Whilst things have been rather busy just recently – whether its getting Jamie off to his new college, recruiting new team members, moving sheep and horses around on the farm or getting ready for that ‘C’ word, one thing I always make sure I have time for is the sourcing of new products for our farm shop. Whether its reading trade magazines, visiting food fairs, responding to emails or visiting other farm shops, I’m always having a look for new artisan and local makers that do fabulous food and drink.
Just recently we have been working hard on our alcohol ranges for Christmas and so we’ve been doing a spot of sampling to find some new spirits, wines, lagers and ciders to add to our range – don’t worry not all at the same time!! We have also been finalising our food gift range and all of these will be coming into our shop early October, so look out for them. In the production kitchen, our Bakery team have been very busy putting the finishing touches to our handmade savouries and cakes range and you’ll get chance to try all of these at our Taste of Christmas event planned for Thursday 14th November!!
Back on the farm, our two foals this year have now been weaned off their Mums, so there’s been a fair bit of calling from the stables this last week or so, but they are starting to settle now and actually getting on very well together. One of the foals Abigail has been sold to a new home and so will move off in a few weeks time, but we have decided to keep Emerald, our first foal from Lady Jackie. The lambs were weaned several weeks ago now, so its now a matter of getting the tups and the ewes in tip top condition ready for the mating season and some of Dads best ewe lambs will join the Croots flock to become Mums themselves next Spring. I’m also pleased to report that the new hedge plants are growing really well and Tim who helps on the farm has been doing a sterling job of keeping the weeds down so that these new hedge plants thrive in the future
With every best wishes for a lovely autumn
Kay x
