Royal visit to Whins Farm as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh opens Addington Fund’s first Starter Farm
On Tuesday 8 September, Addington Fund was honoured to welcome their Patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to officially open the charity’s first starter farm, Whins Farm, near Kendal, Cumbria.
The Duchess attended an open day at the farm, nestled in the Howgill Fells, alongside members of the local community and handed the keys to its new tenants, Kieran and Áine.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh with Kieran and Áine outside the farmhouse at Whins Farm
Whins Farm was purchased by Addington Fund in 2025 following a generous gift of money in the Will of the late Mary Blades. In her Will, Mary expressed her wish for her farm to ultimately benefit a “keen and enthusiastic young farmer”. When no suitable buyer could be found, Addington Fund stepped in to help turn Mary’s wishes into a reality.
Following months of renovations and repairs, the farmhouse, barns and yard have been carefully restored, ready for a new tenant farmer and their family to begin the next chapter in Whins Farm’s story.
Whins Farm’s new tenants Kieran and Áine, 📸Julie Blacow
Kieran and Áine were awarded the tenancy following a rigorous application process, which asked prospective tenants to demonstrate their farming experience, ambitions and plans for developing a successful and sustainable farming business at Whins Farm.
For Kieran and Áine, the opportunity represents a chance to take the next step in their agricultural careers and establish a farming business of their own.
“For us, the biggest attraction was the chance to move from working within agriculture to building a farming business of our own. We had the experience, ambition and determination, but like many young farmers, finding both the opportunity and the financial backing to get started is one of the greatest challenges,” said Kieran and Áine.
Her Royal Highness, who dedicates much of her time to championing opportunities for young people in farming, greeted Kieran and Áine at the front door of the farmhouse before officially handing over the keys to their new home and farm. The Duchess then enjoyed a cup of tea and a relaxed chat with the couple and Fund Director Sue English in the newly refurbished kitchen.
Sue said, “We are absolutely delighted that Her Royal Highness was able to join us at Whins Farm to meet our first tenants and the many individuals who have supported Addington Fund over the years.
“Whins Farm represents an exciting new chapter for Addington Fund and, most importantly, provides a genuine opportunity for the next generation of farmers to establish themselves in agriculture.”
Chair of Trustees Simon Mountjoy with Her Royal Highness
Following her tour of the farmhouse, The Duchess was welcomed to the yard by Addington Fund’s Chair of Trustees, Simon Mountjoy, who showed her around the farmyard and fell gate leading to Brant Fell.
“Whins Farm is an extraordinary legacy of trust. By honouring Mary Blades’ wish that this farm should support an enthusiastic young farmer, we are creating a proper opportunity for the next generation and showing how farms gifted to Addington can remain living, working businesses for years to come” said Simon.
Her Royal Highness also met members of the team involved in bringing the project to life, including Addington Fund’s Project Manager Mike Williams and architect Mark Deverill.
Project Manager Mike Williams and architect Mark Deverill showing HRH some of the objects found at Whins Farm.
In the barn Mike and Mark showed The Duchess a selection of items that had belonged to Mary and her brother, Joe Blades, who lived at Whins Farm for their whole lifetime.
Among the items were family photographs, newspaper clippings, books containing handwritten notes about the sheep, as well as a selection of much-loved puzzles and games. The collection offered a glimpse into the life of the family who had called Whins Farm home and the affection Mary had for the farm and its animals.
Kieran remembers Mary from when he was a boy, having visited Whins Farm after helping on the farm with the sheep or loading wool onto the wagon. He said, “Mary was a character and was very fond of her animals. She would prefer animals over people, and the front field to the house had many pet sheep of all ages that would live out their days at Whins.”
The Duchess enjoyed a cup of tea in the farmhouse kitchen with new tenants, Kieran and Áine.
For Kieran and Áine, becoming the new tenants of Whins Farm marks not only the beginning of their own farming journey, but also the continuation of a story that began many years ago with Mary and Joe.
Her Royal Highness and guests enjoyed a Cumbrian buffet lunch, served in a marquee at the farm, followed by a selection of local cheeses and biscuits kindly provided by Westmorland Farm Shop & Co. Following the meal the Duchess unveiled a plaque carefully carved by local stone mason Pip Hall, which will placed within the farm at a later date.
After unveiling the plaque, The Duchess reflected on the day, saying, “It’s really exciting, the first in a new iteration of the Addington Fund. This is something that is actually going to be done over many years and is going to make a world of difference to young farmers wanting to get their feet onto the ladder, whilst finding purpose for farms whose owners don’t really know what to do in the future.”
The open day concluded with Her Royal Highness being presented with one of Addington Fund’s limited-edition 25th Anniversary teddy bears as a reminder of her visit to Cumbria and a thank you for joining the charity on this special occasion.
The bear, named ‘Mary’ in honour of the former owner of Whins Farm, has a special connection to the farm and its history. It is the tenth of just 15 limited-edition Addington Bears to find a new home as part of the charity’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Reflecting on the day, Sue English said, “We hope the day provided an opportunity for our guests to gain a first-hand understanding of both Addington Fund’s commitment to new entrants and the challenges and rewards of hill farming in Cumbria.
“By highlighting the importance of supporting the next generation of farmers, we aim to promote not only the vital role farmers play in producing food, but also the wider social and environmental benefits they bring.
“Encouraging dedicated young people into farming and supporting sustainable stewardship of the fells helps strengthen rural communities, protect our landscapes and secure the future of this beautiful part of the country.”
Whins Farm is the first starter farm established by Addington Fund and forms part of the charity’s wider commitment to supporting the future of farming and creating opportunities for new entrants to agriculture.
The charity hopes that the farm will provide Kieran and Áine with the foundations they need to build a successful farming business, while continuing Mary Blades’ wish to see Whins Farm remain in the hands of a young and enthusiastic farmer.
For more information about Whins Farm and Addington Fund’s New Entrant Scheme click here.
Addington Fund would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Andy Newbold and Killington Marquees and Westmorland Farm Shop for their generous support in making the Whins Farm Open Day possible.
Her Royal Highness with Sarah Hoggarth, Christine Knipe and Simon Mountjoy 📸Stuart Walker