News

Lapwing © David Patrick

Bowland Farmers Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Conservation and Environmental Improvements

24th July 2025

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Tye Trophy Competition, at an esteemed event that highlights farms in the North of England and recognises their contributions to conservation and environmental improvements. The winners were revealed at the Great Yorkshire Show on 9th July.

Tye Award Winners

The Tye Trophy Competition, culminating in the prestigious Silver Lapwing Award, highlights the integration of wildlife conservation and environmental management within commercial farming operations. This year, the competition featured outstanding entries from seven regions: Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, South and West Yorkshire, Tyne Tees and Northumberland.

Overall Winners of the Tye Trophy for the North of England: Bowland farmers Colin and Alan Price of Long Bank Farm, Keasden, were named the overall winners. The award acknowledged their significant management of 50 acres of meadows under an Organic Higher Level Stewardship agreement, benefiting breeding curlews and lapwings. Colin commented, "For years, we've worked closely with the RSPB on breeding wader management and surveys – it's something we're really passionate about. Winning this award is a huge honour and highlights the importance of conservation and sustainable farming, which are central to our farming approach."

Lancashire Area Winners: Sarah and Graham Whitwell of Carter Fold Farm, Waddington, were recognised for their extensive environmental improvements through agri-environment agreements and collaborations. Their projects include tree and hedgerow planting, birdbox schemes, and a swift box initiative, all while balancing farm viability with conservation efforts.  Sarah said, "It was an honour to attend the awards ceremony at the Great Yorkshire Show last week to receive our award alongside the other shortlisted farmers.  We all farm in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and it’s nice to be recognised for the hard work and graft that we put in to make Bowland such a special place."

Lancashire Finalists: Andrew and Stephen Taylor of Botton Head Farm, Tatham, have been in agri-environment agreements for over 25 years, currently in a Higher Tier agreement. They were recognised for their sustainable farming practices, including peatland and hedgerow restoration, as well as management for breeding waders and moorland.

Tarja Wilson, Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme Lead Officer for the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, who has supported these farmers, said:  "The Tye Trophy Awards are a vital recognition of the dedication and innovation within the farming community. They highlight the exceptional efforts of farmers who balance productive agriculture with environmental stewardship, highlighting the best practices that ensure the sustainability and resilience of our rural landscapes. It was fantastic to see many Bowland farmers recognised for their efforts." She adds, "By showcasing successful sustainable farming practices, the awards can inspire other farmers to adopt similar approaches.  We wish the Price family all the very best as they progress to the national Silver Lapwing Awards."

For more information about the Tye Trophy Competition and to view the winning entries, please visit www.typetrophycompetition.com

Best of Bowland Photographs

23rd July 2025

Biking the Trough by Mike ColeranAs the current Forest of Bowland Management Plan is being updated, we'd love you to send us a photograph showing what makes Bowland special for you - the people who live in, work in and visit this unique place.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management Plan sets out why this beautiful area is so important, and what we can all do to conserve and enhance its natural beauty and special qualities now, and in the future.

Short eared owl by Tom WilsonWe're inviting people to upload a photograph which captures the essence of Bowland for them, whether that's landscape, nature, heritage or community. And if you can add a few words along with your image, that would be great! 

You can either pop out with your camera and take a photo especially, or just send us one you already have.

And as a thank you for taking part, we'll enter your name into a draw, giving you the chance to win a great prize!

Prizes for the draw have been kindly donated by members of the Forest of Bowland Sustainable Tourism Business Network and the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership, and include:

Closing date for submissions is Monday 15th September 2025.

Hidden Church by Ste AdairFor more details (including Terms & Conditions), and to upload your photograph , please click here.

We can't wait to see what makes the Forest of Bowland National Landscape special for you.

An exciting and ambitious new art project will officially launch in Dunsop Bridge on Saturday 2 August.

22nd July 2025

Are You Lost?, created by artist Rob St John, is part of a national initiative called Nature Calling, and seeks to understand how communities connect with the natural world around them. It aims to open up conversations about access to wild spaces and celebrate our place and responsibility in these environments.

Nature Calling image by Jack Bolton

The project, which has been running for the last ten months, is commissioned by the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, and is produced by Lancaster Arts.

Are You Lost? will culminate in a series of sound, film and textile art installations, created with the people of Bowland, exploring the voices, textures and sights of the landscape. It first opened to the public in Nelson last month as part of the Pendle Festival of Culture.

The project is now set to officially launch in Dunsop Bridge across the weekend of 2-3 August, before the finale in the heart of Gisburn Forest on 30-31 August.

Jinny’s Barn in Dunsop Bridge, a short walk from Puddleducks Tearooms, is on land owned by the Duchy of Lancaster who have supported the project, saying:

“The Duchy of Lancaster is proud to support this inspiring event in the Forest of Bowland, celebrating creativity, community, and connection to nature.”

Are You Lost? has emerged through creative workshops, walks, talks and activities with communities in and around Bowland and in particular with children and young people. Artist Rob St John recently appeared on BBC Countryfile alongside young people who have taken part in the project.

The artwork combines archival footage from the historic floods of 1967 in Dunsop Valley with recent film portraying contributors’ personal memories and feelings about Bowland. The soundscape includes sounds gathered through workshops with young people in Nelson and Burnley, alongside songs, choral improvisations and field recordings of the landscape. The textile pieces are created by Lancashire textile artist Kate O’Farrell and draw upon the history of the area, from the cotton mills of east Lancashire, to the textile traditions of Gujarat, where many of the local communities have roots.

Nature Calling image by Jack Bolton

Speaking about the project, artist Rob St John said:

“The Forest of Bowland is a rich and special place. ‘Are You Lost?’ has given me the opportunity to work with communities on the fringes of Bowland to listen to and amplify their unheard voices and perspectives on the landscape. I want to foster connections across communities and landscapes between the fringes and the centre of Bowland. Hopefully, this can help prompt the answer to the question ‘Are You Lost?’ with the answer ‘no, I belong here too’.”

Lancaster Arts Director Jocelyn Cunningham said:

“Lancaster Arts is proud to have been chosen as one of the producers for Nature Calling and we are excited by the work that Rob has created with communities in the area. It is a spectacular landscape with a rich heritage and remarkable local stories, and what better place to situate it than in a barn in Dunsop Bridge, the gateway to the Trough of Bowland. We hope this work will be familiar to those who know it well and a way in for those who have never been.”

Alongside the installation, Are You Lost? features a range of artist workshops, conversations and guided walks, open to all, to create a mini festival atmosphere and will have something for people of all ages.

In addition, composer Julian Evans, will lead a series of singing workshops and rehearsals as he gathers a new choral group, The Stonechats, who will work on an original piece of music to be performed in Gisburn Forest on 31 August as the finale to Are You Lost?

To find out more about Are You Lost? visit lancasterarts.org, where you can also listen to the Are You Lost? Podcast series to better understand the project. All the activities are free but booking is preferred. Find out more about Nature Calling and the other locations around the country that are taking part at naturecalling.org.uk.

Those wanting to get involved in the project are encouraged to get in touch about volunteering opportunities by emailing meg@lancasterarts.org.

Nature Calling is a national programme of cultural activity with executive producers the National Landscapes Association and Activate Performing Arts, funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Are You Lost? Will be open to the public in Dunsop Bridge from 11.30am to 4pm Saturday 2 August and 11am-4pm on Sunday 3 August.

Follow this link for further details.

"Best of Bowland" Photographs

16th July 2025

The current Forest of Bowland Management Plan is being updated, so we'd love you to send us a photograph showing what makes Bowland special for you - the people who live in, work in and visit this unique place.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management Plan sets out why this beautiful area is so important, and what we can all do to conserve and enhance its natural beauty and special qualities now, and in the future.

We're inviting people to upload a photograph which captures the essence of Bowland for them, whether that's landscape, nature, heritage or community. And if you can add a few words along with your image, that would be great! 

You can either pop out with your camera and take a photo especially, or just send us one you already have.

And as a thank you for taking part, we'll enter your name into a draw, giving you the chance to win a great prize!

Closing date for submissions is Monday 15th September 2025.

For more details (including Terms & Conditions), and to upload your photograph , please click here.

We can't wait to see what makes the Forest of Bowland National Landscape special for you.

Thank you!

Forest of Bowland Launches New Initiative to Spotlight Champion Species

8th July 2025

Champion Species Badge Collection - artwork by Salt Marsh StudiosThe Forest of Bowland National Landscape is proud to announce the launch of its latest initiative, aimed at raising awareness and supporting the conservation of 14 'Champion Species' within the area. This initiative is part of a broader Nature Recovery Plan, which seeks to restore and enhance the diverse habitats of Bowland.

At the heart of this initiative are fourteen species that are rare, threatened and of significant conservation concern. The Champion Species include curlew, hen harrier, black grouse, swift, pied flycatcher, juniper, globeflower, hard-fern, ballerina waxcap, brown long-eared bat, brown trout, yellow may dun, bilberry bumblebee and green hairstreak butterfly.

To support this initiative, The Forest of Bowland National Landscape team have launched a series of fourteen beautifully illustrated pin badges created by Salt Marsh Studio. These limited-edition badges are made from recycled metals and are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Champion Bowland’s small grants fund.

Tony Lund, Partnership Manager for the Forest of Bowland National Landscape said: "National Landscapes are at the forefront of addressing the biodiversity crisis. Our Nature Recovery Plans set ambitious targets for restoring nature, which will be integrated into our Management Plan, launching in 2026. This initiative is part of a broader effort to raise awareness and engage the public in learning about these vital species."

He adds: " I hope that people will purchase the badges because they are beautiful pieces of art in their own right. Also I think they will be a great talking point, and will encourage people to find out more about the species pictured on the badges".

Dr. Selina Ellis-Gray, creator of the badge artwork, expressed her enthusiasm for the Champion Species initiative, highlighting the importance of understanding the beauty and resilience of these rare and endangered species. She said:

“It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this incredible Champion Species initiative with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. Designing these 14 collectible badges and ensuring they were made here in the UK using sustainable materials, truly reflects the passion and attention to detail behind this project. It’s a testament to the commitment of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team to not only raise awareness but to make a tangible positive impact. Each badge collected serves as a talking point, fostering curiosity about these vital species while directly contributing to Champion Bowland’s small grants fund. I believe the designs, with their blend of the area’s rich heritage and a modern artistic twist, will resonate with people and inspire them to connect further with Bowland’s incredible biodiversity.”

The on-line shop selling the badges will be launched later this month, but in the meantime visit www.forestofbowland.com/champion-species to preview the collection. Pre-orders can also be placed.

Older news