Autumn 2025 Newsletter

^{Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter}

As the colours change across Courteenhall and Gawdy Hall, the past few months have been filled with progress, collaboration, and celebration. From hosting national farming events to supporting local education and community initiatives, we continue to build on our commitment to sustainability, heritage, and innovation.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this busy and rewarding quarter:

^{Northamptonshire schools cross country returns}

We were delighted once again to host the Northamptonshire Sport cross country event on the parkland at Couteenhall Estate.

Now a firm favourite in the county’s sporting calendar, this year’s event saw over 850 young runners from local schools take to the fields in a true celebration of teamwork, healthy competition, and outdoor activity.

Our thanks go to David Hanson, Northamptonshire Sport, Wilson Browne Solicitors, and the many volunteers who make this fantastic community day possible

‍^{Supporting Ride High through charity clay shoot}

A charity clay shoot, held at Courteenhall Estate, has raised vital funds for Ride High , the Milton Keynes-based charity that supports more than 300 vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people every year, to ride and care for horses alongside classroom learning and work experience. This nature-based, experiential approach helps build confidence, life skills, and pathways to brighter futures.

Sponsored by AF (The AF Group), Syntner B M W Northampton, and NFU Mutual Bedfordshire, the event was the first of its kind for the charity and attracted 72 participants. Alongside an 18-team shoot, guests enjoyed a live auction featuring 20 donated items. The funds raised will enable at least 14 children from Ride High’s waiting list to join the programme in the new year.

“The funds raised will have a life-changing impact for the children who join Ride High,” said Olivia Sugdon, Chief Executive of the charity. “We’re enormously grateful to everyone who made this day possible.”

Courteenhall has a proud history of supporting local educational programmes and charities, including the New Leaf Learning Programme, which helps bridge the urban–rural divide by giving children the chance to engage with farming and the natural environment.

^‍‍^{Education and nature-based learning}

Our partnership with New Leaf Learning continues to inspire children across Northamptonshire. This academic year, we’re proud to sponsor a group of children from Roade Primary and Woodland View to take part in the programme — giving more pupils the opportunity to learn through nature and experience the connection between food, farming, and the environment first-hand.

The programme’s immersive outdoor learning builds confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing — values that are at the heart of Courteenhall’s mission to share the power of nature in education.

Congratulations to Alex Preston, Co-Founder and Lead Teacher at New Leaf Learning for recently being announced as a Finalist in the Northamptonshire Education Awards - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award for 2025 – we wish her all the best on the Awards night later this month.

^{Farming update}

It’s been a demanding but rewarding season for our arable and livestock teams.

Harvest is now complete at Courteenhall and Gawdy Hall. Despite challenging weather that reduced yields across the country, our crops performed well. Cover and catch crops* have been planted across available fields to protect and enrich the soil over winter.

^{*Catch crops are fast-growing plants sown between main cropping seasons which prevent soil erosion, absorb leftover nutrients before they’re washed away, and improve soil structure. Together with cover crops, they also support biodiversity and provide valuable habitat for wildlife.}

It’s been another season of national recognition for Courteenhall Farms:

• Finalist – Regenerative Farmer of Year 2025 British Farming Awards
• Finalist – Nature Friendly Award, Schöffel Country Countryside Awards

These acknowledgements highlight the dedication, innovation, and environmental leadership shown by everyone across the estate.

^{The Ethical Butcher x Courteenhall partnership}

Our collaboration with The Ethical Butcher | B Corp continues to grow. We were thrilled to see beef from our Traditional Hereford cattle featured in their FarmBox #3 earlier this season.

We’re delighted to work with a partner who shares our values. Our collaboration with The Ethical Butcher highlights how farming with nature can produce food that’s good for people, animals, and the planet.

That opportunity has sold out now but stay tuned for further collaborations at The Ethical Butcher.

^{Woodland creation, biodiversity and rewilding update}

We’re delighted to have secured Forestry Commission approval for 6.9 hectares of new woodland under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). These plantings will strengthen wildlife corridors and enhance carbon capture.

Our Grounds team has also supported the rewilding of Old Blisworth Cemetery for the parish council — creating wildflower meadows and pollinator habitats, transforming the area into a haven for nature and the local community.

These projects reflect our belief that stewardship means protecting both the natural and cultural heritage that make our landscapes unique. From historic architecture to living landscapes, we’re proud to safeguard Courteenhall’s past as we invest in its sustainable future.

These projects reflect our belief that stewardship means protecting both the natural and cultural heritage that make our landscapes unique. From historic architecture to living landscapes, we’re proud to safeguard Courteenhall’s past as we invest in its sustainable future. These projects reflect our belief that stewardship means protecting both the natural and cultural heritage that make our landscapes unique. From historic architecture to living landscapes, we’re proud to safeguard Courteenhall’s past as we invest in its sustainable future.Our continued thanks also to Tony Betts for capturing so many beautiful images across the estate and throughout the seasons, such as the image above, many of which are used across our social media, website and newsletters.

^{Birdsong data}

At our Gawdy Estate bioacoustics monitoring devices have been deployed with Chirrup recording birdsong data to track species diversity — providing valuable insights into the wildlife thriving under regenerative management.

^‍‍^{Latest news from The Knot}

Plans for The Knot, our forthcoming farm shop and café, continue to progress.

The Knot will celebrate local food, sustainable producers, and community connection — bringing together Courteenhall-grown produce and Northamptonshire’s best independent suppliers under one roof.    

Victoria Holton, founder of The Jam Queen, a Northamptonshire-based producer of luxury, small-batch preserves, has already started picking fruit from our walled garden to turn into produce for the forthcoming farm shop.

We are still on the hunt for more great producers, so please do get in touch at buying@courteenhall.co.uk if you have a product you would like us to consider stocking

^{Blending innovation and heritage}

We’re excited to soon be unveiling our new Courteenhall website later this month, featuring a contemporary design, stunning imagery, and beautiful illustrations celebrating life across the estate.

As part of the project, we’ve rediscovered the beautiful work of Joan Wake (1884–1974) — the historian and campaigner who saved Delapré Abbey and founded the Northamptonshire Record Society in 1920. All the illustrations on the new site were drawn by Joan, offering a lasting reminder of her dedication to community and heritage, and connecting Courteenhall’s future vision with its historic roots.

Looking Ahead  - As winter approaches, we remain focused on what defines Courteenhall - farming responsibly, caring for nature, and nurturing our connection with community and place.

Thank you for your continued support.

^‍