Many of you will know that our Director and Land Project Manager, Gabriel Kaye, stepped down from her role at the Biodynamic Land Trust following a stroke in February.
We were delighted that Gabriel was able to join us at our AGM last month, where we had the opportunity to recognise her remarkable contribution to the Trust and present her with a beautiful bouquet of biodynamic flowers, grown at the BDLT’s Oakbrook Farm by Kate, of Fox Lane Flowers.
Many of our members and supporters know Gabriel personally, and it was wonderful to see her at the AGM and celebrate her dedication, commitment and enormous contribution to the development and success of the Trust.
To mark the occasion, we’d like to share the words of our Director, Chris Stockdale, delivered at the AGM. His tribute reflects the important role Gabriel has played in shaping the Biodynamic Land Trust and expresses our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for her continued recovery and retirement.
A tribute to Gabriel Kaye – words from Chris Stockdale at the AGM
Dear Friends,
Delightful to see such a full room to-day. My purpose now is to say a few words about, and to, one of our founding members, Gabriel Kaye, who, having resigned following a second bout of severe illness has now recovered sufficiently to join us today.
The Early Beginnings of the Biodynamic Land Trust
Gabriel’s precise chronology of involvement with the Biodynamic Land Trust is slightly lost in the mists of time, but precision is not important here. Having grown up and to adulthood immersed in biodynamics, Gabriel moved into (Waldorf) school administration, latterly at the Wynstones School, near Gloucester. At some point Gabriel began supporting Jess in the BDA office, and then also working for Certification. Shortly after this, Gabriel was recruited by Martin Large to help develop the BDA’s member-approved vision to create a fund to buy itself a home base on a farm close to Stroud (somewhere like Hammonds Farm, for example) – the actual root of the Biodynamic Land Trust.
Somehow this intention morphed into a separate ‘Land Trust’. Gabriel, having not been at the Members’ meeting, had no idea of this slight transformation of intention, but this is accurate, as Patrick Holden (who was at the meeting) recently confirmed to Louise Southwell, Gabriel’s successor, at a talk in Hay-on-Wye – stated here for Viv Griffiths’ historical record.
Helping to Build and Develop the Trust
Gabriel took to her appointed task with vigour, working way beyond the call of duty, with the dedication and determination we have come to know, respect and love. The fledgling BDLT took off, initially securing a parcel of land at Tablehurst Farm, then as an anchor investor for Rush Farm in Worcestershire, helping them get through a difficult patch, creating the Community Benefit Society we see succeeding today; enabling the purchase and development of Huxhams Cross, the purchase and creation of Oakbrook CBS, various other initiatives (for example, purchasing organic land in Orkney then, bizarrely, being asked to sell it back), short-term loans, (repaid ) and to the present day, where our portfolio of farms and land under management is now significantly increased by the very, very generous donation of Springham Farm, in Sussex.
Building Relationships and Supporting the Biodynamic Farming Community
During the past eight years, under the steady and competent leadership of Ian Nicholson (as Chairman), Gabriel continued her good work, flagging up our existence, taking our stall to and participating in the Oxford Real Farming Conference, similarly at Groundswell, and other think tank type meetings, for example, with Diocesan Glebe Land Commissioners.
A Lasting Contribution and Our Heartfelt Thanks
Gabriel’s hallmark qualities, of fidelity, concscientiousness, approachability and attention to detail have greatly helped as people over time have approached us, usually via herself, to enquire what we can offer, make suggestions, or open an ongoing dialogue, including with other aligned bodies ( Soil Association Land Trust, Land Workers Alliance, Terre de Liens) or individuals seeking land or a Trust to hold their land. This work has led to the creation of ‘Associate Membership’, itself undergoing development as it expands, whereby those who have or are looking into gifting their estate / farm/ land / house/ money develop a connection to the Trust while contributing financially to help us develop and to support them. We are also constantly, and currently for year 2026-’27, reviewing exactly what we can, must and do offer our donors, a theme we will return to, in consultation and report.
Gabriel’s role in all this, her steadfast administrative grasp of details and ability to network and communicate the need and urgency for what we do, was recognized and rewarded with a Fellowship of the Royal Society if Arts. We have no such honours that we can bestow, only the ability to express heartfelt gratitude to Gabriel and joy at seeing her here today, and a splendid bouquet of flowers grown one field away on Oakbrook by Kate, of Fox Lane Flowers, who will now present them to Gabriel. Well done Gabriel, keep on with your recovery, and thank you from all at the Biodynamic Land Trust.
Thank you, indeed, Gabriel for everything.
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