Congratulations to CG member, Mark Tufnell, who has achieved 1st place in the Conservation Class of the Gloucestershire Root, Fruit & Grain Society competition. Mark farms 1800 acres in the Cotswolds AONB and is passionate about conservation. The Judges were impressed by the extra mile that Mark has gone to look after the wildlife on the farm, alongside running an efficient and professional arable enterprise, noting that Mark has long been a champion of the Grey Partridge, chairing the GWCTs Cotswold Grey Partridge Group for a number of years. By creating year-round habitat such as nesting sites and insect-rich areas for chicks, utilising ELS, HLS and Conservation Grade habitats, Mark has managed to substantially increase the Grey Partridge population on the Estate. 

The Judges also picked up on Mark’s involvement with wider land management policy, through various groups such as the District Council, Country Landowners Association, Cotswold ANOB, etc.

The Gloucestershire Root, Fruit & Grain Society was formed in 1863 when two farmers visiting Gloucester market came to blows over who could grow the best crops. A peacemaker suggested that examples of the crops should be brought to Gloucester where an independent judge would pronounce the winner. Interest was such that it became an annual event with more and more classes being added over the years.