Myerscough College farms are fit for a King

The Duchy of Lancaster was founded in the 13th century, and is a private estate held in trust for the Sovereign and their successors.

Since 1399, the title Duke of Lancaster has been held by the reigning Sovereign. His Majesty King Charles III is the current Duke of Lancaster and takes a keen interest in the estate and makes several private visits each year to meet with tenants, staff and the local community.

Positioned close to Myerscough’s main campus at Bilsborrow, Lee and Lodge Farms sit on Duchy land within the wider Lancashire estate. Both farms adopt a strong emphasis on sustainable farming methods, a number of which were demonstrated and explained to His Majesty during his visit.

Responsible and sustainable farming is central to the Duchy of Lancaster’s approach to land stewardship. Farming in harmony with nature reduces artificial inputs, strengthens margins, and helps build resilient farm businesses. It also supports environmental recovery, improves mental wellbeing, and enhances the wider community’s enjoyment of the countryside.

King Charles arrived at Lee Farm and was introduced to members of the Duchy of Lancaster team, before meeting Myerscough Chief Executive and Principal, Wes Johnson, and Andrea Gardner, Director of Farm Operations and Innovation.

The King commenced a tour of Lee Farm’s sheep barn, which is currently full of triplet and twin bearing ewes bedded on home grown willow, ahead of main Lambing Season in the coming weeks.

Inside he chatted to Ben Heaps, Myerscough’s Sheep Lead, who explained the College’s regenerative farming method, including farm to fork activities, supported by India Bradshaw - Assistant Shepherd and General Farm Worker.

His Majesty also met with two students. Thomas Seed is on a Level 3 agriculture programme, while former 14-16 learner Imogen Morris is studying a Level 2 course.

During the visit, a larger group of our Level 1 and T Level agriculture students were also in attendance, undertaking activities including bedding up of sheep and halter training of Hereford Cattle.

His Majesty was then taken on a journey by car along the King’s Drive, a private track which connects Myerscough’s Lee and Lodge Farms.

Andrea Gardner was delighted to explain the range of initiatives being undertaken in the adjacent fields during the drive through, including Round Woodlands; fields due to be given over to herbal lays later this year in a scheme funded by a partnership with the Wyre River Trust; a demonstration of student sustainable hedge laying, and a recently harvested willow field and in field tree planting, again funded by the Wyre Rivers Trust.

On arrival at Myerscough’s Lodge Farm, His Majesty was taken through the farm’s dairy unit observing techniques including the state-of-the-art automated robot milking of the dairy herd; the use of solar energy on the building providing energy to barn fans and specialist lighting to reduce heat stress.

The visit then headed into the farms Rural Innovation Centre, with the King accompanied by Wes Johnson and Andrea Gardner, for a discussion about Myerscough Farms Strategic Plan 2030, and some of the sustainability and regeneration initiatives within it.

His Majesty was introduced to Victoria Bracken – Myerscough’s Farmer Network Facilitator - who has been delivering Royal Countryside Funded projects benefitting the agriculture and countryside sectors in Lancashire.

King Charles also chatted to special guest Gladys Bradshaw, who was born in Lodge Farmhouse and met King George and Queen Elizabeth back in 1951.

 

Following a meeting with members of staff from Wyre Rivers Trust, to conclude the visit, His Majesty was introduced to Jane Booker and Rob Wallace, Chair and Vice Chair of the Myerscough Corporation, along with Myerscough Vice Principal and Deputy Chief Executive Joanne Sherrington, Deputy Principal Damian Stewart, and Library and Learning Resources Manager, Jon Humfrey.

The visit then finished with His Majesty unveiling a round plaque on easel in commemoration of the visit in the foyer of the newly renamed, Rural Innovation Centre.