Christmas Nick 13/10/2013
Once again we will be selling fantastic free range turkeys, geese and other poultry from Russell Candy's farm near Trowbridge. Let us have your order form before Thursday 12th December, and pick up from the shop on the day of your choice.
Apple Day, Saturday 26th October Nick 2/10/2013
We will be giving free tastings of cider, cheese, pickles and lots of apple varieties all day. There will be a pork roast with apple sauce at lunchtime.
Fruit & Veg Nick 17/7/2013
We are nearly at the end of the asparagus, but the good news is that we are getting some really nice, interesting fruit and vegetables grown by John Rowswell at Barrington: Cherries, apricots, broad beans, new potatoes etc..
Royal Forestry Society Visit Nick 24/5/2013
As part of their annual whole society meeting, we hosted the RFS on 17 May. By chance we emphasised the serious commercial nature of the woods by watching a lorry load of large Douglas Fir logs leave the wood as we entered. They all seemed taken by the quality of the trees, and we may have made a few converts to Continuous Cover Forestry.
Doh! a deer Sara 28/3/2013
The doe season ends next week, so the deer brought in today will probably be the last one for some time. Fresh venison in the shop this weekend.
Bonham Road Closure Nick 16/3/2013
Apologies to anyone disrupted by the closure of the road running along Bonham Hanging. This was necessary to fell trees by the road which were becoming dangerous, or were likely to do so in the next 5-10 years.
Snow Nick 18/1/2013
I am afraid we will be closed today, Friday 18 January, but will be open normally tomorrow..
Farmhouse Breakfast WeekNick 15/1/2013
It is Farmhouse Breakfast Week from the 19th of January. If you don't usually have a cooked breakfast, this is the time to treat yourself. Next week will be very cold, a protein rich breakfast is what you need. Eskimos do not eat meusli!
We will be offering a special breakfast platter, witha great deal on ketchup and brown sauce to go with it. To keep your vitamen C levels up, there is 20% off Somerset Orchard Apple Juice.
New Year Nick 1/1/2013
Happy New Year. We re-open on Friday 4th January.
Christmas Nick 1/12/2012
Once again we will be selling fantastic free range turkeys, geese and other poultry from Russell Candy's farm near Trowbridge. Let us have your order form before Friday 14th December, and pick up from the shop on the day of your choice.
Chalara Ash Die-Back Nick 6/11/2012
Unless you have been on a news blackout, you must have heard of the latest tree disease, ash die-back caused by a fungal disease. It looks very bad, unless we manage a miracle it will be worse than Dutch Elm Disease. I can only repeat what I said in September: wash your boots after any woodland visit. Ask for UK grown plants when buying trees and shrubs.
Apple Day Thanks Nick 1/11/2012
Thank you to all who came to our Apple Day, it was a huge success. The cider tasting was interesting: anyone who tasted Black Rat bought some. Up to now sales had been fairly slow. Perhaps the name scares off some people. It shouldn't as it is wonderful. The pork shoulder roast was very popular, particularly with the cook (me) as it is very easy to do. We did a whole shoulder on the bone, but we can cut you a smaller bit to do this at home. Just leave it in the oven on low for 12 hours and all the fat melts out and the meat turns into a rich, tender confit.
Apple Day, Saturday 27th October Sara 10/9/2012
We will be giving free tastings of apple juice, cider, sausages, cheese and lots of apple varieties all day. There will be a pork roast with apple sauce at lunchtime.
Larch Disease in Kingswood Warren Nick 2/9/2012
We have had an outbreak of an infectious tree disease in Kingswood, which has lead to us having to fell a considerable area of larch. The disease phytopthera ramorum first came to notice in the USA, where it was known as Sudden Oak Death. Phytopthera ramorum got into this country on infected imported shrubs over ten years ago. Three years ago it suddenly started to spread widely on larch trees, first in the South West, then Wales and on up the West of Scotland. Hundreds of hectares have been felled in an attempt to control the spread.
When walking or riding in our woods, or any other woods, if you come across signs about tree disease PLEASE read them and follow any instructions. Some areas may be shut off, and if you have been anywhere near an infected site you should clean off your boots before visiting other woods. In fact, so many pests and diseases are assailing our woodlands, it is best to wash your boots after any woodland visit. You can also help by asking for UK grown plants when buying trees and shrubs.