MP and Tory Chief Whip, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, visited Hoe Grange Holidays on 16 March, 2012, on a tour of local tourism businesses in the Derbyshire Dales as part of National Tourism Week.
“Patrick looked around our award winning, self catering log cabins and was interested to discuss the tourism industry at grass roots level. He was particularly interested in how we attract guests by offering specialist facilities for two niche markets; guests with accessibility requirements and guests bringing their own horses on holiday to explore the fabulous Peak District countryside. We explained that both groups are very loyal and often return or recommend us to friends.
We took the opportunity to raise a few issues with Patrick, including the poor state of rural broadband provision and funding for tourism in general. Tourism is an expanding and important sector in the UK economy, which generates £97billion each year, employs in excess of two million people and supports thousands of businesses, both directly and indirectly. A vast number of these businesses are small family run concerns like ours, and need help to grow and continue to be successful.
We liked his suggestion of a more joined up way of Visitor Attractions working directly with accommodation providers, to give better value for money to our guests.
Patrick was also interested in our extensive use of renewable energy, taking time to look at our solar tracking system. The system has produced an impressive 610kwh of electricity since December, and we explained our plans to install a wind turbine.
The MP went on to visit other tourism businesses in the Derbyshire Dales area, before arriving at Tissington to re-open the newly refurbished Coach House tea rooms. We discovered that the new layout and facilities at the tea room are ideal for our guests with wheelchairs or pushchairs and can now confidently recommend them to everyone.”
David and Felicity Brown
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
Monday involved a gentle trot over to Newmarket, not for the races, but a good trip all the same and always impressed by the manicured lawns of the racecourses. Then Tuesday was a plane ride over the snow-capped hills of England before being greeted with a back-lit Edinburgh from the air which provided inspiration for the day.
Next was onto Murrayfield, sadly not for the rugby but the excellent Scottish Tourism Alliance Conference where the day was stolen by Sir Brian Souter from StageCoach and supported ably by Stephen Leckie of Crieff Hydro. Sir Brian was as profound as he was funny and if he is ever on the bill – GO!
Two messages for 21st Century business, 1) If you don’t make friends you don’t make money; 2) understand both the mechanics as well as the dynamics of your business.
A tour across Edinburgh led us to a reception in the Scottish Parliament building nestled against the impressive Arthur’s Seat. Returning to the countryside, opening the curtains the next morning presented a magnificent sunrise from my superb lodge at Airhouses. This was equally matched by the view from my room at Bilton Barns above Alnmouth looking across the Northumberland coast and out to sea at sunset. Lunch at Amarone in the heart of Edinburgh (Caesar salad with Carpaccio) was excellent, I’d certainly return and the train ride along the east coast of Scotland is not to be missed.
Friday was quieter, Stratford Upon Avon to hear about Bill’s (Shakespeare) impact on local tourism before the Houses of Parliament on Monday!
Someone has to do it,
Andy
Farm Stay Scotland members and Chief Executive Andy Woodward with Stephen Leckie, Chair of Scottish Tourism Alliance
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.
For anyone who didn’t pick up a copy of the latest Farmers Guardian you might not know that it featured Sue and Leah, from Harrop Fold Farm. The write-up was all about the Best of British Food, something which features at the core of every Farm Stay UK member’s ethos. The full-page feature was Sue and Leah’s debut as food editors for the publication, and included a picture of the pair in the kitchen that Leah uses for her cookery courses.
The mother and daughter team have together ‘embarked on creating a quintessentially English experience thanks to an impressive package which incorporates farm life and food’. Take a look at the article here and check back in a week or two for their first column.
Andy
The Great Nottinghamshire Tea Party
- Sheepish cup cakes
In celebration of English Tourism Week Farm Stay Nottinghamshire group members together with the Notts Farm Tourism Group have organised The Great Nottinghamshire Tea Party to promote rural tourism in our lovely county.
The event will be taking place on Wednesday 14th March from 2.30pm until 4pm at Patchings Farm Art Centre, Oxton Road, Calverton, Nottingham, NG14 6NU www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk
We shall be serving complimentary tea and cakes, each cake promoting particular locally sourced ingredients: Tuxford Mill muesli and Edwinstowe Chocolate for example. We shall also be highlighting local producers, farm bed and breakfast and self catering properties in Nottinghamshire, local farm attractions and farm shops.
Andy Woodward, Farm Stay’s Chief Executive will be there along with Experience Nottinghamshire’s Jennifer Spencer.
Do come and join us!
The All Day Big Breakfast at Bucklawren Farm was again a huge success. The locally produced breakfast was enjoyed by 210 people and there was great interest in the Shelterbox Tent erected on the front lawn. Robert and Jean Henly were delighted by the generosity of all those who attended, resulting in a magnificent total of £2600 raised of which St Martins Church, Looe will benefit by £1000, Rotary Shelterbox £1050 and Childrens Hospice South West £550.
Many thanks go to the band of hard working helpers from Cornish Farm Holidays and The Rotary Club of Looe Valley.
Yorkshire Farm Stay members have got together to create even more ways to enjoy the countryside and make the most of a stay in their Farm Stay accommodation. Here’s just a taster of what’s available.
Get stuck in to the countryside on working farms in Yorkshire this Summer
Get your ‘hands dirty’ this summer by heading to the beautiful Yorkshire countryside for a nostalgic break with a difference. Stay on a working farm and rub shoulders with the animals. Get to grips with the countryside by gathering and eating the freshest produce and take part in a whole host of rural pursuits.
See exactly where your food comes from
Staying on one of our working farms gives you a great opportunity to see exactly where your food comes from just before it arrives in delicious abundance on your plate. Humble Bee Farm and Rawcliffe House Farm allow you to work up an appetite for breakfast by gathering eggs still warm from the hens.
Cut down on food miles
Stay local – shop local. Leave the supermarket behind and indulge yourself with tasty treats straight from the farm by ordering a breakfast hamper from Layhead Farm Cottages. Enjoy Caroline’s delicious home baked goods at the Grade II listed Cundall Lodge Farm. Tuck into bread made with home milled flour at Crakehall Watermill and enjoy homemade sausages at Pickersgill Manor Farm.
Relax
Get away from it all by relaxing in any one of our idyllic country settings. Sample the great outdoors in style at Humble Bee Farm by opting for one of their ‘Glamping Packages’. Little extras such as bunting, fairy lights, fire pit with toasted marshmallows, wine and chocolates are guaranteed help you start relaxing as soon as you arrive.
Pamper yourself at Cundall Lodges by booking one of their restful beauty treatments – no better way to relax at the end of a day’s walking. Or leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy life’s simple pleasures at Carr House Farm where you can step into the beautiful views, listen to the birds and smell the wild flowers all from their doorstep.
Learn a new skill
Visit Taste the Wild near Cundall Lodge Farm to learn how to forage for food or try a woodland craft. Strap on your helmet and explore the beautiful countryside near Low Skibeden House on two wheels. Or follow in the footsteps of smugglers by exploring the coastline near Smugglers Rock Country House. You can even join a shooting party at Newton Grange Farm.
De-stress
A visit to the countryside allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and occupy yourself with some good old fashioned rural pursuits. You can try pony trekking, golf and fishing near Swainstye Farm Holiday Cottages. Or visit the British Horse Society Horse and Pony Trials near Newton Grange Farm.
Digital detox
Take advantage of the countryside by stepping into the ‘view’ and finding out what lies behind it. Newton Grange Farm has the Pennine Way and Leeds to Liverpool Canal on their door step just waiting to be explored. Whilst Rawcliffe House Farm is set in a wildlife lover’s paradise with roe deer, badgers and many species of bird living nearby. Walk straight past the television in the lounge at Pickersgill Manor Farm and have a go at rug making. Or try the games room at Lingholm Farm Cottages.
Meet the locals
Roll up your sleeves and get up close and personal with the farm animals at The Grainary. Feed the chickens, pet the pigs and try out one of six wonderful nature walks designed by owners Lynda and John. Or become best of friends with Rawcliffe House Farm’s three pet pygmy goats, Pan, Perseus and Phoebus.
Bring the ‘whole’ family with you
You don’t have to leave anyone behind! Life Hill Farm wants you to holiday with your horse. They offer traditional stabling and a good sized paddock with views over wooded countryside. They also offer a dog sitting service should owners want to visit local towns or country houses without them. You can also pamper your pooch at Humble Bee Farm with a mouth-watering canine hamper service.
