West Midlands
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
Adam Henson with Farm Stay fans
Many of us in the Heart of England had a lovely day for our Regional meeting at Cotswold Farm Park this week, including a good look round where “Humble” the Ewe was about, and Adam Henson took a few minutes from his very busy schedule to say hello.
We enjoyed some delicious sausage baps for lunch from the Farm Park’s Gloucester Old Spot pigs with some Bensons Apple Juice and delicious cakes.
Where's our breakfast!
Our very first horse guests, Anya and Marble, enjoyed a self catering holiday with us near Worcester at The Barn, Beechcroft last week…. with their owners of course! Exploring various Bridleways in the locality and the open space of Kempsey and Stonehall Commons they returned after each ride to graze in the paddock, and relax at night in the stable. Every morning when I looked out of my bedroom window they would look up and whinny a ‘good morning’.
Anya and Marble on Kempsey Common, Worcester
They have promised to return next year to explore rides further afield such as Wyre Forest, The Malvern Hills, Castlemorton Common and Bredon Hill.
Alison, Helen and Jane
Helen Hirons of The Durrance B&B and Self Catering Cottages near Bromsgrove is doing the Women V Cancer 400km bike ride in Kenya in November together with her friends, Alison Griffiths and Jane Fellowes. Training is going well and all three are on form and not suffering any injuries.
Some of the ladies in the Farm Stay Worcestershire group got together to put on Sunday Lunch to help raise funds. Marion and Roger Morris of Tippins Farm, Upper Sapey very kindly offered their barn for the event and were also complete stars and donated the ingredients for the main course.
Delicious Desserts
Marion and her colleagues took on the catering with some delicious desserts being provided by the Worcestershire group and other ladies attending the lunch. The rain held off, just, and everybody enjoyed a welcoming tipple of Pimms cocktail, or Barbara’s creation of a non alcoholic Elderflower cocktail followed by lunch and the compulsory raffle.
At the end of the day we raised £742.40 and that has been added to the £200 raised at various shows Farm Stay has attended via public donation, and they have already raised over £5500 by putting on an “Out of Africa” party in July.
You can donate via the Just Giving website.
For more information about the event visit the action for charity site:
Harewood Park, is situated in a quiet valley between Hereford and Ross on Wye, a 900 acre estate which the Duchy of Cornwall bought in May 2000. All members who came along had an enjoyable and very informative afternoon..
We had a lovely time at the Game Fair this last weekend introducing people to the wonderful Farm B&Bs and Self Catering cottages in Farm Stay and, as usual, much fun was had with our Shaun the Sheep photoboard. Oh, and the dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes some of whom really did bear a strong resemblance to their owners – or is it the other way round? My favourite of the show had to be Reg the Border Terrier who was a star and had his photo taken with Shaun.
If you didn’t get to the Game Fair, we shall be at the Pembrokeshire County Show 16 – 18 August so do come and say hello, or we will also be at BBCGoodFood at the NEC, Birmngham 23 – 27 November.
