Tag: ParkHillFarm

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Newsletter No 14

WELCOME

A very warm welcome to all our followers and to our new followers. It’s getting to that time of year when people order extra beef and pork from us, so start having those conversations about “who is cooking” on the big day!

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ON THE FARM and BEYOND

It’s that time, when cows need to be checked and fed special minerals if they are calving before Christmas.  John has a calendar of expected dates, so some of those extra jobs need to be done.  Hedge cutting, clearing the drive, making new doors, and patching the roof have all been done, but more jobs are still waiting to be started. 

On the accreditation side, we successfully had our Red Tractor Audit, and passed, with the proviso that we needed to replace 3 panes of cracked glass. We also had a clear bTB test, which I am so thankful for.  Nothing hurts more than seeing the girls going off because they have become innocent victims of this disease. Lastly, we also had a clear set of blood tests on the cows, so they are not harbouring any viruses or diseases that could be detected.

THE SHOW SEASON IS OVER

It’s hard to believe, but our catering and selling of fresh meat at shows in 2022 is almost over. This means it’s Christmas light switch ons, private party catering, and generally winding down as we reach the end of the year. Sounds idyllic, but in reality we will still be very busy with customers, and the farm of course.

FREE SCHOOL VISITS AVAILABLE FROM MAY 2023

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but we are offering free school visits, starting in May 2023. Natural England allow us 25 free visits per year, so please get in touch to see if we can help your school next year. Pond dipping is almost always the favourite activity, followed by stroking the pigs and cats.

LAST ORDER DATES

We have updated the website SO YOU SHOULD be able to order through it! A few gremlins crept in when we changed our website designer, so apologies to those who experienced difficulties. 

All the quarter pigs sold, but if it’s pork you need, you should contact us asap by email at beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk  We only have so many pigs/beef animals available before late November. Late November will almost certainly be our last abattoir date as the butcher has his own meat to get ready for the 23rd   December.

We go to Stone Farmers Market on the 5th November, so if possible we would like to receive orders by the 25th October so our butcher can cut the joints for you. Gammons take 3 weeks to cure, so please let us know asap about your gammon orders.

DON’T FORGET

IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE CUT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR on our website, you are very welcome to email beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk, or telephone/text John on 07966 460312 We will get it sorted for you!

 3 Pigs to Devon

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY   

Above are the special piglets that were 3 of the 4 pigs we took to Devon to start a breeding herd.  Their new owners are international chefs who have bought a small holding, and wanted rare breed pigs. 

They already have rare breed cattle on site, and John and I managed to get a night away on their farm, a paddle in the sea, and enjoy a lovely meal outside, overlooking the beach.  We were so lucky the weather held for us.  We think it is our first meal in a restaurant by the seaside since we got married.

EXPECTED DELIVERY DATES in NOVEMBER 2022

As usual, our free-of-charge home deliveries will take place after the farmers markets in November, (possibly on the 6th) and orders can be collected from the farm after the 7th, or from the Stone Farmers Market on the 5th Nov.

Unsubscribe – If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter please send an email to beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk, with unsubscribe in the subject line.

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Newsletter No 4

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER’S NEWSLETTER

We hope you will enjoy a little bit of farm news each month – something about the farm, and something about our beef and pork.

 NOVEMBER’S NEWS

This month, it’s all about Covid again.  Another lock   down – but we all need to keep going – whether its business or in our personal lives, and make the best of it.   For us it’s great to see the website picking up new orders – and its been our pleasure to do our free-of-charge home deliveries, to people still following “shielding” guidance,  and of course to everyone else who live within the 30 mile local delivery zone.  Covid permitting, we can also deliver to your work address. 

It’s so nice to hear that younger people have a renewed connection with how farm animals are looked after, and where their food comes from.   If you know someone who is really passionate about these values, do please introduce them to Park Hill Farm – we are always happy to show people around by appointment.

NOVEMBER’S SPECIAL OFFER.  PLEASE SUPPORT the SALVATION ARMY IF YOU CAN

We will be raffling a 5kg Family Shopper meat box voucher through the website to raise money for the Salvation Army (now known as Adullam Lifehouse in Stoke-on-Trent).   Tickets are for sale, at £3 ea through our website. This is ONLY the price of ONE coffee from Costa! Like so many homeless charities, they are working with some of society’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

If you wish to enter and are not in the free delivery area, you are welcome to come and collect at a time and date that suits you – up to January 2022. Hopefully we can raise some money for the homeless.

Felicity and Spotty with their calves November 2020

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

The maternity ward has several early calvers waiting in the wings.   To date, 2 cows have calved, both having bull calves that came safely, leaving mums and babies doing well, which is the aim.   We will be letting you know on Face Book as and when the next calvers give birth.   Quite often it can be in the middle of the night, so expect John to be having some interrupted sleep.

ORDER IN TIME FOR FRESH SUPPLIES

The new website takes online orders with automatic credit card payments, if you know exactly what beef you need then please use the website.     If it’s not on the website, just send us an email,   use the website enquiry form, or call us on 0745 0358 812.    The butcher will be doing his job very soon, so special orders need to be with us by the 25th November.   

DECEMBER’S order book is filling up.   Bacon, fillet steak and ribs of beef, are all nearly sold out.

In December our deliveries start on the Saturday the 5th  December 2020 at Stone Farmers Market, Covid permitting, and then area by area through the month.

We hope you enjoy hearing from us, but if you don’t, please email me with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject box and we won’t be in touch again

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Newsletter No 2

WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER

We hope you will enjoy a little bit of farm news each month – just enough to see what’s been going on, and also to ensure you get the head’s up when you can order our grass fed beef and pork.

This month’s news

We have been making steady progress with “technology” here during the Covid19 shutdown and beyond.

This has come in useful – With all our shows being cancelled, we have found that some shows and festivals have become “virtual” in 2020, including Shrewsbury Flower Show, The Ginger and Spice Festival and the Stone Food Festival.

We will be uploading the films we made for these festivals onto our website in due course, but they should be available for you to find on either their Facebook pages or their websites.

September’s special offer

Order £60+in September for a delivery in October and receive a code for £10 to put towards your November deliveries over £150.    This code will work with the website or directly with John
“Mary” and “Gorgeous” our new breeding sows

Every picture tells a story

With lovely weather still being felt at the end of August, we went to Devon for the weekend and to collect 2 new breeding pigs, “Mary” and “Gorgeous”. We also celebrated our 21st Wedding Anniversary on this trip!   Mary and Gorgeous have met their piggy husband, Harry, and we hope for piglets in January 2021.

 Order in time for fresh supplies

The new website takes online orders with automatic credit card payments, if you know exactly what beef you need!

As always, if you can order by the 26th of September, that helps our butcher, but we will always do our best whatever the date you contact us.  

In October our deliveries start on the Sunday the 4th, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Christmas ordering

Just a reminder that our fresh meat will be in the shop for very early December, and all orders need to be placed by the 20th November.  We will always do our best but some cuts do sell out early (ribs, fillet, sirloin). If you are short on freezer space, we can freeze your order for you until the 23rd,  or 30th December for New Year.