John Iles
How would you define yourself?
Farmer of the 13 acre Uncllys Farm on Ruskin Land, Former Guild Director responsible with fellow Director Jenny Robbins for the Guild's holdings in the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire. Professional career started with mechanical engineering, then conservation followed by urban regeneration.
Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.
With my wife Linda, I work to bring Uncllys Farm to life. Living here for the last 25 or so years has taught me a lot.. The cherry, apple and plum trees we planted in the first few years are now producing fruit. Intake an interest in rural development projects in Worcestershire and sit on the Worcesetershire LEADER advisory committee allocating EU capital grants to farmers and foresters.
Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?
I was introduced to the Guild by my friend Dr Cedric Quayle soon after taking on the tenancy at Uncllys Farm in 2004. I thought what an interesting bunch of people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. The Guild has always been great at supporting various initiatives here in Wyre - the grazing project to promote more wild flower meadows, forestry apprenticeships to get young people equipped for work, the Wyre Community Land Trust social enterprise and the redevelopment of St George's Farm.
Web links: www.ruskinland.org.uk, www.wyreclt.org.uk