A beautifully converted medieval farmhouse and an electric fence to protect nesting birds were among the winners of this year’s annual Maldon District Conservation and Design Awards.
The awards, which have now been running for 30 years, seek to celebrate high standards of design, conservation and sustainability.
The winner in the building conservation category was the sensitive restoration of grade II listed farmhouse, Falcon Hall, which has two cross-wings dating from the 1500 and 1600s.
Since buying the house in 2007, owner Jacqui Aspess and her husband have transformed it almost beyond recognition, retaining and enhancing many traditional features while replacing unattractive 20th century brickwork.
The installation of a 2km solar-powered electric fence to protect nesting birds, including avocets, lapwings and redshanks, from foxes at Blue House Farm, in North Fambridge, came out on top in the nature conservation category.
The 600 acre farm has been managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve since 1998, with a lot of the work involved in the project carried out by volunteers.
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