Princes Countryside Fund Archives - Mark Lord Photography

#Royal visit to #Sherston Old School, #Wiltshire

10th January 2014

A few months ago I had the pleasure of being the official photographer for HRH Prince Charles’ visit to Sherston old school in Wiltshire. With several press boys and girls there I was privileged to be the only photographer to accompany HRH into the building on his visit to Sherston old school.

Sherston old school is a great community project helped by The Princes Countryside Fund, one of Prince Charles’ charities. To find out more about the fund and to see how you can help please click here. To read the ‘Sherston Cliffhanger’ and all about the Royal visit please click here. To see the images I took on my first visit to Sherston old school please click here.

In the meantime here is one of my favourite images from the visit, I just love the enthusiasm of the little boy in the middle! Wiltshire followers of my blog please keep a look out in your county magazines for more of my images from the visit.

Countryside Photography / Editorial Photography / Event Photography Oxfordshire / Events Photography Buckinghamshire / Oxford Photographer / Oxford Photography / Oxfordshire Photographer / Oxfordshire Photography / Photography / Portrait Photographer Oxfordshire / Princes Countryside Fund

#Hambleden #Oxfordshire #Countryside for #NCW13

27th July 2013

Many of you have asked where my image that featured on the front page of ‘The Life’ supplement of The Sunday Telegraph last week was taken.

I took this picture just a couple of weeks ago in the picturesque village of Hambleden, Oxfordshire. Always a favourite spot for me to go to when I’m out and about in the Chilterns as to me it’s a quintessential English village. I had just been to the farmers market in the village which happens on the 2nd Saturday of every month (you must go if in the area!) and was talking to a lady who recommended the spot opposite her house for a good view of the village. Thankfully those few shots I took of the village from her recommendation paid off as the Editor of the Sunday Telegraph chose it for the front cover. I must buy the lady a cuppa and a slice of cake next time I see her in Hambleden.

Here is the full frame image that you will be able to enjoy from you computer screen along with a few more of my favourite images taken in recent weeks.

That’s it for National Countryside week for this year supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund. We have an amazing countryside out there for us to explore but remember our countryside did not just happen. It’s evolved from years of hard work from dedicated people who have worked the land we now all enjoy so much. Whilst the weather is still so great why not head out with the family and find your own favourite spots local to you and don’t forget your camera!

To find out more about The Princes Countryside Fund please click here

Countryside Photography / Editorial Photography / Event Photography Oxfordshire / Events Photography Buckinghamshire / Food Photography / Oxford Photographer / Oxford Photography / Oxfordshire Photographer / Oxfordshire Photography / Photography / Portrait Photographer Oxfordshire / Portrait Photography / Portrait Photography Oxfordshire / Princes Countryside Fund

Heritage Harvest – using traditional skills to grow traditional cereal crops – #NCW13

25th July 2013

A couple of weeks ago I met John Letts who runs Heritage Harvest in the Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire area. John and his small team help farmers grow heritage cereals for thatching straw and grain and distributes bread and flour through the Oxford Bread Group. The Prince’s Countryside Fund have helped John by giving him a grant to develop his business further. The Fund’s grant has helped to establish a demonstration farm and education centre of heritage wheat varieties in collaboration with a group of 100 thatchers, organic farmers and traditional millers. Their aim is to reduce the UK’s dependence on imported thatching materials while encouraging the development of this traditional skill and providing a valuable diversification opportunity for farmers. 10 school visits have taken place and 2 summer placements for agricultural students completed. The flour is now being used in 4 lines of Astons organic bakery and is available through the Tru Food Group with 350 members.

On a personal note John made me understand the problems we could potentially be facing as a result of global warming and how farmers need to diversify and change their farming methods in our ever changing climate. I was also introduced to some of the earliest forms of wheat including Einkorn which is one of the earliest forms of cultivated wheat dating back to 7500BC. John was very kind and loaded my car with eggs, 4 bags of flour, a sourdough starter and some fresh fruit picked from his allotment. Mrs Lord has since made some delicious sourdough bread using Einkorn and Rye flour.

Keep a look out for Heritage Harvest’s website, John is an excellent supplier of flour to anyone who enjoys baking real bread!

To find out more about the Princes Countryside Fund and how you could help please click here.

In the pictures below John is weeding the borders of the fields with a scythe, he does use motor driven vehicles for sowing and harvesting but enjoys using traditional tools where he can. I was given the opportunity to have a go with the scythe and lets just say I will stick to using a camera!