Sustainability
Our sustainability and heritage values are embedded in our crest and motto. The stag represents our link to the Forest of Bowland, and the name Parker comes from ‘Park Keeper’, with Robert being the latest Parker to be granted the title Bowbearer of the Forest of Bowland. The motto ‘Nec Fluctu Nec Flatu Movetur’ – neither wind nor wave shall move us – is apt after continuous occupation for over five hundred years. Together in our Coat of Arms they demonstrate the complete interdependence between the family, the Forest of Bowland and the house.
Browsholme Hall is an historic visitor attraction established in 1958, featuring a Grade I listed Tudor Hall, displaying a pre-eminent collection of artefacts of museum quality and a recent restoration of a 18thC building for functions and events. Browsholme tells a social story of family and local history over 500 years; its origins within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its interaction with the local and regional community.
We aim to give our visitors a great day out while demonstrating that history and wildlife sustainability matter in a serious yet entertaining way. We believe that traditional buildings and estates once reliant on inefficient practice can be transformed, by the introduction of a sustainable business policy that can enhance the lives of visitors, employees and thereby build a stronger community.
Energy and Resources
- All heating to the Hall & Tithe Barn is provided by ground source heat pump or wood chip biomass boiler. The biomass boiler replaced both oil fired and gas boilers and most recently a 12KW electric boiler. All systems produce 100% of heating and hot water and we produce our own wood chip from our sustainable woodland.
- We reduce electrical and all energy demand through LED and intelligent automated control systems.
- We protect existing private water supply to maintain quality and reduce demand. The spring supply is constant but not plentiful, so our monitoring is integral to the smooth running of the supply to domestic and business occupiers on the estate
- Water butts at both the Hall and Tithe Barn collect rainwater for use in the gardens and for cleaning.
- Dishwashers and machines are run when full and are water and energy efficient.
Sewage and some waste water goes into a septic tank, then to a stabilisation pond rich in wildlife. - Other waste water is used for cleaning outside areas.
Community Engagement
- The Forest of Bowland AONB promotes local culture and community projects and we are active members. The Tithe Barn is available free of charge for local events, e.g. training, seminars and fund raising.
- All our guides are local volunteers and our houses are let to people in local employment, many of whom are children of farmers or gamekeepers, all dependent on the rural economy and vital to a thriving local community.
- We invite all our neighbours and people from the local villages to events and celebrations
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Our Flora and Fauna
- Browsholme Estate is rich in wildlife and we seek to do more to encourage and manage all forms of mammal, reptile, birds, insects, flora and fauna. To do so we must understand and register existing populations in order to enhance those that need protection or have become scarce.
- Annual surveys of, for example, bats, moths, hedgehogs, birds, wildflowers assist us with this.
The results of the surveys contribute to our estate management, planting schedule and lake and pond maintenance. - Wood chip and firewood is sourced from 120 acres of woodland which is in a sustainable management scheme primarily by promoting regeneration of existing trees, rather than import of transplants.
Management and Economy
Our Consistency
- We ensure sustainability is embedded in all that we do, our mission statement and policies thereby making a consistent approach to sustainability in all areas of Browsholme Hall Estate.
- We encourage our visitors to spend time and money in the local area.
- Our employment criteria includes locality and proximity to our business.
Measurement & Transparency
- Identify social, economic and environmental measures of sustainability at Browsholme Hall Estate and develop processes to capture information that will act as indicators of our sustainability.
- Set improvement goals and measure our progress against these goals.
- Publish information on our sustainability performance regularly.
Our Visitor Charter
You can download or view our Visitor Charter by clicking on this link Visitor Charter.
Environmental Policies of our Principal Caterers
Our external caterers have strict policies, examples are shown below.
Twelve and Twelve Event Management Sustainability Policy
Promoting Sustainable Practices
Our Behaviour
- Continue to examine ways to actively explore alternatives to fossil fuel based energy production both by employees and visitors particularly public transport and activities such as cycling and walking.
- Pursue reduction of our use of energy.
- Pursue overall reduction of waste and increase amount of waste that is be recycled.
- Enhance biodiversity and ecosystems across the Browsholme estate.
- Promote coach travel and transport methods that minimise our carbon footprint.
- Ensure accessibility and inclusion across all ages, ethnicity and social class.
- Promote the health and wellbeing of employees.
- Ensure that our impact on the Forest of Bowland AONB and local community is always positive.
- Promote regional economic sustainability through use of local suppliers
- Share our knowledge and experience with others
Education
Browsholme connects people with their past as a way to better understand a sustainable future. Sustainability is at the heart of Browsholme Hall & The Barn, it is a major part of the message we communicate to visitors.
Our Education
- Raise visitor awareness by direct engagement of personal guides encouraging interaction by displays, activities, and experiences.
- Educate children by engaging with schools.
- Train our guides through induction and training sessions in sustainability.
- Promote sustainability through informal learning at all levels, and community engagement with the AONB.
- Show the source of ingredients
- Explain our waste management policy
- Encourage visitors and businesses to view and discuss our ethos
Our Visitor Charter
You can download or view our Visitor Charter by clicking on this link Visitor Charter
Environmental Policies of our Principal Caterers
Our external caterers have strict policies, examples are shown below.
Twist Event Catering Ltd Sustainability Policy
Twelve and Twelve Event Management Sustainability Policy