The custodians of the former home of world famous crime writer, Agatha Christie, on the banks of the River Dart are on a mission to tackle climate change by going as ‘green’ as possible.

The National Trust which cares for the Greenway Estate near Galmpton has just invested in a brand-new electric tractor, the first of its kind in the UK and the first to be used at a National Trust garden.

The gardening team has recently taken delivery the tractor and say it is proving to be a useful asset.

The tractor emits zero emissions and can run for nearly a whole day on a full charge. And the gardening team says it can handling the undulating woodland garden with ease and take on all tasks involved in tending the 34-acre estate.

Impressed by the tractor’s capability, head gardener Ashley said: “Our new tractor does everything the old diesel did with ease.

“It turns compost no problem and easily pulls away uphill with a heavily laden trailer.

“Its battery life is perfect for our needs and it’s great to be able to work without the diesel fumes. I’m really pleased we made the move.”

Greenway House
(Lauren Hutchinson)

The National Trust says when its machinery reaches the end of its natural life, they are replacing it with electric kit where possible.

A spokeswoman said: “This is much easier for small pedestrian mowers and handheld kit such as blowers, strimmers, hedgecutters and chainsaws, and teams are experimenting with different models and manufacturers for larger kit like professional cylinder mowers, ride-on mowers and compact tractors - like the one at Greenway.”

Other efforts to become more eco-friendly at Greenway include installing air source and ground source heat pumps, and the continued use of greener methods of pest control in the glasshouses.

The garden team have also been involved with the Queen’s Green Canopy project, working hard to restore the meadow at the top of Greenway garden to its former glory by planting additional 15 apple trees.

Visitors too can play their part in helping to tackle climate change by opting for a greener method of travel, by stepping back into Agatha’s heyday and cruising upriver on a scenic and leisurely ferry ride.

The Greenway Ferry Company runs services from Dartmouth as frequent as every hour from March to October, and from Dittisham on demand every few minutes by ringing a bell on the river’s edge.

To plan a day out to Greenway and to book ferry tickets visit www.greenwayferry.co.uk