Another busy week! When is it not?! Some of our young Saddleback pigs decided to go walkabout the other day. A gate was inadvertently left open and the pigs were not where they were supposed to be in the morning. After a bit of a panic, we went out on the farm to search for them. It didn’t take long – they were found stuffing their faces on acorns under rather a large oak tree! The problem now was how to lure them into the trailer when they weren’t hungry. We managed to get them to the ramp of the livestock trailer and some of them went in. As we tried to close the gate, one of them made a dash for it and the others followed. This happened a second time and they went scampering away across the field. We then decided that we would have to leave them alone so we parked the trailer with the ramp down, left plenty of feed and a big cosy bed of straw and hoped that they would want to have a sleep once they had tired of their adventuring.
We went back a few hours later and they were still at large. What were we to do? Leaving them out was not an option, as they could get onto the road or into neighbours’ gardens. Have you seen the mess pigs make when they start rooting around with their noses? Anyway, it just so happened that one of our neighbours, that day, had some windfall pears to dispose of from their garden. We were dropping them around to the different groups of pigs and put a few in the trailer. Lo and behold, that was just what these runaways wanted. They ran straight in the trailer and we quickly put the ramp up. We then got them back to their winter quarters in a corner of the cattle yard, where they promptly fell asleep in a big heap of pigness. Now, we do like to have our animals as free range as possible, and we give them every opportunity in the winter to have plenty of space and excercise but outside in the fields when it’s so wet and boggy is not ideal.
This group of pigs may be seen wandering around the yard next to the car park when you visit the shop (with the gate closed!)
Farm Shop & Farmers’ Market News Thank you to everyone who came out to support us at Ripley and Wallington Farmers’ Markets in the freezing cold. Your custom means so much to us and makes standing there for a few hours worthwhile!
For the first time, we will be attending a new market – Ted’s Market at Teddington on 31st January. The event will take place at The King’s Head Pub Car Park, 123 High Street, Teddington TW11 8HG, open from 9:30 to 1:30. We will be stocked with beef, pork, chicken and pies.
This weekend, we have fresh beef, bacon and eggs and everything else is available from the freezer. We still have some of our slow-grown, pasture-raised chicken in stock – fresh will be next available from late May. Our turkey pieces and brisket joints are still discounted with 15% off from the freezer – look out for the yellow labels. Our Ruchita- made curries are frozen this week, with more freshly made next week. Jonathan Crump’s Cheese
We have some wonderful cheese for sale in the shop – from Jonathan Crump in Gloucester. Jonathan, who grew up in Outwood, now farms in Standish, Gloucestershire. He has a small herd of Gloucester cows, a rare breed characterised by a distinctive white stripe down their backs that extends to their tails. The double and single Gloucester cheese, made from raw milk and a vegetarian rennet, is available in pre-packed slices or as whole or half cheeses. Samples will be on offer in the shop this weekend.
After the success of Open Barn Saturday just before Christmas, we will be doing it again on 7th February, when Ceramic Fitch and Batts Hill will also be open. Come along and see the cattle and pigs in the barn and talk to the farmer(me!) about what we do, why we keep the cows & pigs in the barn in the winter, what we feed them and any other questions you may have.
Dates For Your Diary
- 25th January – Earlswood Farmers’ Market
- 31st January – Teddington Farmers’ Market
- 7th February – Open Barn Saturday
- 8th February – Lingfield Farmers’ Market
- 14th February – Ripley & Wallington Farmers’ Markets
Keep warm & dry
See you soon
Penny