Paul is still active in the business, UK-grown apple. In the pack house, the apples are floated along a Nicholas’s mother looks after the accounts, his wife water-borne conveyor belt where they are graded Æ

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 15 Feature Apple orchard

The apples are graded into five sizes ready for the shelves

Nicholas hopes the next harvest beats the crunch electronically by weight into five sizes, before going into cold storage until required. “Some of the apples are stored in a Gas Controlled Atmosphere in which oxygen levels can be reduced to as low as two per cent,” said Nicholas. Bumper harvest “This puts a break on the Nicholas’s personal favourite apple variety is Cox. “It’s a natural ripening process so full-flavoured apple with a lot going on, like a fine wine,” they can be preserved right Little he said. “But many youngsters like Gala, which is sweet through to Christmas and beyond.” and juicy, like a bottle of fizz.” pips Although significant numbers of Cox have been planted High-yielding Æ An apple at Cotswold Orchards over the last 20 years, the intention These storage techniques are enabling British growers to has a more is to move towards a 50/50 balance with the popular and extend the marketing period for apples further into the complex genetic higher-yielding Gala variety. This year the business has make-up than season – a strategy known as import substitution. harvested its most recent intensively planted orchard, any other fruit. “It’s letting us claw back some of the market share that Æ Planting the featuring 1,100 trees per acre (normally 300 per acre). has been progressively lost since high-yielding foreign pips from an Planting a ‘hedge’ of taller more closely packed trees on a varieties like Golden Delicious and Granny Smith flooded apple won’t wire support system enables more light to reach the fruit, produce trees the market after we joined the EEC in 1973,” said Nicholas. resulting in higher yields per hectare. bearing identical During that time, many English growers were forced to fruit to the The supermarket chains responsible for more than 80 grub up orchards when low profits left them unable to original. per cent of sales are often criticised for promoting a small reinvest in new trees. “When I first started 30 years ago, Æ Cross range of higher-yielding apples with a long shelf life at the pollination there were 1,400 registered commercial apple growers, expense of diversity. means every pip but this has declined to around 300 today,” said Nicholas. is a potential “But the fact that only 30 of the 2,000 or so English A fight back began in the 90s when English growers new variety. varieties are commercially grown is for a very good reason,” started planting high-yielding orchards of popular imported Æ Trees are countered Nicholas. “Many of the heritage varieties no kept true to type apples, such as Gala and Braeburn, developing other new longer appeal to British consumers.” by grafting varieties and investing in highly productive orchards. The cuttings on to Despite this year’s poor harvest, Nicholas is optimistic: market share of English apples sold in supermarkets rose root stocks. “Generally, you get a bounce back after a bad year so we’re from 23 per cent in 2003 to 38 per cent in 2011. keeping our fingers crossed for a bumper harvest in 2013.”

In numbers For more information…

… on English apples and the history the number of apples Britons of the industry visit www. 50bn munch through or cook up each year englishapplesandpears.co.uk

16 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE Animal rescue Feature

The crews keep the head still as they begin the rescue

Fire crews are shown how to use specialist hoists to right the stricken horse It’s up and away to safety after the careful rescue Large animal rescues are rising across the country so National Grid is playing its part Raising saddles in a crisis n innovative new technique to train firefighters in horses might find themselves in on grantors’ land. how to rescue large animals has won support from Debs Coxall, the college’s employment engagement A National Grid. manager for animal welfare and veterinary nursing, said: Crews will be better prepared to rescue large rural “One incident involved a horse crossing a wooden bridge, animals thanks to a pioneering sponsorship deal with a which gave way. The horse’s legs went through and its belly college in the Midlands, and a mannequin horse. was resting on the bridge itself.” National Grid has joined forces with Warwickshire Scenarios like that will be recreated with students College and three fire services to sponsor a life-size equine learning about horse equipment and equine behaviour. model to be used in training courses from next year. Fire crews have been stretched to the limit as the number Powerful of large animal rescues has soared during this year’s freak Debs said: “We will be showing the firefighters how to take Welsh Cob Cora is on the weather, with horses, deer, sheep, cows and bulls falling the tack and bridle off, how to rescue a rider if he or she is mend after her rescue foul of the boggy, swampy landscape. stuck and how to reassure the animal throughout. One rescue happened in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, “It’s crucial because horses are so powerful and if they’re where 24-year-old Welsh Cob Cora had fallen down a steep not handled correctly, people can be killed or seriously hill on grantor Jan Cole’s land. injured. This will help make the rescue as real as possible.” Jan, who runs Barcol Liveries, said: “It’s great that Around 30 Herefordshire and Worcestershire firefighters National Grid is supporting training aids like this because if will attend the courses each year, eventually offering you’re dealing with large animals, there’s always a risk.” cross-border assistance to colleagues in Warwickshire. Since 2009, the county service’s crews alone have Strength and stability handled 265 incidents, but this is the first opportunity The model horse’s steel frame, weighing in at 200kg, is they will have to practise on an designed for strength and stability, as well as to provide actual-size victim. Mark Frost, For more information… protruding axles on which the folding legs can pivot. Hereford and Worcester Fire The legs are lockable using pins that can be removed watch commander, said: “This … about the specialist animal management to recreate some of the most common situations link-up will definitely save lives.” courses visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 17 Feature Christmas is coming

Spruced up for Santa Next time you perch the angel on the tree, spare a thought for Kieran Jones and his aptly named Elveden helpers who brave freezing snow and aching arms to make it a Merry Christmas

he traditional festive image of a snow-coated Christmas Kieran and his team often tree surrounded by rosy-cheeked carol-singers is the working 90-hour weeks to meet Tend of a very long story – ask Kieran Jones. orders from around Britain. He’s in charge of the team that lovingly maintains the The 22,500-acre Elveden Estate 100,000 pines and spruces that end up in department store on the Norfolk border, a short foyers, city centre squares and our living rooms. sleigh ride from Norwich, is home And the picture postcard image doesn’t even begin to to 12 growing areas for trees in ascending sizes. convey the back-breaking work that goes into bringing each spruce to the market. Quest for the perfect tree “When it comes to felling, you’re working beneath the What began as a forestry diversification activity four canopy, and every movement brings a shower of freezing decades ago has developed into the number-one supplier of ice and snow down on you,” said forestry manager Kieran. corporate display trees to more than 200 local authorities. “By the end of the day your back aches, your arm is dead, The Estate includes St Paul’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, and you’re soaking wet and cold. It’s not the most pleasant Glasgow and Cardiff, and celebritychef Jamie Oliver among part of the job.” its regular clients. November and December are an inevitable frenzy, with The quest for the perfect tree sets Kieran and his team

18 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE In numbers 14 feet the height most trees are shaped to

200 “People don’t realise the amount of work the number of Elveden staff who work on the land, farm, shops and restaurants and time that goes into creating the perfect tree and making sure they reach

their full potential” This tiny tree could reach 5,000 60 feet in a few decades the number of retail trees sold to the public each year on top of the 900 wholesale time that goes into creating the perfect tree and making sure they reach their full potential. “Trees drink around a pint of water a day so they have to be constantly checked. If you ever pick up a light tree in a garden centre, put it back and walk away.”

The whole process Elveden, the fi rst producer to be UK Woodland Assurance The Standard certifi ed by the Soil Association, off ers a full trees service to customers needing trees over 20 foot tall, from harvesting, transportation and installation right through to Æ Norway illumination of trees up to 75 foot. Spruce – a short-needled Before the labour-intensive festive rush, Kieran and the tree capable guys start work at 5am to beat the summer heat as they The stamp of approval goes on of growing to all the best-quality trees once tend to their crop. 180 feet. they’re measured Colleague Wayne Howe said: “It’s hard work and Æ Scots Pine – a long-needled occasionally dangerous because of wasps and adders. tree, it normally I once put my foot down and there were adders basking survives for up everywhere. We got out of there quick. It gets very busy to 300 years, apart as they shear the tiny Norway Spruces, Nordman Firs in winter when we cut, net the trees, load them on to but recorded specimens in and Scots Pines from bulbs to guarantee their shape. articulated lorries and deliver them, before overseeing their Scandinavia “As the tree starts to grow, we trim it into a cone shape so installation. It’s nice to see the whole process through.” have reached it fi lls out and looks perfect when it gets to a few feet tall,” It’s a specialised operation, with an 80-foot tree needing 700 years. he said. a 40-tonne stand to meet stringent safety regulations in Æ Nordman Fir – a wider tree, Foot-high trees are planted with a constant computer- our major city centres. Kieran said: “You often hear people popular for its assessed water supply as Kieran and his eight-strong team saying that £25 is a lot for a tree that you’ll only have for a low needle drop. spray them to prevent potentially devastating aphid and month, but if they considered the work involved in getting Æ Sitka Spruce – red spider outbreaks, which can strip a tree in days. it there, they might think again.” grown only at the sister estate in The shearing continues annually until the tree reaches Northumberland. 14 feet and achieves a full body and perfect cone shape. It’s taller and From then on it’s left to grow and keeps its shape naturally. For more information… popular with The average tree then puts on around two feet every year corporate customers for and, with the giants of Elveden nudging 60ft, it’s very … on special Christmas its vandal-proof much a long-term business. events at Elveden qualities. Kieran said: “People don’t realise the amount of work and visit www.elveden.com

GRIDLINE WINTER 2012 19 Your chance to enter Lastword two great competitions

GEOFF’S PIC’S A SHIRE THING Photo WIN! Congratulations to Geoff Johnson competition from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire who won last issue’s photo competition. Geoff, who collects £150 in M&S vouchers, said: “It’s wonderful and so nice to win. I always enjoy reading Gridline so to win is just great.” JOHN LEWIS LET US KNOW YOUR STORY VOUCHERS Grab yourself a pre-holiday Strawberry farms, lavender bonus by winning £150 growers and even quad bike in John Lewis vouchers racers… we’ve had a range with the Gridline photo competition. of diverse grantors on these Variety is the spice of life pages this year. Now we and the department store want to hear from YOU. certainly provides that If you have diversifi ed or with scores of items to do something different on choose from, whether it’s your land, let us know and clothes or technology that we’ll share your success interest you. with 35,000 other grantors The great news is, if you – think of it as free PR! would rather save the Email Dawn. McCarroll@ vouchers for a new year treat, you can – vouchers nationalgrid.com are valid for 12 months. Call us on 01926 656325 If you’d like to scoop the prize, worth £150, then get your camera out and snap a winning shot for Gridline’s WIN! photograph competition. The theme for this issue’s competition is ‘Winter warmers’. A luxury gourmet getaway Send in your photo to Gridline Photo Competition, enjoy a sensational evening 23-25 Waterloo Place, meal as well as breakfast for two. Warwick Street, Leamington Spa CV32 5LA, or email it to To be in with a chance of [email protected]. winning this amazing prize, The competition closing simply answer the question date is 25 January 2013. below and send it to the address Only National Grid grantors are eligible to enter and, below. Good luck! regrettably, prints cannot How many acres does be returned. Charlecote Park near Q Stratford-upon-Avon cover? Send your answer to Gridline Gourmet Competition, Contact Gridline 23-25 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, Tel: 01926 656 325 Email: [email protected] A night of luxury with a gourmet Not only will the winner and Leamington Spa, www.nationalgrid.com meal thrown in could be yours their guest luxuriate in a deluxe Warwickshire CV32 5LA. if you win Gridline’s fantastic double room at one of 85 hotels You must be a grantor to enter. competition. around the UK, they will also Closing date is 25 January 2013.

20 WINTER 2012 GRIDLINE