Archive of: 2019

• Two more Mulgrave moorlands benefit from restoration work

  

  27 December 2019

  Extensive grazing on two more of Mulgrave Estate’s heather moorlands is already showing beneficial signs in terms of moorland habitat recovery. The heather moorlands were struggling to compete with gorse and purple moor grass which over time will smother the moorland if not controlled. Working with Natural England, the governments conservation advisors, and local grazing tenants that have suitably sourced livestock, Mulgrave Estate are beginning to turn the tide on their heather moorland habitat decline.

• High Leas hedge planting phase 2

  

  06 December 2019

  Pupils from Lythe School joined Mulgrave Estate staff for a further hedge planting session on Friday afternoon. The dedicated Lythe school hedge is now complete – all 118 metres of it. A mixture of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Holly and Crab Apple were planted at 7 plants per metre. Rabbit spirals and canes were added to protect the hedge until it is fully established.

  Thanks again to Mr Stansfield, staff and all the children from the school – you all did a marvellous job and we all look forward to seeing it growing in the spring.

• Christmas Card Competition

  

  04 December 2019

  Mulgrave Estate would like to say a special thank you to all of the children at Lythe CEVC Primary School for their fantastic entries in our Christmas card competition. All of the pictures were amazing making the judges decision even more difficult to select a winner. Two winners were chosen in joint first place. Lily Owen aged 11 with her beautiful water colour design of the castle and the grounds in winter. In joint first place Ethan Arnold aged 8 impressed the judges with his imaginative snow globe design. A special prize was also awarded to Isaac Arnold aged 5 for his detailed painting of a Red Fallow Deer.

• Local school assists Estate during National Tree Week

  

  29 November 2019

  25 children from the local primary school in Lythe assisted Mulgrave Estate staff to plant 800 hedge plants as part of National Tree Week. The new hedge is part of our Countryside Stewardship hedge and tree planting commitments over this winter. After the recent heavy rain the soil was easy to dig but it made conditions rather muddy ! I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and did a great job. Many thanks to Mr Stansfield and staff, we look forward to planting some more in the new year.

• Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Parish Church, Whitby

  

  28 November 2019

  The Mulgrave Estate are delighted to be taking part in 2019 Christmas Tree Exhibition at St Mary’s Parish Church, Whitby. Every year St Mary’s Church in Whitby is decorated with wonderful Christmas trees provided by local community groups, schools, charities, individuals and the local business community, the detail and time people have put into them is spectacular and touching. Not to be missed ! Sunday 1 December (commencing at 3 pm with an advent carol service) to Sunday 5 January, 10 am – 3 pm.

• Mulgrave farmer wins national Excellence in Farming award

  

  27 November 2019

  A farmer on the Mulgrave Estate has won a national industry award for his attention to detail in grass management.

  Jonathan Hutchinson has been named as a winner in the For Farmers Excellence in Farming Awards. The annual awards ceremony, now in its fourth year, aims to recognise and reward farmers. It looks at three awards categories: Dairy Feed Efficiency Award, Forage Manager of the Year and Young stock Producer of the Year.

• Congratulations and Goodluck to our finalists of the Semex Healthy Herd Competition

  

  21 November 2019

  The Estate is delighted to hear that one of our farming tenants, Colin & Chris Foster of Shortwaite Farm, are one of three finalists of the Semex Healthy Herd Competition. Fingers crossed for the results to be announced at the 30th Semex Dairy Conference, 12-14 January in Glasgow.

• Improving access in Sandsend Valley

  

  15 November 2019

  Work has been recently completed to address the problem with the access route to Teapot Hill in Sandsend Valley. New steps, surfacing and hand rails have been installed by Mulgrave Estate enabling easier access to the residential properties in the Valley. The route now has cleaner, safer surfacing which will benefit both Estate properties and private residents at Teapot Hill. The surface is made from aggregate and resin gel and the timber steps are from sustainable sources. 

• Moorland re wetting at Westonby

  

  05 November 2019

  Retaining water in the higher ground is a recognised method of reducing flash flooding to properties lower down the slopes. Mulgrave Estate are putting this theory to the test at Westonby moor, near Lealholm. Under the heather on Westonby moor lies a network of shallow drains and channels that allow water to escape and flow down to Stonegate Beck below Shortwaite and into the River Esk shortly afterwards. Our Countryside Stewardship agreement promotes blocking of the drains (grip blocking) on the moor leading to quality wet moor / heath habitat resulting in biodiversity gain. The wet heathland is home to a number of mosses, mire and bog species that are valuable to the ecological matrix of the moorland here. Wet bog and heath also stores carbon which is lost from the soil when it reverts to drier conditions or is drained. By soaking the moor all year round, any carbon is stored in the soils and contributes in its’ own way to the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere.

  Our contractors have been busy blocking the drains recently and as a result have created pools and prevented the moor emptying of water. By using a light machine on rubber tracks to do the work any damage to the moorland has been kept to the absolute minimum.

• Indulge in comfort this Christmas with our exclusive range of luxury holiday cottages.

  

  04 November 2019

  Make your Christmas Magical. For a perfect festive getaway, enjoy your Christmas celebrations in one of our luxury cottages nestled in the heart of the idyllic, Valley Sandsend. Whether a romantic break or large family get together indulge in comfort this Christmas.