The prospect of welcoming HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh to our Cumbrian farm was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Ernest Cook Trust’s work. But as the planning began, one thing was clear, we wanted Her Royal Highness to experience Low Beckside for what it is – a working hill farm and outdoor learning site where young people can gain new skills, build confidence, and explore possible future careers in the outdoors.
And so, alongside the preparations for the royal visitor, the farm’s everyday activities continued…
A working farm with learning at its heart
At Low Beckside Farm, the landscape itself is the learning resource, connecting young people with nature, farming and the opportunities available to them in these rural communities. They come from places where previous generations have faithfully worked the land, and where this generation are now facing unprecedented challenges.
It is through our work with partners, some of whom were on site for the royal visit, that we help to address these challenges, equipping young people with the skills and experience to be the next custodians of these vital landscapes.
During her visit, The Duchess was welcomed by the Ernest Cook Trust’s Chair of Trustees, Mary Riall, Trustee Ian Pigott and Chief Executive Ed Ikin, before being shown around the farm by Victoria McDermott, Head of Learning, Operations & Partnerships (North).
The visit offered an opportunity to see how the Trust brings together its work in land management, outdoor education and skills development, with the working farm providing a practical, authentic setting, supporting learning and skills development from first encounters with nature through to future careers.
Discovering new skills and future possibilities
One of the highlights was a visit to the woodwork workshop, where Her Royal Highness joined young adults taking part in the Trust’s Growing Horizons partnership programme, alongside Outdoor Learning Leader Amy Trepte-Ferguson.
Growing Horizons supports secondary school pupils to explore land-based careers through mentoring, work experience and regular practical learning. By introducing young people to new experiences and hands-on skills, the programme helps them discover interests and possibilities that might otherwise remain unexplored.
For some young people, a traditional classroom environment isn’t where they feel most confident or engaged. Practical outdoor learning offers a different way to develop knowledge, independence, and self-belief, while exploring how those skills might translate into future careers.
As Victoria reflected after the visit:
What particularly stood out was The Duchess’s genuine interest in the experiences and aspirations of the young people she met, and in the role that farms and the wider landscape can play in helping them develop confidence, practical skills and a sense of what might be possible for their future.
Geography, with a difference
There was also a chance to see outdoor learning in action with local school children, as The Duchess met pupils from a local primary school. Led by Outdoor Learning Leaders Jane Armstrong and Alison Cross, the children were taking part in a geography lesson inspired by map reading which brought their curriculum to life through practical exploration of the surrounding landscape.
The Ernest Cook Trust’s Schools programme welcomes children and young people from across Cumbria, offering bespoke outdoor learning experiences tailored to curriculum needs and designed to make the most of the natural environment. (Read more about the role of farms in education in Jane’s blog).
A shared commitment to the future of the countryside
The visit also brought together organisations and people working to support the future of rural communities and land-based industries.
Representatives from LANSS (Land & Nature Skills Service), and West Lakeland Farmer-Led Nature Recovery CIC also joined us at the farm to meet with The Duchess. Members of Penrith Young Farmers took this opportunity to celebrate their 90th anniversary during the royal visit, with some former (not so young!) YFC members enjoying a friendly chat with The Duchess, who clearly understood how Young Farmers Clubs like to party!
Their presence reflected the wider network of collaboration that helps sustain rural skills, nature recovery and opportunities for young people across Cumbria. As Chief Executive Ed Ikin explained:
We were delighted to share our work at Low Beckside Farm with HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. Centring a comprehensive learning programme around an authentic working farm clearly sparked Her Royal Highness’ interest and it was joyful to see her joining school children in a lesson inspired by map reading.
Looking beyond the visit
A royal visit is undoubtedly a special occasion, but the work that caught The Duchess’s interest is happening at Low Beckside every week.
Through practical experiences, partnerships and opportunities to connect with the land, the Ernest Cook Trust is helping young people build confidence, develop skills and discover pathways into the future, whether that means a career in the land-based sector, a deeper understanding of the natural world, or simply finding a new sense of what they can achieve.
As Victoria put it:
At the Ernest Cook Trust, we believe that access to land and meaningful experiences in nature can open doors – whether that is through learning, building skills, exploring careers or simply developing a stronger connection to the place where you live.
Low Beckside is an important part of our ambition to create those opportunities in rural communities, and it was wonderful to have The Duchess take such an interest in that work.
And that, perhaps, is what made this particular Wednesday so memorable, not just the arrival of a royal visitor, but the opportunity to share the everyday work of a farm where learning, land and lives can all thrive.
