A New Blog Page has been Created

We've changed our blog page! Follow us atwww.facebook.com/parkhillfarmblog for regular updates about the farm, our animals and upcoming activities!.    We hope you will visit our Face Book Blog.

Best wishes Pat and John

Piggy Pumpkin Parties

Piggy Pumpkin Parties are coming soon to Park Hill Farm

The concept is simple.  What do you do with your pumpkins once you have carved them?

Bin them of course, or you could recycle them and bring them to a Piggy Pumpkin Party.

The pigs love pumpkins/apples/bread/potatoes, and these are the gifts you bring for the piggies.
But of course, the piggies will normally play with their edible presents, which shows children that farm animals can't live in a sterile environment, they need enrichment in their life.

Once you have met the piggies, then give a piggy a pumpkin, and in return you will get lots of balloons.

There are so many lessons to be learned, in such a fun way, why not book a private party for your children and friends, or join in on parties we arrange?

Price £2 per child.

DATES  - October half term, and other dates to suit you.

Call 07966 460312, or e-mail beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk to book.

Park Hill Farm: WOODLAND RAMBLE THIS COMING SATURDAY

Park Hill Farm: WOODLAND RAMBLE THIS COMING SATURDAY: Park Hill Farm , Hales, Nr Market Drayton is getting ready for its first autumn activity – a Woodland Ramble followed by soup and a roll ...

WOODLAND RAMBLE THIS COMING SATURDAY

Park Hill Farm, Hales, Nr Market Drayton is getting ready for its first autumn activity – a Woodland Ramble followed by soup and a roll for those aged over 10 years old, which is this SATURDAY, the 22^ND September.

Patsy Pimlott of Park Hill said “with the schools into the third week, and summer slipping away, we have a great activity day for older families and those without children. This year we are including soup and a roll lunch, with meat from the Park Hill Farm shop for those taking part. Soup for vegetarians will also be served.  This will be our first event this autumn, and places are filling up as people look for something new to do to at weekends.   

“Dogs on leads are very welcome, and the walk takes in some of the most breathtaking views of the Staffordshire/Shropshire countryside. The terrain will be hilly and uneven, and the walk will be about 3 hours.  It is quite strenuous in places, however, the pace will be steady, and there will be places where cars can come and collect those who are unable to complete the walk.

“The walk has a booking fee of £5 per person, and for safety reasons, places need to pre-book by telephone (07966 460312).  Walkers need to be dressed for walking in all weathers and landscapes and bring water bottles.”

We look forward to seeing you then.

Woodland Ramble followed by Soup and a roll

At Park Hill Farm, Hales. TF9 2QA

Saturday 22nd September 2012




Admission £5 ea, payment in advance by debit card over the phone to 01630 652178



It feels like summer is slipping away, so lets stroll through the most glorious of countrysides, up hill and down dale, before it gets too cold to go for a long walk.
With hilly conditions, a couple of places will be suitable for collecting those of you who pull up lame, so bring your mobile phones.



We won't be going at any great pace, but we will be walking for at least a couple of hours.



Dogs welcome, but must be on a lead at all times.



10 years of age and over please.



Please circulate to your friends and rambling groups.



Booking is essential for catering purposes and also, just in case we have to cancel.
See you there!

Pat

Bank Holiday Monday - Family Fun Day on the Farm

Park Hill Farm, Hales, TF9 2QA, is holding a Family Fun Day on Monday 27th August, from 11 am - 3pm.

There is no entry charge and plenty of parking space.

• 

Hi, I'm one of 4 donkeys coming to give you a ride

• Flushing loos, and hot water to wash your hands are within close reach, so no need to worry about the children and germs etc.
• Marquees to sit under

Andy will be selling ice creams

Why not visit this farm - it has to much to offer today.

DON'T FORGET TO SEE ME, ME, ME!!!!!

• Home made barbecue
• Cakes, teas and coffees
• Donkey rides
• Tractor and Trailer rides

• Gluten free cake making for the children - cake bake and take
• Follow the Beatrix Potter Trail
• Try your hand at pond dipping
• See the lovely animals, cows, calves, pigs, piglets, chick and chickens, and lambs
• Also, there will be some stalls to browse

Its a great day out in the country, where children can explore with parents, and just have a great "chill out" experience.  All will go home tired but happy!

Any queries, tel 07966 460312

See you here on Bank Holiday Monday.

Pat and John Pimlott

Farm Wins RSPB Farming Award

How great is this, we are Highly Commended in the RSPB award for how farms interact with birds.  This shows that we farm in harmony with the environment - and also manage to produce fantastic beef and pork for sale through our farm shop.  So proud of John and Amelia for doing all this.

Mini Beast Hunt On Thursday August 9th

Thank you, yes I have confused you.   The mini beast hunt is THURSDAY, not WEDNESDAY this coming week.


Date is 9th August, and yes you do need to book please, so that I can also confirm you have the right date.  All details are on this blog  www.parkhillfarm.blogspot.com, including the right date!


Just 4 places remaining.


See you there.

Farm Shop has lovely discounts today

Its Sunday and the farm shop has succulent beef, gammon, bacon & sausage ready for you.
Also, have you tried our discount box, available at the shop only?
See you today!
Pat and John

Stone Farmers Market Saturday 4th August

Just to let you know that we will be at Stone Farmers market on Saturday with our lovely South Devon Beef and Oxford Sandy and Black bacon and sausages, and gammon.


Hope to see you there.


If you need anything putting to one side, then give John a call on the mobile  07966 460312.


See you there!


Pat

Mini Beast Hunt

Date 9th August  2012 – Thursday

Time    11 am -12.30 pm

Event         - Mini Beast Hunt and Pollinator Survey

Entry Charge   - £2.50 including barbecue

Age Range      5 – 12 years old

BOOKING DETAILS – Booking is ESSENTIAL and parents MUST STAY with children

Clothing          Wellies or outdoor shoes and sun hat are essential

Event Details

A great family day out for all to enjoy.

Bug hunting in a specially selected area of the farm’s long grasses, and taking part in a farm survey to see what bugs are pollinating our flowers.

You will be able to sweep your nets into the fields’ long grasses and catch little mini beasts, take your “catch” back in bug hunting pots, and see what you have caught through the magnifying glass.   Identification charts will help you.

All items are supplied.

Barbecue is supplied at one item each.

Plenty of free parking, and not too difficult for a pushchair.

Lots of space to run about.

Wash hand basins, and toilets all supplied, to make you day enjoyable and safe.

Contact us for more information, BUT YOU MUST BOOK  - Health and Safety means numbers are strictly limited.

Mini Beat Hunt Tuesday 24th July

Hi

Our first event for the summer hols is a Mini Beast Hunt next Tuesday.   There is information in the post before this one, but just a reminder you need to book.

See you then, and its going to be hot, hot, hot!!

Forthcoming Events at Park Hill Farm

Events at Park Hill Farm, Hales, Nr Market Drayton, Shropshire.  TF9 2QA

Location          Park Hill Farm

                        Hales

                        Market Drayton

                        Shropshire                   TF9 2QA

Contact Details

                        Mrs P Pimlott

                        Tel 01630 652178

                        e-mail  beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk

                        Web site    www.parkhillfarm.blogspot.com

                       

Date 9^th August  2012 – Thursday

Time    11 am -12.30 pm

Event         - Mini Beast Hunt and Pollinator Survey

Entry Charge   - £2.50 including barbecue

Age Range      5 – 12 years old

BOOKING DETAILS – Booking is ESSENTIAL and parents MUST STAY with children

Clothing          Wellies or outdoor shoes and sun hat are essential

Event Details

A great family day out for all to enjoy.

Bug hunting in a specially selected area of the farm’s long grasses, and taking part in a farm survey to see what bugs are pollinating our flowers.

You will be able to sweep your nets into the fields’ long grasses and catch little mini beasts, take your “catch” back in bug hunting pots, and see what you have caught through the magnifying glass.   Identification charts will help you.

All items are supplied.

Barbecue is supplied at one item each.

Plenty of free parking, and not too difficult for a pushchair.

Lots of space to run about.

Wash hand basins, and toilets all supplied, to make you day enjoyable and safe.

Contact us for more information, BUT YOU MUST BOOK  - Health and Safety means numbers are strictly limited.

Date 15^th August  2012 – Wednesday

Time    11 am -12.30 pm

Event         - Pond Dipping Day

Entry Charge   - £2.50 including barbecue

Age Range      5 – 12 years old

BOOKING DETAILS – Booking is ESSENTIAL and parents MUST STAY with children

Clothing          Wellies and sun hat are essential

Event Details

A great family day out for all to enjoy.

Pond dipping on a specially made pond dipping platform, which is under canvas.

You will be able to sweep your nets into the water, take your “catch” back to the trays, and see what you have caught through the magnifying glass.   Identification charts will help you.

All items are supplied.

Barbecue is supplied at one item each.

Plenty of free parking, and not too difficult for a pushchair.

Lots of space to run about.

Wash hand basins, and toilets all supplied, to make you day enjoyable and safe.

Contact us for more information, BUT YOU MUST BOOK  - Health and Safety means numbers are strictly limited.

Date 27^th August 2012 – Bank Holiday Monday

Time    11 am -3 pm

Event         - Family Farm Fun Day

Entry Charge   - FOC

Event Details

A great family day out for all to enjoy.

Enjoy a tractor ride, see the piglets, lambs and calves, and try your hand at pond dipping.  We will be having some stalls, and the guide dogs will be coming. Perhaps you would like to bake a cake, or try some of the barbecue items.   Cups of tea and cake also for sale.

Today will also be gluten-free-friendly on the cake stall and cake bake and take stall.

4 Lovely Donkeys are booked to give you Donkey Rides.


Tractor and Trailer Rides.

Marquee shelter is available, with tables and chairs.

Plenty of free parking, and not too difficult for a pushchair.

Lots of space to run about.

Wash hand basins, and toilets all supplied, to make you day enjoyable and safe.

Contact us for more information, or just turn up on the day.

LAST PREPARATIONS FOR OUR OPEN FARM SUNDAY TOMORROW

We are nearly ready for our Open Farm Sunday, tomorrow, 17th June, 11 - 3pm.
If you get chance, please tweet this  and mention @OpenFarmSunday and @ppimlott.

• 11 Baby piggies are ready to see you as are 11 piggies that are about 9 weeks old!
• Most of the painting has been finished!  Almost all of the windows washed.
• All the strimming is completed.
• Thank you to those who have agreed to help us at the last minute.
• Tables are being put up under the marquees, so there will be shelter if it rains.
• BUT  the weather forecast is great for tomorrow.
• HERMES THE HEAVY horse is ready for her logging display.

We look forward to having a great day - and there is no entry fee.

Picnic Style Open Farm Sunday 17th June 2012

Sunday 17th June 2012 is OPEN FARM SUNDAY. This year it falls on Fathers' Day, so we are making the day extra special for DADS. You can order a picnic from us, bring your rug, and have a lovely lunch alfresco at our OPEN FARM SUNDAY.

If you are GLUTEN FREE, OR EVEN VEGERARIAN, YOU WILL FIND A LOVELY PICNIC TO ORDER.

Thursday 14th June is the last day to order your picnic.


Picnics will be made with Park Hill Farm produce where possible and if you need a gluten free picnic, then let us know in good time, and this will be arranged for you too.



Choose from

(A) Park Hill Picnic with Meat, or (B) Park Hill Veggie Picnic

(A) contains a Park Hill Roast Beef Sandwish and (B) contains an Park Hill laid egg sandwich

(A) contains 2 Park Hill Sausages and (B) contains 2 veggie sausages


(A) and (B) both contain a yoghurt, a piece of fruit and either an individual small orange juice carton or a small bottle of water.

Both picnics cost £6.00, and you can pre-order these by e-mail to beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk and pay for them by debit card over the phone. You will need to say how many of which type of picnics you require, and give your full name and address and a contact telephone number, so we can call you to arrange to take the payment. The picnic will be waiting for you, and all you need to do is to bring a rug.


For full details of our Open Farm Sunday please visit the Open Farm Sunday website and type in TF9 2QA to get our farm up.


We hope for a dry day, but tables and benches under marquees will be offered just in case!


We look forward to hearing from you and please do call Pat on 07429 690945 or John on 07966 460312 for further details.

Pond Dipping Help Needed

Natural England have had to let us down for Sunday 17th, our Open Farm Sunday.   They were going to be leading on the pond dipping.

So, we just wondered, if there are any offers of help available for pond dipping duties.

If you can help, do let us know, we would be very grateful.

Many thanks Pat

See What's Happening on 17th June at Park Hill Farm

OPEN FARM SUNDAY

PARK HILL FARM, HALES, MARKET DRAYTON. 

TF9 2QA  Tel 07966 460312

FOC  ENTRY

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 11.00 – 3pm

 Time                  Event

11.00                  Open – meet and greet with Barbara

Collect your goodies on arrival

Sign the comments book on departure

Collect your stickers before you go

Collect you CU passport stickers from Pat in the Farm Shop

ALL Displays are in the paddocks or stables

11.00 – 1.30       Meet the vets – possible tours

11.00 – 3.00       Staffs County Council Animal Health Stand

11.00 – 3.00       Activities and information

11.00 – 3.00       All day - home made delicious barbecue

11.00 – 3.00       Teas, juice and cakes

11.00 – 3.00       Under cover picnic area

11.00 – 3.00       Tour of the animals with John

11.00 – 3.00       Try some colouring

11.00 – 3.00       Cake bake and take – Gluten Free

11.00 – 3.00       Ice Cream Van if its hot

11.30 –  3.00      Trailer rides with John the tractor driver and Will your guide  – every  45 mins  from the paddock (hear him coming and get on board!)

11.45 and 1.45   Watch the Heavy Horse Display – PTO for info.

11.30 – 3.00       Park Hill Farm Shop in the Farm Yard

Activities starting on the farm

11.30 – 3.00       Pond dipping – make your way to the pond, see

                           what you can find! 

11.30 0 3.00       Try the Beatrix Potter Trail.

11.30 and then   Pollinator survey with Emma.   Meet in the Farm

Every hour         Yard, and go with Emma.  Everything is provided.

At half past.       Suitable for all ages and takes in a short walk.

                            

No previous experience necessary for any of the activities today.

An Insight Into Our World

The Lovely Becki cooking
 for last year's
 Open Farm Sunday

We have been part of a university course with media students filming the local food industry.

Hubby, John Pimlott, took part is several of the videos, and I paste a link to one that shows the lovely feeling Stone Farmers market gives to its traders and to the public.

Stone Farmers Market is on the first Saturday on the month, and its a great market, so do come if you can.   John does his barbecue, just the same as if he was cooking for your own birthday party etc.

Click below for the video to open.

Stone Farmers Market

Once the page opens, click on the left hand side of the slide bar to make it play.
You will see our lovely sausages about half way through.

NOW you will know why we love our job so much.

See you on the 17th June 2012 (11 - 3pm)  for our open day.

10 Baby Piggies

Just to say that 10 Piglets have been born, and they will be on show on Open Farm Sunday, 17th June, 11 - 3pm, at Park Hill Farm, Hales, Market Drayton, Shropshire. TF9 2QA

DO come, and you can order a picnic if you wish.

See you on the 17th

PARK HILL FARM EVENTS UPDATE

Thanks to Tina for updating our information on our events.

All the events are suitable for the family, and booking is via the farm e-mail if possible.

They may not be in date order, so scroll down to find the first event!

See you there.

Park Hill Family Events

SOMETHING NEW FOR OPEN FARM SUNDAY AT PARK HILL FARM

Its less than 3 weeks away to Open Farm Sunday, so here is a taster of one of the activities we will be doing.
We will be taking part in a national Pollinator Survey, and to see why please click on the web link.
Introduction to Pollinator Survey

We are all working hard getting everything ready.
Don't forget to order your picnics in advance, and to bring a rug.

See you on Sunday 17th June.

Pat and John

Interested in a Gluten-Free Network?

Just wondering if there is anyone local to us who would like to start a gluten-free network?   We have a family member who is coeliac, so thought it may be nice to get together with other families.

Let me know please through e-mail.

Many thanks
Pat

Lots To Do

Such a lovely day, and so much office work to do now I am feeling a bit better.  Starting work on the CLA Game Fair, and have just ordered leaflets showing our summer holiday activities.   Awaiting our Open Farm Sunday  leaflets.

We may need a couple of volunteers for Open Farm Sunday, 17th June, so if you can help, do get in touch please.

See you today for your sausages etc if you are close by.

Pat

Hot Day, Barbecue Style

Thinking of having a barbecue?  Sausages and Burgers, Spare Ribs, all in stock.
See you soon.

Great School Visit Today

Just to say a big thank you to the Country Trust for organising a great school visit today and one for tomorrow. Cathy Evans had to do so much work today because I am not 100%, so thank you Cathy.

All our Summer Events are Listed Below

Thank you to Tina, for listing these for us.  Book, and come if you can.

Summer Open Days    at Park Hill Farm, Hales, Market Drayton.

See you there.

SUPPORT FOR COELIACS AT PARK HILL'S OPEN FARM SUNDAY

GLUTEN FREE (lack of) AWARENESS WEEK  and OPEN FARM SUNDAY 17TH JUNE 2012

TIME  11 AM - 3PM

Last week, was the National Gluten Free Awareness Week, and Patsy Pimlott, Educational Co-Ordinator of Park Hill Farm, Hales, was surprised to find that there are no gluten free co-ordinators listed for either Cheshire or Shropshire; with the North Stafforshire group being the closest listed to Market Drayton.

With this is mind, and having a family member who is coeliac, Park Hill Farm has decided to make their OPEN FARM SUNDAY EVENT, on June 17^th, substantially gluten free.

Gluten free, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian picnics are available to pre-order in advance of the event.    Where possible, the picnic will contain Park Hill’s own ingredients, and any bought-in ingredients will be gluten free. 

Patsy said  “having a coeliac in the family is not a rare occurrence today, with more than one in every thousand being the possible figures for coeliac diagnosis.  Going out for the day can be a nightmare for parents of young children, as so many places are not aware of the cross contamination issues, such as breaded fish being cooked in the same oil as chips.  

“This year’s Open Farm Sunday is also FATHERS’ DAY, and so we thought it would be a nice touch for families to be able to treat dad on the day to a picnic.

“With this in mind, following our own very traumatic experience at the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast, we decided to support the Gluten Free Awareness Campaign with Park Hill’s  Open Farm Sunday Event.   The farm has been praised for the work it does with the community, and as the current COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS FOR ENTERPRISE, it seems this is one further way we can give families a happy time”. 

Open Farm Sunday is a national day across the UK, and so far, more than 200 farms have pledged to open their doors to the public.   A major attraction to Park Hill’s Open Farm Sunday event is the “Cake, Bake and Take” stand.  Ex-nurse, Sheila Pimlott, helps families mix the cake ingredients (all produced in farms in the UK), explaining where flour comes from etc, and then each child bakes their own cakes to take home.  This year the flour will be gluten free, and the cake stall will have a gluten free selection as well.   As usual, Park Hill will be opening the farm with families not incurring an entrance fee.

Patsy is also interested in hearing from other coeliacs who would be interested in forming a group in the Market Drayton area.  Further information for the Open Day can be found at www.parkhillfarm.blogspot.com and messages can be left on the new Park Hill Farm Face Book page, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY.

Information

Patsy and John Pimlott are involved with

Park Hill Farm -  the current holder of the Countryside Alliance National Award for Enterpise.    Winning this award for the way they farm their traditional breeds of cattle and pigs; the meat they sell at the farm shop, and the high quality educational visits and free open days they offer to the public.

Currently, the farm is in the last 4 of the Midlands area RSPB Award.

The farm is 130 acres of grassland, and its hedgerows, ponds and farm animals will all be playing a part in their Open Farm Sunday.

Patsy and John Pimlott have one daughter, Amelia, who is 11 and she has been a coeliac since the age of 3.

Contact Details

Patsy Pimlott

PR and Educational Visits Co-ordinator

Park Hill Farm

Hales

Market Drayton

Shropshire   TF9 2QA

Tel 01630 652178

(new) Face Book page   Park Hill Farm

Twitter   @ppimlott

EMAIL  beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk

Web blog  www.parkhillfarm.blogspot.com

John Pimlott

Farmer/Events Co-ordinator

as above

Tel 07966 460312

Coeliac UK can be contacted through

http://www.coeliac.org.uk

Open Farm Sunday can be contacted through

http://www.farmsunday.org

Picnic Style Open Farm Sunday 17th June 2012

Sunday 17th June 2012 is OPEN FARM SUNDAY.  This year it falls on Fathers' Day, so we are making the day extra special for DADS.    You can order a picnic from us, bring your rug, and have a lovely lunch alfresco at our OPEN FARM SUNDAY.

If you are GLUTEN FREE, OR EVEN VEGERARIAN, YOU  WILL FIND A LOVELY PICNIC TO ORDER.

Thursday 14th June is the last day to order your picnic.

Picnics will be made with Park Hill Farm produce where possible and if you need a gluten free picnic, then let us know in good time, and this will be arranged for you too.

Choose from

(A)  Park Hill Picnic with Meat, or  (B)  Park Hill Veggie Picnic

(A) contains  a Park Hill Roast Beef Sandwish              and  (B) contains an Park Hill laid egg sandwich
(A) contains 2 Park Hill Sausages                                  and (B) contains 2 veggie sausages

(A) and (B) both contain a yoghurt, a piece of fruit and either an individual small orange juice carton or a small bottle of water.

Both picnics cost £6.00, and you can pre-order these by e-mail   to beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk and pay for them by debit card over the phone.   You will need to say how many of which type of picnics you require, and give your full name and address and a contact telephone number, so we can call you to arrange to take the payment.   The picnic will be waiting for you, and all you need to do is to bring a rug.

For full details of our Open Farm Sunday please visit the Open Farm Sunday website and type in TF9 2QA to get our farm up.

We hope for a dry day, but tables and benches under marquees will be offered just in case!

We look forward to hearing from you and please do call Pat on 07429 690945 or John on 07966 460312 for further details.

Marketing Vacancy

Park Hill Farm, Hales, Market Drayton, Shropshire. TF9 2QA


Tel 01630 652178

E-mail beef@parkhillarm.co.uk

Vacancy - Voluntary Marketing & Project Support Assistant

The Business

Main industry is farming, but have diversified into educational visits, and farm shop

Award winning family farm, farming pedigree suckler cows and pigs for supplying the farm shop. Own meat is sold at farmers' markets, shows and the farm shop. Also has an educational strand welcoming schools and groups to teach about food, farming, environment etc.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a Marketing/Media/Business Studies Graduate to gain experience within a small business based in the village of Hales, Market Drayton. Our location is within Staffordshire, but our postal address is Shropshire!.

As a volunteer for this marketing/project support internship you will be supporting the owner of the company with:

Raising awareness and making the maximum opportunities of the farm winning the UK and Ireland National Countryside Alliance Award for "Enterprise", through a marketing campaign which should include:


- Locating and making press contacts

- Inviting the press to meet the owners

- Preparing press releases

- Updating website

- Using other medias - such as DVD, and speaking to radio stations

- Arranging opportunities to work with other medias and working partners as and when possible

- Keeping in contact with customers

- Develping social networking sites for the owners and preparing a social media strategy



Helping increase the number of educational visits to the farm via press releases etc

Assisting with small group visits and Open Days

Making telephone calls and sending e-mails and letters

Assisting at shows and farmers markets to promote the good work of the farm

Outcome

The outcome will be increased awareness of the educational strand to the farm, and also the environmentally friendly meat that we produce, resulting in a platform for increasing our database and business.

Skills required

Happy to "have a go" and take the project forward attitude


• Good communication skills and being able to communicate with a variety of people

• Flexible

• Able to work off your own initiative, and use the Web for research from your own home sometimes

• Familiar with MS Office, E-mail, Internet

• Able to "Tweet" and use "Face Book" to a level to promote the business

• Willing to undertake website work, and work with our website designer

• Willing to learn how to upload to You Tube etc

• Passionate to help people and be able to assist with people with disabilities who may visit farm

Location

The farm is located between Loggerhead and Market Drayton, which is on a main bus route. Would be happy to collect from bus stop.


You will need Access to your own transport and driving licence, or willingness to catch a bus

How to apply

e-mail Pat Pimlott on beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk please with your CV, stating why this vacancy will be mutually beneficial.

Some expenses will be paid.

Getting Busy for Taster Day

Cooking is going well for our taster day.   Hope Radio Stoke will say something beforehand.    John and Amelia are on Stafford Farmers' Mkt, and I think I need to get some tidying up done.   However, my printer has just broken - no lights!!   I suppose we had better buy another one!

See you tomorrow about 11 am.

Pat and John

Buying Bucks Fiz

John is going to buy some Bucks Fiz for Sunday.   

Do join us at our Celebration Day.

See you from 10.30 onwards on Sunday 15th April.

Celebration and Taster Day, Sunday 15th April 11 am

These little piggies will be on show on Sunday.

We have put the marquee up, so come along and be part of our special day.

We are cooking 4 dishes, so you can try our Park Hill Beef at its best.

Some dishes will be gluten free.

Please bring your friends to share in our big day.

See you Sunday.

Updates - Opening times and Taster Day

Just to say that all 11 piggies appear to be doing well, and Amelia's chicks are due to hatch on Wednesday.

We shall be open on Saturday and on Sunday it is out Taster Day.

Taster day starts at 10.30 when the shop opens, and at 11 - 12 we should be offering some tasters.

At 12, we will be raising mugs and glasses to you all for all your kind words which enabled us to win our award.

We think we have had about 400 good wishes following our award, how fantastic is that for a small organisation!

We look forward to seeing you all, and your friends.

Celebration and Tasting Day Invitation

COME AND HELP CELEBRATE OUR BIG DAY -  YOU ALL MADE IT HAPPEN FOR US


What – Celebration and Tasting Day

When - Sunday 15th April 2012

Where – Park Hill Farm, Hales. TF9 2QA

Time – 10.30 am – 1pm Charges – Free of Charge entry and tastings



WHAT’S HAPPENING


10.30 - Shop Opens – Fresh supplies will be in

11 – 12ish – Award Winning Beef - Recipe Tastings and chance to speak about how to cook your meat

12ish – We shall be raising a mug/glass to you all for voting for our special farm

Then a tour of the 11 baby piglets and lambs – feed the lambs if you wish



• Let’s hope for some nice weather!

• Look forward to seeing our friends and meeting new friends on the day.

• More information from the farm’s blog www.parkhillfarm.blogspot.com or Pat Pimlott’s FaceBook page or by telephone 01630 652178

Order you Tasty Beef or Succulent Pork for Easter

New supplies just arriving - so place your order for home delivery - this is free if local.

Make sure you have a lovely meal over Easter, and why not Shop Local from an Award Winning Farm!!!

See us at Market Drayton Farmers Market, Sunday 1stApril 10 - 2pm

Just to let you know that Sharon Fox-Bryne has arranged a great farmers market in Market Drayton tomorrow, and we shall, with another 30 stalls, be there.

See you if possible, as we are taking orders for Easter now.

April 15th 2012 - Celebrations and Tasting Event

Come to our tasting and celebration event on April 15th.

There will be fresh supplies of beef and sausages, along with some lovely dishes to try.

Round it off with a drink and a toast to yourselves for making Park Hill Farm, the Award winning farm it is.

Times are

10.30 shop opens

11.00 start the tastings until 12ish when we will raise a mug or glass to you all.

Then a tour of the little piggies, and feed the lambs.

Let me know if you can come and do invite your friends to help the day go well.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Patsy and John

Park Hill Farm: 11 Little Piggies Remain

Park Hill Farm: 11 Little Piggies Remain: It's been a harrowing few days, with Piggy No 13 having to go to the vets, and had to be put down, and piggy No 12 being in the kitchen, bef...

Park Hill Farm: Baby Piggies Born

Park Hill Farm: Baby Piggies Born: Last night, 13 baby piggies were born.  Photo to follow.

11 Little Piggies Remain

It's been a harrowing few days, with Piggy No 13 having to go to the vets, and had to be put down, and piggy No 12 being in the kitchen, before getting better, only to die the next day.

All 11 appear to be getting about OK, and we have left the lamp on them just in case it gets cold at nights.

On the 15th April we will be having an Tasting and Celebration Day, so they will be there!

See you all soon.

Latest News

The farm is looking lovely with  the sun, and so I have put together a photo slide show for you to see the farm in all seasons. Enjoy the link at the top of the page.

Baby Piggies Born

Last night, 13 baby piggies were born.  Photo to follow.

See all about the Awards here

Rural Oscars - results and a film
Winners of Rural Enterprise UK & Ireland Champions is Park Hill Farm, Hales, Market Drayton, Shropshire 01630 652178 www.parkhillfarm.co.uk
I thoroughly enjoyed the winners' reception of the Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed the "Rural Oscars", at Parliament yesterday. The terrace room of the House of Lords was packed with regional champions from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, all celebrating their titles and keen to know if they were about to take the UK & Ireland Champion title too.

Countryside Alliance Chairman Kate Hoey MP announced the UK & Ireland Champions across five categories and our film crew was there to capture the action. You can watch a short film at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6BjSOsKlqs

Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in the 2011 Awards, you have helped to make them a true celebration of our countryside, with positive media coverage to match. The fact that we had two Defra representatives on hand to help present the prizes is a testament to how prestigious and important the Awards have become in their seven years of existence.

Defra Minister Richard Benyon MP said the day was "a great celebration of the best of British rural life. The winners of these awards have really made a difference to their local community either through boosting local businesses, protecting the natural environment or supporting a thriving rural community. It's been a privilege to share their success with them."

Mr Benyon and Lord Taylor of Holbeach were fulsome in their support and congratulations to our champions which is praise indeed. I am extremely proud to introduce to you the UK & Ireland Champions of 2011.

Barney White-Spunner
Executive Chairman

Thank you for Voting for Us

On Wednesday, at the House of Lords, all you kind words of support and praise were seriously taken into account.



Your comments about the "best beef ever" and "lovely to see rare breed pigs" etc, together with comments such as "lets us townies into their home", were all carefully looked at behind the scenes.



On Wednesday, the Countryside Alliance, UK and Ireland Award Winners for Enterprise went, thanks to you all, to PARK HILL FARM.



We can't believe it. Thank you.

See us on the Alan Titchmarsh show on Thursday 8th March

John has received a call from ITV1, and we are going to London to chat to Alan Titchmarsh for his show. Not live thank goodness.

So new frock and shoes for Pat - a first for Pat to be in a dress!

Look out for us - we can't believe that Alan would want to meet with us!

Countryside Alliance Awards

We are proud to say that we have won the Midlands Regional Award for "Enterprise" within the Countryside Alliance Awards.

This means that the users of Park Hill Farm, whether buying meat, or using the educational facilities, have voted for us and put us forward for this award.

We shall visit the House of Lords for a Celebration with other winners.

We are on CLOUD NINE and cannot thank our customers enough for their kind words.

We will let you know how we get on!