Metabolic Age and the Estate Gym

Having just returned from the Estate gym (wrecked) having been beasted by Neil to row 3,000 metres, and beat my best time (I didn't), I was wondering if all this exercise everyone on the East Devon Estate is now taking was having an effect.  Neil has measured everyone's metabolic age when you signed up for the gym and you gave him your real ages - it would be good if those who use the gym could give Carla the OK for Neil to calculate how our collective training is impacting on our average metabolic age.  Obviously all data will be used anonymously and it will be an Estate average - it would be great to see if the investment in facilities, trainer and the time the Estate and individuals are giving is paying off...

I'd like to think that over a 12 month period we have reduced our "Corporate Metabolic Age" by a few years!

Neil is also after testimonials for his business, so if you feel that he is doing a good job let Carla have some words of praise she can pass on.  I am too tired to write anything else but will do a testimonial later when I have forgiven him...

Impressive Results

At our Departmental Review Meeting on Tuesday, on the Heanton Estate, each Estate team gave an update on performance. It was really pleasing to listen to so much positive reporting on successful outcomes across our complex countryside business. In every aspect of our work at Clinton Devon Estates we are performing to a very high standard. Well done to everyone - when you consider the challenges we are facing with the UK economy, high levels of taxation and volatile markets the results that we are delivering are quite remarkable.

Thanks to Paul Hipkin for a most fascinating tour of the gardens at Heanton and the interesting briefing on the development of the gardens and the Gilpin parkland.

It has been agreed that we will undertake our regular employee satisfaction survey again later in 2011. On the last two ocassions we have done this, in 2008 and 2010, we have used the "Best Companies" survey, aligned with the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies ranking and benchmarks. Hopefully the feedback on areas for improving employee engagement identified in the last survey has been acted upon and we will see this reflected in the responses. Please ensure that your teams are following up on any outstanding actions. Graham Vanstone will be in touch in the late Summer / early Autumn with details of this year's survey.

Tregothnan Estate visit Rolle Estate Office

On Friday the Tregothnan Estate visited us. In the morning they held their Board Meeting in the Rolle Board Room and then Lord Clinton, Leigh and myself joined them for a working lunch and afternoon meeting. Tregothnan Estates were interested in our public engagement strategy and our plans for the future - to be honest we learnt as much from them! In 2001 they launched Tregothnan Tea grown in the garden to the main house. It is now an international success story. It's a premium quality brand and next time you are in Fortnum and Masons you can pick some up! A really interesting story of a family business diversifying into a totally new product area. At Clinton Devon we are focussing on our core businesses of property and land management. However the Tregothnan story highlights that we should always be on the look out about how we can add value in unique and profitable ways. Tregothnan tea all started from an idea by the manager of the gardens.

Over the next 10 year strategy period to 2021 I am keen that everyone on the Estate has an opportunity to bring forward ideas for adding value, reducing cost and generating new business. We can discuss some of this at next week's Departmental Review Meeting in North Devon, which, coincidently, involves a tour of the garden at Heanton Satchville. Be on the look out for Camilias, a variety of which produces Tregothnan Tea!!!

Budleigh Salterton Golf Course

Today Lord Clinton, Charles, Leigh and myself visited Budleigh Salterton Golf Course to see the completed course realignment works. A remarkable project and a superb result. The works had been undertaken to enable the South West Coast Path to be re-routed further inland to avoid the eroding cliff edge. The Club negotiated with East Devon Distrct Council, Devon County Council and Natural England in a very positive manner to help the Local Authority move the path onto the edge of the golf course and have incurred significant costs as a result in realigning the course. No compensation has been paid to the Club or Estate. Users of the path will soon no longer take their life into their hands as they walk along the cliff path.

The Golf Club was built by Hon Mark Rolle in 1901. Lord Clinton is President and although formally tenants the Club has a very special relationship with the Estate. It was a pleasure to see the course on such a lovely day and the work that has just been undertaken to help preserve it for future generations. Without doubt one of the finest settings for a golf course in Europe.

Farm Strategy - Partners Meeting

Today we held a full day session discussing the proposed strategy for Clinton Farms 2011 to 2021. Family and Trustees of General Fund were present. The day was facilitated by Duncan Rawson of European Food and Farming Partnerships. An extensive session which looked at every aspect of external impacts on the farm, the fit with the overall Estate strategy and the wishes of the partners. Much recognition was given to the tremendous team at Clinton Farms led by George who have turned the farm around over the past 13 years. We have a solid platform from which to launch our 10 year strategy. The output from the meeting is being prepared and will be presented to the wider Estate and discussed in detail with everyone at Clinton Farms in due course. In a nutshell there was a continued commitment to invest in the dairy business whilst continuing with a mixed farming system to provide flexibility and adaptability. We will investigate a wide range of renewable initiatives and, over time, look to experiment in emerging and related opportunities such as working with partners on organic vegetable production and new crops. Fossil fuel reduction will be a focus over the period along with water management and storage. A strong focus on reducing unit costs of production, enhancing environmental outcomes, engaging with the public and where practical helping to support educational initiatives. An important aspect discussed was encouraging employee engagement in turning the strategy into reality. Overall a very stimulating session. Farm Partners commented on the very professional briefing papers prepared by George, Peter and Andrew - well done!

Estate DVD

The DVD we had produced on the Estate a few years ago is looking rather tired. KOR are in the process of producing a new one for the summer. In a few weeks their camera man will be around the Estate filming people and places and may well ask a number of you to say a few words... If you get asked please take part! We can't include everyone or every clip taken but we will include some. It is important that it includes real employees saying what they feel so don't be shy.

Express and Echo Awards and Tradewind

Sadly we didn't win the category we were shortlisted for in the Express and Echo Business Awards last night... We had been nominated for the environmental award but I was pleased to see my friend Patrick McCaig of Otter Breweries walk off as the winner. They have done some amazing things in terms of waste management and carbon reduction over the past few years and I think we should arrange a visit to find out more - I'll get onto it!!!

Took a call from Nick at Tradewind Turbines - plans for the deployment of the second prototype turbine at an MOD base in Cyprus during June are well underway. A lot of interest from investors in the world of aerospace and military engineering as well as other rural estates. Exciting times for this very innovative business. We plan to run a feature on Tradewind in our 2011 Countryside Matters Review due out in early July. Look out for it!

Fly tipping and vandalism

Sadly the new policy by Devon CC to charge residential customers to take certain waste to the recycling centre appears to be already having an impact on the landscape.  The Estate in the past week has seen a 300% increase in fly tipping on farm land and more worryingly the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SSSI.  We have written to the CEO of Devon CC and will be gathering evidence of the increase of fly tipping over the coming weeks.  We intend to lobby Devon CC to reverse this policy in due course.  In the meantime we will robustly deal with anyone found fly tipping on Estate land - cameras are being installed and we will seek to prosecute.  Where we find that the responsibility for removal rests with others (including the Local Authority) we will ensure that they take their responsibilities seriously.  In the past, with lower volumes of activity, we have been more "generous" in dealing with this issue - in future we cannot afford to let others off the hook!  Clare is taking a lead with this issue, supported by George and John W.

Yesterday we heard of yet another act of vandalism on the China Tower.  We are gathering evidence and will seek to identify and prosecute those responsible.  It really is mindless vandalism of a very historic and important building...

Phytophthora ramorum

John Wilding, Head of Forestry and Environment has returned from a visit to Penrith to support a seminar for woodland owners in the north of England on the impacts we are seeing from Phytophthora ramorum (PR) on Japanese Larch in the SW.  Our experience is that if you catch it early and take immediate action the downside can be reduced.  Equally if you don't catch it the downside is a nightmare (eg Plym Woods) for the landscape, timber values and the local community.  John's practical input was much appreciated.  Today we received a letter from Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State, in response to a letter the Estate wrote suggesting actions that needed to be taken to reduce the impacts of PR.  It was pleasing to note the appreciation from both Defra and the Forestry Commission of the Estate's actions to date regarding PR and also the fact that PR is being taken very seriously by Defra, FC, Forest Research and the Food and Environment Research Agency.  Across the Estate we must not be complacent - hopefully everyone is now briefed on PR through team meetings, however, if anyone wants more information please let John know.

Farm Strategy to 2021

Useful morning with Clinton Devon Farm team considering 10 year strategy paper for formal review on 18th. A lot of things to consider - the next 10 years could be a roller coaster of uncertainty with competing pressures on land and finance. Dairy is definitely going to be our focus but risks need to be managed. George Perrot and Peter Baughan left for lunch with Richard Benyon Defra Minister to discuss Catchment Sensitive Farming... After everything the Farm team have done to comply with NVZ Regs and our organic conversion programme I hope some very positive messages are received on Clinton Farms' exemplary stewardship of the Lower Otter Valley...

Laid up

I have not felt so ill in years - some kind of flu ("man-flu"?). Was going down hill all last week but in bed most of Friday and today (Saturday). Lots to do on Sunday - Mothers Day - and back to work on Monday so need to get better ASAP. Must be the low fat diet, exercise and lack of alcohol over past few weeks which has weakened my system...

Fresh Start Seminar

Enjoyed participating at Joint RASE / Fresh Start seminar in London on 30th March on how to encourage new entrants to farming... Tried to put over a view that a totally new approach was needed. Not everyone agreed but at least the industry is discussing it!