Open Farm Sunday was the perfect excuse for the Turner Family to celebrate the first

birthday of their highly successful farm shop at Ellenden Farm, Harvington. They

hosted around 500 visitors, running conducted tours around the orchards, asparagus

fields, pasture and the fishing lake, which they are in the process of landscaping and

stocking.

Visitors were treated to some of the Turner's home produced lamb, which along with

their own beef, is bred and reared by the family, making it is totally traceable. "Having complete control of every aspect of production is what sets our meat apart",

commented Sara Turner.

The event provided an opportunity for everyone to experience the unique landscape

and flavours of the area and to learn a little about the production of meat and produce

from the region. Visitors browsed the shop and sampled products from a number of

the shop's suppliers in a large marquee in front of the shop.

A New Holland bio-diesel powered tractor, provided by Murley Agricultural

Supplies, pulled one of three passenger trailers around the 60 acre site, snaking

through the apple and plum orchards and visiting parts of the farm that really cannot

be appreciated from the area's network of footpaths. Murley's Marketing & After

Sales Director, Rob Merrall, who lives locally, said that he was delighted in the

interest in the bio-diesel tractor, which had recently been on show at the national

Grassland Event at Stoneleigh. "New Holland are at the forefront of bio-diesel

technology", he added, and with the addition of a simple filter kit nearly all of their

tractors are now able to run on 100% bio-diesel.

"The day turned into a real community event, with many local people lending a

hand...demonstrating the community spirit of Harvington. We're very grateful to

everyone who helped", said Sara.

Visitors enjoyed a live forage harvesting demonstration, run by the Hancocks Family,

neighbours of the Turner's tenanted holding in Coughton, who brought their large

self-propelled forager for the day. A sheep shearing demonstration was provided by

David's father Bob Turner and Roger Small, who now lives in Harvington but was

first employed by David's grandfather in Coughton back in the sixties.

Open Farm Sunday is set to become a well supported local event in Harvington and is

a unique opportunity to sample the best of local produce and connect with

Worcestershire's beautiful landscape. Next year's event is already being discussed.