…Henry Astor on Biodiversity, Farming & Food
On the 26th March 2025, a packed Parish Hall in Fifield was treated to a passionate talk from local landowner and farmer, Henry Astor, of Bruern Estate on the challenges, joys and value found in modern farming.
He spoke of his passion for investing in local nature, community and healthy foods, as he took the room on an historical tour of Bruern as a farming estate and its most recent investments. These include a thriving farm shop and cafe, acres of tree planting and a flour mill.
We, the audience, heard of and felt Henry’s personal passion for birds. He spoke with personal experience of the plight of local ground nesting birds such as Lapwing, Curlew and Skylark with the stresses of a modern, busy countryside. And the room was delighted to hear of Bruern’s barn buildings providing homes for many types of owl and other raptors.
As well as wildlife and it’s place in the farm, Henry spoke of his passion for local food. We were fascinated to hear of the success of Bruern’s own flour mill, now supplying local and national businesses with high quality, locally grown and produced flour, also available for sale in the farm shop.
An interesting and enlightening evening had by all, huge thanks to all who came along, including local representatives from Oxfordshire County Council’s Community Action Groups Network (https://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/) and our District Councillor Adam Clements.
Green Fifield is enormously grateful to Henry Astor for his time, experience and views. Many thanks.
