Throughout May we have been savouring some incredible asparagus from the Wye Valley. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and with the asparagus season the end is always much sooner than we want. We only have a week or two left so if you haven't made the most of these delicious spears yet make sure you do soon! However as we say good bye to one much-loved British treasure we say hello to another. English strawberries are finding their way to our shelves now and as the sun continues to shine they will only get better. There's plenty to celebrate this summer so we have also got stocks of some rather fantastic local sparkling wine. While stocks last we will be offering our Avonleigh Sparkling Wine for just £14.99 per bottle, perfect to wash down those strawberries and cream (Ivy House Cream of course). On the subject of our beloved Ivy House Farm we have also managed to get our hands on some beautiful handmade chocolate from Lick The Spoon. Diana makes all her chocolate in her chocolate factory in Corsham, Wiltshire. She has also paired up with my Uncle Geoff Bowles from Ivy House to use some of his organic Jersey cream in some of her creations. We have a great selection now in the farm shop that make perfect treats and gifts for all. Why not add some to one of our handmade and bespoke hampers for Father's Day this 17th June?
This week we will have our spring lamb in the counter. Through the summer months we will be sourcing our spring lamb from Steve Bowles (another uncle!) at Church Farm and also Jamie Fielden from Hill House farm in Box. Our spring lamb has had much more time to graze the spring pastures than much of the mass produced spring lamb which focuses on churning out young lambs in bulk to hit the early spring market. Our spring lamb is still beautifully tender but has more flavour than earlier lamb. Whether it be a butterflied leg marinaded for the BBQ or chops for the grill it can't be beaten at this time of year!
Although not really the time of year for game we are very pleased to have found a great game dealer very locally to us to keep us stocked up with wild game through the year. On the counter recently has been some locally shot venison steaks and haunches as well as burgers and sausages. As the game season approaches towards autumn we will have plenty more on offer too.
Much attention and effort has very quickly been drawn to our barbecue range as the summer is sprung upon us. Our butchers have been working hard devising new products for the counter as well as giving the counter a bit of an uplift too! Throughout the week you will find all our delicious homemade burgers and sausages both on the counter and in handy grab and go packs too. The order book is filling quickly for this weekend too so if you want to take advantage of some of our homemade and home reared meat from the counter phone the butchers on 01225 864948 and celebrate the Jubilee weekend in style!
Kate has been sulking over the last month as she's not been able to get onto the land because of the terrible weather; plus the slugs have been wreaking havoc on her early crops such as carrots, spinach and beetroot – even in the polytunnels. Now she has had her revenge after collecting a punnet-load and giving them to the ducks as a treat; plus this lovely warm weather means they should stay away now too. She's finally managed to plant her tomatoes out in one tunnel: a mixture of heritage varieties and new tasty breeds, from orange cherry toms and golden yellow vine tomatoes, to delicious pink Berner Rose beafsteak, and even a 'black' variety! Fingers crossed we can enjoy them in a couple of months, as long as the sun plays the game! (Don't forget to keep up to date with Kate's blog too)
Some beautiful summer flowers are now available to include peonies, hydrangea, stocks and delphiniums. They have a larger selection in the workshop too with ready made bunches and plants by the fruit and veg in the farm shop.
Summer workshops are now available! Book to make a gorgeous hand-tie and contemporary arrangement.Come and have some pimms see a demonstration and have a go. Courses are £50 per person to include all materials flowers and liquid refreshment and will be running on 16th and 17th July 7-9pm. To book call Laura and Grace on 01225 580271 or pop in or email us on info@youngblooms.co.uk
Weddings are in full flow , you can always pop in have a look and say Hi, as of 1st June come see our floral queen being created in celebration of her 60 years on the throne too!
This weekend is the Winsley Community Barn Dance to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. The Winsley Jubilee Committee will be holding the event at Hartley Farm. Tickets are in very short supply and will almost certainly sell out before Friday so if you were planning to buy tickets don't leave it to the last minute! Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children under 12. We will have a hog roast and a bar stocked with local ciders and Ale from our resident microbrewers, Willy Good Ale. On the pumps will be High Five as well as bottles of their limited edition Betty's Brew which is also available now from the farm shop!
On the 14th July we will be hosting our Boules and Moules day too. The day will include a family beach boules tournament along with tastings of some French fayre to mark the Bastille day celebrations. Details on how to enter Boules teams and events for the day will be release soon!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words by way of a tribute to my grandfather, Bert Bowles, who sadly passed away last week as I'm sure many of you in the community will have heard. Known to me and all us grandchildren as Pappy, he was and will continue to be a huge influence to me and all the Bowles family particularly with our proud farming heritage that he was central to and we strive to continue. He will be remembered well by all of us and all his friends. Pictures of him farming the local land will continue to stand proud in our farm shop.
All the best
Tom
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