Mackey's Mullennan receives UK wide award

The farm on the outskirts of Londonderry was honoured with a certificate presentation by celebrity TV chef James Martin who presented the gong to Gwen Mackey, daughter of proprietors Roger and Wendy.

Roger and Wendy Mackey's farm near Londonderry is small but has been in the family for many years. It is on the edge of the city and the Mackeys have a real interest in their livestock.

Its idyllic setting on the west bank of the River Foyle certainly helped it on the way to the award but a lifetime of painstaking work by the Mackeys sealed the deal.

As a spokesperson for the Beautiful Farm Awards explained: "They have very cleverly managed the land to create an old fashioned feel on a relatively modern, well managed farm and gone to great lengths to keep the farm traditional, with stone walls, grass lanes and traditional gates.

Integrated

"Many of the original features are still there and have been integrated into changes on the farm. Their wildlife policies are impressive, including creating good conditions for hedgehogs.

"They have planted native trees and everything they do on the farm is about improving its environmental credentials. At the same time they are practical and commercial."

Roger and Wendy were represented at the awards by their daughter Gwen Mackey who received the award from celebrity TV chef James Martin.

James Martin has worked long and hard to promote pride in British fayre and produce and to promote the "artisans" that supply the chef industry with good British food.

The overall winner and the UK's Beautiful Farm 2009/10 was awarded to Beal Farm, Berwick upon Tweed. The Beautiful Farm Awards was hosted by Lord Palmer (a member of the EU Sub-committee for Environment and Agriculture) and is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture and organised by Farm Business magazine.

The Beautiful Farm awards are about farming in harmony with the environment. The 2009/10 winners are testament to what can be achieved to preserve and nurture this important balance.