Celebrating a wonderful farmer

Guest blog by David's daughter, Helen

Helen and her brother, James, play on the bales in 1982.

Helen inspecting sheep in 1985.

Last month a family tragedy shone a light on the difference that businesses such as Churncote Farm with its shop and café make to the local community and rural economy. The past decade of my career has been spent working with others who want to see a secure, strong and resilient future for the countryside. In recent weeks, I have seen first-hand the value of the ecosystem of people, services and businesses which surround the family farm and its importance but also its vulnerability in the present day.
Over 20 years ago dad and Sue embarked upon a farm diversification. It wasn’t easy but it was a necessity to ensure they could continue doing what they were passionate about – good quality farming.
In the past few weeks, we have heard from many people and businesses how much they regarded my dad, how important the farm shop and café were to them as a valued customer but also an important local supply route for their products. A handful of examples includes a newly married couple who supply them with eggs, a multi-generational abattoir over the border in Wales, a local ice cream business, a local artist who supplies greetings cards and the start-up business that chose their shop to launch their savoury snacks which can now be purchased national-wide.
It is this story of farm to fork and the importance of buying local that has always been at the heart of the shop when in its fledging days it was run from a table in the back kitchen. With my dad’s regular blogs about the work on the farm, taking time to talk to customers while they chose their meat from the butcher’s counter and building long and lasting relationships over the years, thousands have been educated about the value of maintaining food production on their doorstep.
The support over the past few weeks has been so valued by my family and the kind messages and condolences from suppliers, customers and friends so special at this difficult time. It has been a truly heartening example of the strength of community in our rural areas. We need to ensure this continues to be supported so it can thrive for generations to come in order for everyone to continue to be able to access quality, local produce provided by caring and passionate people like my dad and Sue.