Winter is always a special time here at Fordhall farm. Everybody is very busy getting things ready for those colder months. Our Foggage farming system means our cattle and sheep live outdoors throughout the year, making them completely grass fed. We do have to supplement with some additional hay in the height of the winter, and Ben is able to cut this from a traditional hay meadow he rents from Shropshire Wildlife Trust near Whitchurch. This system means that Fordhall does not have to rely on buying lots of dry feed or grains during the winter months, providing a degree of shelter from market forces as well as a healthier diet for the livestock. The compromise is that our cattle and sheep grow slightly slower than the grain fed animal, however the flavour that develops within the meat is unrivalled and they are living the way nature intended.
To compliment this system our cattle calve only in the spring. This means that we never calve in the autumn, so that no cows are trying to feed young stock through the winter as well as themselves. Similarly, the sheep lamb slightly later in the year, beginning at the middle-end of March; again as the fresh grass is beginning to show, allowing the mothers to develop plenty of milk to feed their new-born.
Every year at Fordhall Farm we have our free Christmas Carols event. This year you can visit Father Christmas in his Green Grotto from 11am, call 01630 638696 to book a visit and avoid the queues! (£4 to enter Fordhall Grotto where children can spend time with Father Christmas receive an eco-friendly toy and a certificate of generosity). We have Christmas songs, mulled wine, mince pies, hot chocolate, festive activities and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. 4pm-6pm.
Before then we have our annual Christmas Wreath Workshop on Saturday 5th December. You can make your own festive decoration using natural materials. Suitable for all ages and abilities (can cater for most disabilities too), the workshop can be tailored to your needs. Our ideas are brilliant for Christmas gifts, candle or table decorations as well as door wreaths. 10am-12.30pm, £25.
Arthur’s Farm Kitchen has introduced their winter menu. They source their ingredients as locally as possible and try wherever possible to use organic seasonal ingredients. Download the new winter menu from here:
Arthur’s Farm Kitchen Winter Menu December 2015
You can also book Fordhall function rooms for a Christmas meal, either an evening meal for groups of 12 to 40 people or lunchtime meal for groups of 6 to 40 people. We also provide a Christmas Buffet Menu which can be served in our eco-room at Fordhall farm or delivered to your home/party location. Download the Christmas group and Christmas buffet menu here:
