Background to the new venture

Hello Everyone, 

Firstly, may I say a huge thank you for all the messages we have received over the last few weeks. I am hoping that I have replied to everyone successfully. (This I did during the wet storms we have had this week, storm clouds brewing can be seen above). The messages of good luck, excitement for the new venture and, more importantly, understanding of our decision to step back from the box scheme temporarily were lovely to hear.

The decision was a difficult one, but for us the right one. I thought I would provide some extra background regarding the new venture - Alongside our box scheme we also deliver our produce to a number of exciting chefs and their establishments. We supply Anna at Cookhouse and Long Friday, which we will continue with. Well worth a visit if you are in The Ouseburn or Jesmond. We also supply Alex at Hjem which is not far from our farm. We have built up very good relationships with both chefs and it is a pleasure to be associated with people who are Michelin award winners.

The idea of working even more closely with Alex became reality when land was purchased to provide space for a brand new restaurant with accommodation. Plus…not a big plus but an enormous plus…a walled garden was right next door to the land bought. This has resulted in the opportunity to re establish a two hundred year old walled garden back to what it was created for. We have worked alongside English Heritage, following their guidelines and marrying them with extensive historical research by Bob. We intend to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers for the restaurant and hotel, recreating the original purpose of the walled garden which was to provide food for the Manor House and surrounding workforce. Bob and I could not say no!

All of this did not happen over night! Much thought, considerations, effort and decisions have obviously gone into the whole process. Dreams were being made, but was it going to be realistic to start this adventure? Well the answer has been a yes! The major challenge was always going to be the Planning Application. Eventually, planning was approved (best part of a year to wait). However there are twenty one conditions to be ‘discharged’ before we can truly say the planning application is fully approved. Bob has taken charge of ensuring the conditions are met. He has stepped back in time and taken up his old management role. If the conditions are not met then there will be no new venture to be had. Safe to say Bob is on the case.

I have always been a proud wife. Now watching Bob take up this role, because of his skill set, I am even more proud. However, the groups he is having to work with probably do not know what has hit them or about to hit them. When I say he is thorough, that is a total understatement. Bob’s mantra - Check. Check. And Check Again. Hilarious to think that the Gardener is pulling the plan together!

I have explained previously that our farm needs a re-set. So with the farm and the new venture, we are both delighted that you can see from our position…time is precious. We want to have a farm delivering the best produce we can grow. We also want to create a walled garden full of wonderful fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

I will take you along with us to see how everything grows…organically. 

Have a good week,

Ann👩🏻‍🌾