The Ken Wilson Award 2009

WINNER - STEVE MARSDEN

Steve, aged 26, from Long Preston, Skipton has his own business - Marsden Agricultural and Environmental Services Ltd. He was nominated by Don Gamble, Project Officer / Hay Time Project Manager at the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust; Tom Lord, Lower Winskill Visitor Centre, Langcliffe and Honorary Member of the YDS; and Adrian Shepherd of the Yorkshire Dale National Park Authority, Grassington.

Steve was nominated for his contributions to the protection and enhancement of the Dales’ natural and built environment, and the local economy through his services to upland farming and forestry.

In 2006 Steve successfully tendered for a contract to operate the seed harvesting and spreading machinery owned by YDMT for use in meadow restoration schemes in the YDNP as part of the Hay Time Project. He (and his employees) was found to be extremely hard working, enthusiastic and conscientious.

In short, he’s a grafter!

Steve’s willingness to structure his summer schedule around the Hay Time’s meadow restoration programme – which is subject to many factors outside direct control, such as the weather! – is a critical factor in enabling the project to successfully carry out so many individual schemes in such a tight ‘window of opportunity’.

Steve has a genuine understanding of the need to protect the Dales’ landscape. As well as meadow restoration, he is involved in a wide range of conservation work including: heather regeneration, grip blocking, wetland creation/restoration, tree planting, and footpath maintenance. He also does drystone walling to a very high standard – as part of the Pennine Bridleway he built a 225m stretch which won him the prestigious CLA Yorkshire Drystone Walling Competition in 2008. He also provides a range of agricultural services to the farming community.

Steve employs several young men, providing much needed employment during the current economic downturn and slowing down the loss of rural skills from the countryside. His employees are all trained to understand the need to carry out their work in a sympathetic and careful manner so as to minimise any negative impact on sensitive sites and the wider environment.

Steve was presented with a cheque for £500 by Ann Cryer MP for Keighley (pictured above).