Wiltshire self catering cabin, sleeps 6, England
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The Sheppard family have improved the natural environment at Poulton Farm Estate over the last 16 years by: Planting over 6km of hedgerows, adding in stewardship strips of 6m around most field margins, farmed in an extensive and traditional manner to encourage greater soil fertility and bio-diversity. We have put up owl boxes and seen several barn owls hatching young. The grassland put in for the sheep has encouraged the lapwings back - over 100 in a flock last year. The shoot has encouraged control of predators so more ground nesting birds are surviving - skylarks and yellow hammers in particular. We even saw a stoat and a hedge hog this year!
We recycle everything possible, including scrap food to the chickens! Guests are encouraged to separate their waste into recyclables and non recyclables by using separate rubbish boxes. We then dispose of this to the local recycling centre in Marlborough.
We use our own water from the underlying chalk aquifer on the farm and have onsite bio digesters which filters all the waste water which then runs off into the ground and gets back into the aquifer eventually - so a huge recycling of the water goes on here. We also use Hippos where possible and rain showers rather than power showers to conserve water useage.
We have gradually put in all low energy bulbs and are now in the process of putting in photovoltaic cells on the roof to generate some renewable electricity.
Poulton Lodge is constructed from wood from a sustainable source and was built using local craftsmen - plus James and his Dad. It is extremely well insulated and made to last 100 years. It has settled into the landscape and the barn owls use it as a roost and look out post at night and we also have about 8 swallows’ nests each year. The guests love to watch the birds from inside.
Community
When we built the Lodge we used local craftsmen to do it. We have also used our neighbour to make all the blinds for the Lodge. In high season we also use a local lady to help clean and iron for the guests. The information folder gives recommendations for all the local pubs and restaurants and local attractions to help sustain the local economy and keep the tourist pound in the local pocket.
Campaigning for the local community. James stood for local district councillor as an Independent at the last local elections, as he was keen to try to address local issues facing those who live and work in the countryside. Sorry to say he was not elected. He is also Vice chairman of Marlborough NFU and regularly attends meetings and seminars to do with the local environment.
We support the charity Cystic Fibrosis Research and also Aldbourne Brass Band. There are local people with CF and local people who play in the Band. We support both charities by giving away stays at the Lodge and offering experiences such as 'Lambing Live' and 'Ride on the combine with farmhouse tea'. This year we have raised over £3,000 for these charities.
We encourage all our visitors to experience the local ancient sites and to do so with guides and local people. For example- the Dowsing experience at Avebury stone circle with Maria Wheatley, and visiting the Crop Circles with Oliver Morrell and Gary King.
Landscape
We often have visitors who want to experience life on the farm and have had guests specifically come to learn how to lamb and how to calve. These have been very rewarding - and the guests come back time and again. We have to be careful that there are no pregnant ladies in attendance as sheep can carry toxoplasmosis which is bad for unborn babies. We have had a journalist stay from Woking Gazette to experience and write about a weekend on the farm which helped spread a greater understanding of this. We are mentioned for the experiences on trip advisor with very positive feedback. We also try to get out and about ourselves so that we can inform guests from a better view point. Last year the family went to Marlborough College Summer School with some guests that was brilliant fun. We will do it again!
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