Inspiring events

A mix of physical and digital events characterised 2021 and provided members with access to essential advice and support, as well as visits to spectacular venues

Institutional Landowners Conference 2021

The fi rst in-person Institutional Landowners Conference for two years took place in London in October. Almost 50 delegates gathered to hear from leading academics and representatives from Local Enterprise Partnerships about the green economy opportunities for growth in rural areas.

2021 Rural Business Conference: Towards Net Zero

Our annual conference focused on how CLA members could work towards a lowcarbon rural economy. Its 450 delegates heard from 15 speakers, including senior government ministers, land managers, rural businesses and farmers, about innovative approaches and projects to help reduce emissions.

CLA podcast series: Rural business uncovered

Launched at the beginning of 2021, the CLA’s dedicated podcast series explores diff erent perspectives on a range of key issues facing landowners and rural business in the UK including climate change, diversifi cation, new agricultural policies, rural crime and access.

Listen to all podcasts by visiting cla.org.uk, click on the news tab and use the drop-down search bar to select podcasts.

Watch all previous sessions by visiting cla.org.uk, click on the news tab and use the drop-down search bar to select past webinars.

21 episodes recorded 10,316 downloads

CLA webinars

We continued to deliver a series of online events throughout 2021, including our webinar series, which focused on topics including agricultural transition, natural capital, heritage, water management and the staycation trend.

21 webinars recorded 4,269 registered to watch our webinars IN YOUR AREA

Wales

The team hosted an online

Senedd election hustings event, which saw fi ve candidates from the main political parties debate and answer questions from 80 members and visitors. The team also produced a manifesto video and podcast on the election. Following COP26, the team hosted an event focusing on how rural Wales can responds to the challenges and opportunities, including keynote speaker

Welsh Climate Change Minister

JulieJames. Webinars focused on heritage, planning and Welsh farm support. The team attended three agricultural shows, including the

Royal Welsh Winter Fair and visits to Glan Usk Estate, Hean Castle

Estate, Leighton Farm Stud and

Snowdonia National Park.

South East

The team arranged and attended more than 20 physical and virtual events, including the CLA’s annual

Forestry Conference. The team were one of the main sponsors for the South of England Show. A summer socials series took place in 2021, including a natural capital walk at Englefi eld, a tour and lunch at Blenheim Palace and a visit to the Isle of Wight Deer

Farm as well as trips to Denbies,

Hattingley and Ridgeview. Webinars focused on tourism, access, biodiversity net gain, natural capital, soil, the OxCam

Arc and renewables. The team continued regular online adviser hours and worked with

Defra on webinars about post-

Brexit transition.

South West

The team’s Devon County Show breakfast saw 180 people attend, and heard from Environment Secretary George Eustice and CLA President Mark Bridgeman. The team sponsored the Bath and West County Festival. Physical events included a numberof farm walks, a three-day trip to the Isles of Scilly, a tour of Colwith Distillery and Noah’s ArkFarm Park. The team continued to host its series of hour-long policy and advice sessions online.

North

Online events covered topics ranging from rural crime issues to making best use of media. The team hosted several online adviser surgeries plus a Farm

Update North event featuring

Defra’s Programme Director for the

Future Farming and Countryside

Programme Janet Hughes. Physical events returned in 2021, and the team attended and hosted members at stands at the extended Great Yorkshire, Dri eld and Westmorland County Shows. Visits included a trip to Preese

Hall and Castletown Estate andCrooklands. The team helped organise the

Northern Farming Conference, which took place for the fi rst timesince 2019.

Midlands

At the beginning of the year, with England and Wales in lockdown, the team hosted a range of online events for members, including a live wine tasting from Tissington Hall with

Tanners Wines and a chocolate event with SeedChocolates. Many regular shows were cancelled over the season; however, the team attended the

Glamping Show at Stoneleigh in

September and hosted members at their stand. A series of autumn visits took place to locations across the Midlands, including Ingestre, Brooksby Hall,

Crumplebury and Lyme Hall.

East

The team organised a host of online events, including management of wild deer, nature conservation, the OxCam Arc and global grain markets. Members also benefi ted from a webinar on how rural businesses can maximise their media profi le. Online adviser hours continued for members to access expert support and advice. Physical events included farm walks in Northamptonshire and Norfolk, as well as a series of house and garden tours across the region.