In the Press

Lower Blakemere Farm wins the Hereford Times Farmer Award

Hereford Times Community Awards · 7 October 2026

Our family farming partnership, A R Gorringe and Partners, was named the winner of the Farmer Award at the 2026 Hereford Times Community Awards.

It was a lovely surprise, made all the more special by the people who nominated us: the fabulous teachers and team at the Harvest Project, the outdoor education provision based here at Lower Blakemere Farm.

The project gives young people opportunities to learn through practical outdoor activities, including working with animals and experiencing life on a working farm. Its teachers and team see the place on ordinary days, in all weathers, so their nomination means a great deal to us.

As Duchy of Cornwall tenant farmers and one of the Duchy’s Focus Farms, we’re working to improve soil health, encourage wildlife and build a resilient future for the farm. Being a Focus Farm means trying out regenerative approaches and sharing our experiences with other farmers, including the things that work and the challenges we’re still tackling.

It was lovely to celebrate alongside the other finalists and winners, and to catch up with Rachel from the Duchy and Sam Stables of We Are Farming Minds—a fellow Duchy tenant and one of last year’s winners. The evening also included a Duchy-sponsored award recognising mental health support in Herefordshire.

Thank you to the Harvest Project team, the Hereford Times, the judges and The Beefy Boys, who sponsored our category—and to everyone whose work contributes to life here at Lower Blakemere.

There are a lot of people behind one name on an award.