Tag: Shropshire Pork

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

Newsletter No 12

WELCOME

A very warm welcome to all our followers and to our new followers. Its a brand new year, and we have already had most of January working on the farm as opposed to working with the meat.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ON THE FARM and BEYOND

It’s the time of year that the cows calve. However, despite John having a few sleepless nights, we have had the builder in, and a new shed is being built to keep the younger animals in during the winter.

FEBRUARY’S SPECIAL OFFERS AND LAST ORDER DATES

I have updated the website with some special offers. We have put 3 of the meat boxes on special offer so check out https://parkhillfarm.co.uk/farm-shop/meatboxes/ – and we have also put topsides and stewing steak on offer. Make the most of Covid being nearly over and see your friends for a home cooked meal. We prefer orders through the website and if it’s over £50 we deliver for free. This month we will be delivering those orders on the 6th February all being well.

If you have a standing order with us for meat, we will continue to deliver until we hear from you. If you wish to set up a standing order for meat, then please get in touch, and we will put it to one side before we go to Stone Farmers Market on the 5th February. If possible we would like to receive orders by the 25th January, so our butcher can cut the joints for you.

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

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

Above are the special set of twins, both heifers, and both so feisty. Being the size of a large Labrador, they were quite small, which was lucky, as they were born during that very bad storm, when John wasn’t here. Gypsy, who is our oldest cow aged 15, brought herself into the strawed barn, and when I went outside, they were both there, with Gypsy looking absolutely mystified.

VACANCY

We will be needing extra staff this year, as so many events clash. If you know a young person, who is hard working, polite, and wanting an occasional job on a Saturday, then please get in touch by email. The work is mainly over the summer holidays, and sporadic, but transport and uniform are provided.

Posted on by

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