News

As a society we are all too aware of our rapidly changing climate and the need to reduce carbon emissions - such issues have been brought to the forefront of everyone’s minds following this month’s COP26 summit in Glasgow. One of the ways in which we are evidencing our commitment to this, is through the use of a biomass boiler at Hadlow Place Farm, which is supplied by wood and woodchip produced in our forestry operations.

This year has been equally successful, peaking on 23rd April with the highest energy production in any 24-hour period so far in 2021- 130.9MWh was produced, supplying around 13,090 homes or 4,188,800 kettles boiled.

Just over a century ago, communities across the country – and indeed the world – were mourning their dead after the horror of the 1914-1918 Great War and considering how they could best be commemorated.

The ancient practice of coppicing is regularly carried out in woodland on the Estate, providing a sustainable timber source as well as creating a diverse range of habitats. It’s also now helping children at a local special school, which was in need of a little help with its new sensory garden project.

We recently welcomed reporter Jo Burn from BBC Radio Kent, who joined us for what is always an exciting day on the Estate. As part of our ongoing barn owl box project, Mark Pritchard from the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership visited us to check on our boxes.

As part of a long standing relationship with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, new barn owl boxes have been put up in carefully selected locations around the Estate. It’s hoped the birds will use them to lay eggs and raise their young.

In Five Oak Green, the Memorial Cottages built after the Great War of 1914-18 once again proudly display wreathes of poppies in honour of the men of the parish who died in both world wars.

After a career spanning five decades and mirroring that of his late grandfather, Hadlow Estate Foreman Mick Cheesman is hanging up his tools for the final time.

The Hadlow Estate has pieced together, from a variety of sources, including local historian Robin Hollamby, details of the day a German Messerschmitt was downed on its land near Tudeley and would be interested to hear from anyone who has any further information.