West Midlands
- Lunch in the Orangery
Farm Stay members from the Heart of England were welcomed to Fishmore Hall near Ludlow by owner, Laura Penman, where she shared with us the journey from derelict shell to award winning hotel and restaurant in just 5 years. Following a delicious lunch in the Orangery head chef, David Jaram, invited us into the kitchen to demonstrate some of the hotel’s signature dishes and share a few cheffy secrets, including giving us some recipes.
Yet another example of the excellent experience you can enjoy in the Heart of England.
Wake up to the Heart of the Country!
- Chocolate Heaven
Farm Stay members from the Heart of England paid a visit to National Trust attraction Croome Court for their Regional Meeting and achieved a first by having the meeting in a bedroom! The Chinese bedroom has the most glorious views over the parkland of this lovely estate, made all the more glorious by the sunshine on this glorious spring day. It was rounded off by a delicious lunch of Croome’s home made soup and bread rolls, followed by some diet busting cakes just too good to resist.
Our thanks to all the staff at Croome Court for their hospitality and allowing us to get to know another of the wonderful attractions in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside.
Breakfast Time at Phepson Farm
Charming Ben Hoyle, his family and friends spent a weekend at Phepson Farm taking advantage of Farm Stay hospitality and shaking off the cobwebs. Tricia treated them to homemade cake and her spectacular Award Winning breakfasts. The children were able to get close and friendly with the newborn lambs shortly after birth and got to know something of the cycle of life and how we get the food we eat. What better way is there to recharge the batteries – Wake Up to the Country!
New life at Phepson Farm
Worcestershire member Mandy Davenport and her husband, Andy who have a son in the Army are great supporters of Help for Heroes.
Every year they organise an annual Flying group Charity Ball in aid of Help 4 Heroes & County Air Ambulance at Puckrup Hilton Hotel, Tewkesbury which includes some great auction items. This was the 7th time that they have hosted this event and as usual the ball was a great success raising £4188.07, adding up to a total of about £25,000 over the 7 years, which will be divided between both charities.
Farm Stay members from the Heart of the England enjoyed an informative and enjoyable day at Mallory Court taking on board some Best Practise hints and tips from Sarah, Hotel Manager; Chef, Andrew who we managed to squeeze a few little cheffy secrets out of, and the lovely Housekeeping team. Jason Freezer from Visit England came along to update us on the latest exciting plans for promoting our lovely country for the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and the events leading up and including the summer of 2012.
- Mallory Court Hotel, Warwickshire
We were treated to mouth watering home made biscuits, a delicious lunch and then delightful delicate cakes with afternoon tea.
Whether you are staying at one of our charming Farm Stay Self Catering Cottages or Farmhouse B&Bs, or enjoying fine dining at somewhere like Mallory Court, we are all trying to offer the best guest experience.
We have some new properties for you to enjoy in the Heart of England:
Foxtwood Cottages in the glorious Staffordshire Moorlands – 7 stunning self catering cottages in 30 acres with a lakeside setting, environmentally friendly and peace and quiet.
Old Kennels Farm near Ledbury, Herefordshire – 6 delightful cottages on a small family run working farm
Hicks Farm near Presteigne – 2 secluded cottages on bordering Powys, Shropshire and Herefordshire complete with an indoor swimming pool.
As the days get longer and Easter isn’t far away, take a look and see what’s on offer. You might even find a bargain on the Special Offers page
We had a wonderful time at the NEC in November meeting you all and are pleased to announce the winners of our £100 daily prize draw:
Ms W – Alconbury, Cambridgeshire; Mrs B – Sandhurst, Surrey; Ms P – South Cerney, Gloucestershire;
Miss L – Halesowen, West Midlands; Mr P – Grantham, Lincolnshire
The Gift Vouchers are on their way to you in the post and can be used at any of our Self Catering or B&B Farm Stay properties throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and are valid for two years from date of issue. If you would like our 2012 brochure to help you choose where to stay you can order one here.
Our next outing at a Show is due to be Countrytastic at the Malvern Showground on 12 April – do come and say hello.
Its all looking good at the NEC for the 21st BBC Good Food Show, 23 – 27 November. Come and say hello to us in the Food Producers Village – we’re on Stand P18 along from M&S. We’ve got the Shaun the Sheep photoboard for the children (and adults who can’t resist) and you can find out from Farm Stay Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering members what wonderful things you can enjoy in the Heart of England.
We have an update from our member, Helen Hirons, who is cycling through the Rift Valley in Kenya at the moment in aid of Women V Cancer. Having done 100+km yesterday, and slightly shorter ride today they have a 20km hill to climb tomorrow. We’ll have the collecting tin on the stand for your spare pennies to add to the £10,000 that Helen and her two colleagues have already raised.
Blowing the cobwebs away at Housesteads on Hadrian's Wall
Taking time out at our AGM in Northumberland being held at Slaley Hall, we paid a visit to Hadrian’s Wall. Had a terrific visit to Vindolanda, the Roman Fort and Museum where Justin entertained us with some interesting facts about the archaelogy. Off then to Housesteads where we were able to get on a bit of the wall itself and blow the cobwebs away, and nearly a few hats! The views of the surrounding countryside are fantastic.
Its National Sausage Week and as the nights draw in and morning fuel is one of the most important meals of the day take a look at one of our latest podcasts celebrating the wonderful experience you will have enjoying a Farm Stay Breakfast:
The Poplars Newbold on Stour
