November Exidex - a visit to the Chaldean Estate, Much Hadham

For the November Exidex we decided to invite ourselves for an Exidous to the Chaldean Estate!

A good sized group of Exies met up to hear from two Gordons about how farming and estate management have changed over the years, and how Chaldean in particular has taken recent environmental considerations into account.

We heard about the benefits of collaboration (shared machinery, labour, investment and expertise) with two other similar sized nearby farms. This has enabled the purchase of the correct sized machinery (big, but not too huge) to be shared and used when needed across the larger combined (pardon the pun) area.

Our next stop was to the vineyard - which if I recall correctly is made up of chardonnay and pinot noir grape varieties. The grapes, harvested a couple of weeks ago, have gone off to Surrey, where they will be made into lovely sparkling English wine (definitely not Champagne, as that only comes from a specific region of France - even if made using the méthode champenoise!).

After a minute's silence (it being the 11th November) at the newly built grain store we jumped back into the vehicles that Gordon had so kindly laid on for us and carried on over to Barwick Ford to see further diversification of revenue streams in the guise of C-storage. This is where an older building (former grain store but no longer fit for purpose) has been repurposed into a self-storage facility. Heading back past a small plantation of cricket bat willows (apparently the willow is almost exclusively grown in Essex and Herts, then gets shipped to Pakistan to be made into bats, which then get shipped back here again to be sold. Somehow this is more cost-effective than just making them here - perhaps financially cost-effective if not environmentally so).

It was fascinating to learn about all of the different aspects of environmental stewardship that come with the responsibility of being a modern landowner (did you know that a beetle bank is not a financial institution, but a grass mound about 2 metres wide which runs through arable fields? This can help reduce pest issues and improve access for positive symbiotic natutral relationships such as where pollinator insects improve crop yields.)

We are extremely grateful to both Gordons and their team for the friendly welcome, as well as their time and patience on the day. It was so kind of them to invite us to visit and we hope to see you again soon!

If any of these ideas or issues strike a chord with you, or if you would be interested in discussing any of them in more detail please do join us at the next Exidex meeting – on Friday 10th December, venue to be decided but please do expect some sort of Christmas theme!

Exidex (The Experienced Individuals Ideas Exchange) is a project based in Bishop’s Stortford where Experienced Individuals "Exies" typically meet up in a comfortable and relaxed place (when allowed) to brainstorm and exchange ideas about how to make things better.

?Exidex is for people who can identify with one or more of the following:

?● not in work

● motivated by being pro-active

● may have taken early retirement or a career break and are now looking for something stimulating and productive to do

● would like to gain employment by offering their skills and experience

● whose children may have flown the nest and are now looking for new opportunities

● in a job that is not making the best use of their relationships and capabilities

The ideas that the Exies bring do not necessarily have to be revenue generating business ideas – they can be in the charity sector or anything that the Exie feels will be interesting. The aim is to create the buzz that can be found in small groups when ideas are floated, refined and gather momentum before spinning off with a life of their own.

If you or anyone that you know could fit the description, please do visit the website?www.exidex.com?or get in touch with us at?[email protected]

We look forward to meeting you at the next Exidex meeting. The date for this is Friday 10th December, venue to be confirmed nearer the time!