To celebrate the centenary of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), we are holding a special event at stunning Milton Abbey

Dorset CPRE’s celebration to mark 100 years of protecting the countryside

The special event on Friday, 25th September (5 - 7.45 pm), will be opened by journalist and broadcaster Kate Adie, President of Dorset CPRE.

Milton Abbey is in the grounds of Milton Abbey School, just outside the picturesque village of Milton Abbas, which befits a CPRE celebration as it’s commonly regarded as the first planned village in England. Anne Litchfield, Milton Abbey Archivist, will give us a brief history.

CPRE has spent 100 years protecting the countryside and rural communities from damaging development and urban sprawl; Kate Adie will chair what promises to be a lively debate: What is the future of the countryside?

The panel will include broadcaster Mary-Ann Ochota, National CPRE President, Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council and George Hosford, leading Dorset farmer and Agricultural Advisor to Dorset CPRE.

After the discussion, there will be canapés and wine, and guests will have the option to take a 40-minute self-guided walk along the Milton Abbas Experience Trail.

How to Book and Current Programme

We hope you can join us. Tickets for the event are £20 per adult, register by Sunday 30th August. Note, Eventbrite does not collect payment for this event. Please pay by cheque or BACS as follows:

Post cheque payable to Dorset CPRE to our Hon. Treasurer, Bob Bowmer, Fairfield House, 2 Kings Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4HU

Or, pay by bank transfer: account name Campaign to Protect Rural England, Dorset Branch

Barclays Bank, sort code 20 26 62, a/c 20292109 and quote IG and your surname as a reference.

Background information:

Kate Adie, Dorset CPRE President

Journalist and broadcaster Kate Adie became President of Dorset CPRE in November 2023. She opens Dorset CPRE's annual planning conferences, which focus on development pressures and local biodiversity.

Guest speakers:

Mary-Ann Ochota, National CPRE President

Mary-Ann is a broadcaster, author and anthropologist whose passionate expertise has engaged people worldwide with landscapes, heritage and the natural world. She has presented programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic, including Time Team, Mystic Britain and Ancient Impossible.

George Hosford, Agricultural Advisor to Dorset CPRE

George farms 2,000 acres rented from the Bryanston estate with his brother Dougal. Much of Travellers Rest Farm lies within the South Wessex Downs Environmentally Sensitive Area and the Dorset National Landscape. George is well known for his high environmental standards, regenerative farming and focus on conservation, and is passionate about education. George is a former Chair of NFU Dorset.

Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council

Nick has served in local government for many years. He chairs the Cabinet and is Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, as well as serving on the Dorset National Landscape Partnership Board and numerous regional bodies. Nick is very interested in health and wellbeing.

Header images: Kate Adie, Mary-Ann Ochota, George Hosford on his farm, Cllr Nick Ireland with Rangers at the Milldown Nature Reserve in Blandford, and Milton Abbey.

Description supplied by the event organiser.