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.
Dogs and sheep do mix. Reg the Border Terrier, our new photogenic friend.
Reg the border Terrier
A lovely day on Friday at the Game Fair. The dogs seemed to outnumber the people and were being very well behaved. Gil Espley, who was our Chairman from 1989 – 1994 came by with husband, Mike to say hello. Farm Stay members from the local Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire B&B’s and Self Catering took time out from their busy days to spend some time on the stand with us. As usual the kids took great advantage of the Shaun the Sheep photoboard, and some of the adults entered into the fun.
Come and see us today and enter our Free Daily Prize Draw to win £100 of Farm Stay gift vouchers, collect our latest brochure and our great Shaun the Sheep activity packs for the children, and find out about our great Shop & Eat Local campaign with Big Barn.
Gil and Mike Espley
Sitting in the conservatory at Hill Grove Farm, where Katharine provides homely B&B and Self Catering, as the evening sun casts its rays I have an uninterrupted view across the Windrush Valley and the Oxfordshire countryside. The river meanders its way through the pasture below as the cows graze peacefully in the evening sun. The donkeys are fed, a pheasant cackles nearby and the wood pigeon coo’s in the tree just outside. Sleep will be no problem at all tonight and I can’t wait for breakfast – Katharine has a Breakfast Award.
This is the essence of Farm Stay – Wake Up to the Heart of the Country!
View across Windrush Valley from Hill Grove Farm
We’re all looking forward to the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace this weekend. You will find us near Entrance A in between the British Food Fair and the Elegant Gardens. Come and see what great B&B and Self Catering we offer at all kinds of farm and country properties. Kids have your photo taken with Shaun the Sheep and get one of our super Shaun activity packs.
Wake up to the Heart of the Country
Well done Tricia on being awarded the coveted Enjoy England Breakfast Award. One of several people in Worcestershire to have this award for providing excellent breakfasts – look out for the red egg cup logo. Tricia and David have been members of Farm Stay for many years and they provide welcoming Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering cottages at Phepson Farm at Himbleton near Droitwich.