News 
Long Service Award For Crown Estate Man
13 May 2009
A well known Morayshire man who spent his working life with The Crown Estate was presented with a Long Service Award on his retirement this week.
Jimmy Gordon joined The Crown Estate in 1965. He retires from his position as foreman of the Fochabers and Glenlivet Estates maintenance squad after 44 years, a period that saw him move from salmon fishing into joinery and finally to team management.
His award, from the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) was presented by the association’s chairman Luke Borwick and chief executive Doug McAdam on behalf of the association and The Crown Estate at a special event held in Spey Bay near Fochabers on May 13.
Jimmy’s father and grandfather also worked for The Crown Estate and he remembers a time when recruitment was carried out in a much less formal fashion than we are used to today. His father, who became a ghillie after some years as a salmon fisherman, found Jimmy a place on the estate through local contacts – a decision Jimmy has never regretted.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” Jimmy said. “Farming is more intensive now, and it is big business but there is still time for laughs. It is the babies who were in nappies when I started who are now the farmers and I still feel that I know everybody working on the two estates.”
Jimmy’s team helps to maintain nearly 60 residential properties and over 80 farms across the Glenlivet and Fochabers estates which involves a lot of travelling throughout the Moray area.
As foreman, Jimmy led a six-strong team including two joiners a mason and a slater and two additional labourers. His work took him all over the estate and covers all kinds of maintenance work, from building repairs to provision of reliable water supplies. His role has involved working with a wide range of local contractors, building suppliers and farmers both in lowland and upland Moray which has ensured he has played a key part in the local community.
Jimmy’s working life for The Crown Estate started out at the former Salmon Fishing Station at the mouth of the River Spey, which is where the presentation was made. “Years ago there were 50 men working the salmon nets and it seemed half the locality relied on the fishing. There are still some nets operating at Portgordon but it’s changed.”
After retirement Jimmy will remain in his Bogmoor home and continue with his golf and other interests. And there is one suit he is not ready to hang up yet ... he will still be heading out at Christmas time to play Santa for local groups.
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For further information please contact: Barbara Fraser, 0131 620 2914, Barbara.fraser@pagodapr.com
Notes to Editors:
· The Crown Estate’s Fochabers estate covers 4674 hectares (18 square miles) stretching from Spey Bay towards the A95. The Spey River flows through the estate, which also includes woodland, hill and farmland. The Crown Estate acquired the Fochabers estate in 1937. Around 11,550 acres, it comprises about 40 let farms, more than 30 residential properties and includes commercial agreements such as the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society at Moray Firth Wildlife Centre, and Spey Bay golf course.
· The Crown Estate acquired the Glenlivet estate in 1937. Around 23,000 ha (58,000 ac) in size, it comprises over 30 let farms, 3,500 ha (8,500 ac) of commercial forests and a sporting tenancy including grouse moors, salmon fishing and deer stalking. Within Glenlivet, The Crown Estate has encouraged sustainable economic development, backed up by significant re-investment, a policy that has won the estate several major awards. Facilities and services for visitors are continually being developed and it is the policy of The Crown Estate to encourage new enterprises and activities, which are in keeping with the area’s traditional land uses. http://www.glenlivetestate.co.uk/
· The Crown Estate is valued at over £7 billion, including substantial blocks of urban property, over 119,000 hectares (294,000 acres) of agricultural land in England, Scotland and Wales, and around half the foreshore, together with the seabed out to the 12 mile territorial limit. The Crown Estate has two main objectives: to benefit the taxpayer by paying the revenue surplus earned from assets directly to the Treasury (in 2007/08 this amounted to £211.4 million); and to enhance the value of the estate and the income it generates. As owners, managers and guardians of one of the world’s most important and diverse urban, rural and marine property portfolios, our work is underpinned by the three core values of commercialism, integrity and stewardship.
· The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) represents the role and interests of those involved with rural property and businesses connected with the land. It embodies a proactive approach to property, business and enterprise in rural Scotland, building upon 100 years of experience. The Association aims to demonstrate the wider benefits of our members’ activities to the community and to the Scottish rural economy; to contribute to the formulation of rural policy and to demonstrate a new approach in enhancing the political, social and economical climate within our sphere of influence and to promote rural enterprise and rural development in Scotland.
