Park Hill Farm

Latest News

2011-10-07T05:33:00.000-07:00

The farm is looking lovely with the golden leaves shining in the sun, and so I have together a photo slide show for you to see the farm in all seasons. Enjoy

We are Nearly There!

2011-08-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday night, and its just 2 days to go until our Open Day on Monday 29th August.

The Open days starts at 11 and finishes at 3, and there will be loads to do.

Today we have been washing chairs, benches and tables, and weeding the yard in all that rain.

All is going well, but the cup cake lady has let us down - she is ill - so asking mother-in-law to make a few extra cakes.

We are going to have places to sit, which should be welcome with all the activities going on - I wonder if "HAM" the pig, will have her piglets on Monday - it is her due date.

Raising Money for the Scouts' Mini Bus Appeal

2011-08-25T08:17:00.001-07:00

We are raising money for the Scouts Mini Bus appeal in Market Drayton, so do come and support our open day on Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August 2011, between 11 and 3 pm.

There's No Admission Fee on Monday 29th Aug

2011-08-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Just to remind you that there is no admission fee on Monday 29th August, between 11 and 3pm, at our Open Day.

Bank Holiday Monday Fun Day - 29th August

2011-08-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

Monday 29th August, seems very close now, and we are getting some tidying up done!

We are expecting a litter of piglets on the day, if the gilt called "HAM" gives birth exactly 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days after she met with HENRY our boar.

I have just typed the programme, and its great to see HERMES the heavy weight horse is back to give a demonstration of how she can pull logs and trees out of forests. This is very sustainable, and gives her owner an income, as he sells the wood.

Hope to see you on Monday between 11 and 3 pm.
Any queries, e-mail them to beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk

Open Day - Bank Holiday Monday 29th August

2011-08-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

We are now getting ready for our FREE OF CHARGE, Family Fun Farm Day on Bank Holiday August 29th 2011.

Opening times 11 am - 3 pm.

Activities include pony rides, barbecue, tractor and trailer rides, see the animals, and THE CAVE which is a new activity to be held by the Scouts.

Press for Open Farm Sunday in the Mkt Drayton Advertiser

2011-06-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

See us in this week's Market Drayton Advertiser advertising our Open Farm Sunday

Press Articles in the Evening Sentinel last Night for Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-11T03:57:00.001-07:00

See us in the Evening Sentinel last night - Ref Banner Theft etc

Veggie options at Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-11T03:52:00.000-07:00

Don't forget we can do Veggie food options, just go to the barbecue and ask.

Name a Calf Competition for Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-11T03:50:00.003-07:00

One of our cows "Spotty" and her lovely heifer calf, will be on show tomorrow, so we need a name for her calf.

Spotty is from our "shapes and symbols" family, so her calf should have a name that is either a shape or a symbol - such as "Circle" or "Dash" - but if you can't think of a name, why not suggest a lovely name instead.

50p for 2 entries, all for charity on the day.

N

2011-06-11T03:50:00.001-07:00

Have Finished Painting and Strimming for Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-11T03:49:00.001-07:00

All the painting and strimming is done - so do come along at 11.30 tomorrow

Fishing Lessons at our Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

Mrs Harrington has kindly offered to do some basic fishing lessons for children - they will learn how to "cast".

Thank you - this will be great for our Open Farm Sunday.

Still Strimming and Painting for Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

We are still busy strimming and painting, getting ready for Open Farm Sunday, this Sunday, 12th June, from 11.30 - 3pm.

Farm is looking very nice, and it looks as though the weather is going to hold.

Market Drayton Advertiser to Print Story about Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

After last week's disappointment in not having a mention about our Open Farm Sunday, 12th UJune, 11.30 am - 3pm, we have been contacted by Winston, and he is going to do a story about our free of charge family fun day. Thank you Winston.

Malicious Theft - Open Farm Sunday 12th June, 11.30 - 3pm

2011-06-09T02:27:00.000-07:00

A banner advertising Park Hill Farm’s family fun day - Open Farm Sunday this coming Sunday between 11.30 am and 3pm, has been pinched off the A53 roadside. The banner including the posts driven in with a post knocker, was taken on Tuesday morning, and Patsy Pimlott of Park Hill Farm is devastated.

I've check with Staffordshire County Council and the Parish Council, and neither have taken in the banner, so we know it is a malicious theft. The roadside advertising would have boosted numbers, which in turn would have boosted donations for HELP THE HEROES. Some people are small minded, mischief makers, or perhaps even worse than that, hold grudges against a farm giving families a free day out in the countryside.

Barclays Bank PLC is doubling all the money raised on the day for the charity HELP THE HEROES, and we shall be holding a raffle, and taking donations after the trailer rides.

If anyone knows who has taken the banner, then please either let the police know, or ourselves – we would like to publically name and shame the person who deprives such a wonderful charity”.

Park Hill will be open between 11.30 am and 3pm, and further information is available from 01630 652178 .

Catch, name and shame the thief!

Small Minds

2011-06-08T04:17:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it, someone, or some organisation, has pinched our Open Farm Sunday Banner off the main road.

Do you know who it is, then shame them, as they will be depriving Help the Heroes of money.

Open Farm Sunday is Raising Money for Help the Heroes

2011-06-08T04:15:00.000-07:00

DONATIONS FOR HELP THE HEROES TO BE DOUBLED

BARCLAYS BANK PLC and PARK HILL FARM, have joined forces to raise money for HELP THE HEROES at Park Hill Farm’s OPEN FARM SUNDAY.
For every £1.00 raised during Park Hill’s Open Farm Sunday, Barclays Bank PLC will donate the same amount.

We were approached by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), the charity that organises Open Farm Sunday, to see if we were raising money for charity on the day. LEAF had been approached by Barclays Bank who wished to be involved with fund raising on Sunday 12th June, and staff from Barclays had picked our farm as one they would like to be involved with.

So we choose Help the Heroes because of the First Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment being stationed at Tern Hill.”

Helen Griffiths, Relationship Support Manager, Barclays Bank PLC North West, will be attending Open Farm Sunday and, amongst other fund raising activities, will be holding a raffle with ASDA vouchers as prizes. Help the Heroes will be a popular charity, and providing we can raise £100 on the day, Barclays Bank PLC will match fund to double the donation.

We are looking forward to reaching the £100 minimum we need to raise to get the matched funding from Barclays. So we hope as many people as possible will come along for a free trailer ride, try their hand at pond dipping, of just to see the animals, as well as the many other activities going on on the day.

Park Hill will be open between 11.30 am and 3pm, and further information is available from 01630 652178.

Change of Time for Open Farm Sunday

2011-06-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

We were going to be open at 11, the same as last year, but this year it will be 11.30 to3 pm. Its still free of charge.
Pass on the good news, and any queries to 01630 652178

Newspaper lets us down

2011-06-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Market Drayton Advertiser has, unusually, let us down in letting people know about our Open Farm Sunday, 12th June - 11.30 -3pm, so please spread the word. Its free of charge.

Jungle Law rules at Park Hill

2011-06-06T06:41:00.000-07:00

A bird of prey has taken one of our baby piglets, so there is only 8 to see at Open Farm Sunday, 12th June.

Shrops. Launch of Children's University

2011-05-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Thursday will see the launch of the Shropshire Children's University. I am taking our baby chicks along.

Park Hill Farm is a validated destination, so if your children have CU passports, they can collect a stamp at Open Farm Sunday.

The baby chicks fell asleep during the Staffordshire launch of the CU yesterday, they are just so laid back!

See you all on June 12th, 11.30 - 3pm

Open Farm Sunday 12th June 2011

2011-05-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

It suddenly seems very busy at the farm, trying to get ready for the big day. This year we will have the large party tent in the field with the stalls in, so everyone will be on view.

I'm getting very worried that we won't be ready - John is calm!

More Baby Chicks Expected

2011-05-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

5 Baby chicks made it to Staffs University yesterday for the launch of the Staffordshire Children's University. See them on Open Farm Sunday - 12th June, 11.30 am - 3 pm.

Baby Piglets Arrive

2011-05-24T06:33:00.001-07:00

9 Fantastic baby piglets have just arrived - in time for 80 children, and supporting adults to see last Thursday and Friday. 2 School visits and the cubs were shown the baby piglets who arrived at 8am on Thurday. Wow, what a great visit for the children, and our sow "Gammon" was as good as gold.

You can see them on Open Farm Sunday - June 12th, 11.30 - 3pm.

GETTING READY FOR OPEN FARM SUNDAY

2011-05-24T06:29:00.001-07:00

Open Farm Sunday is on the 12th June 2011, from 11.30 am to 3 pm.

This is validated to receive one passport stamp from the Children's University, so bring your passports along if you have one.

Come and see:-

Baby piglets
Cows and calves
Baby chicks
Lambs

Have a trailer ride, go pond dipping, or try the cake bake and take stall.

Great barbecue, cups of tea and coffee, and home made cakes.

There will be a tour by our vets, and the Guide Dogs will be visiting us, and hopefully the Ashley Fire and Rescue.

Most popular activities will be the trailer rides and the pond dipping.

Full information coming shortly.

See you soon.

Piggies Pumpkin Parties

2010-10-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Calling all Pumpkin Carvers to attend a Party

Date - 4th Nov 12 - 2 pm or 7th Nov 10 - 4 (just drop in on the day)

Who is invited - all families with pumpkins

Venue is also suitable for private parties and the disabled and we can take bookings.

NO CHARGE IS BEING MADE FOR OUR PARTIES

If you are looking to do more with your pumpkin, then why not come to our Piggies Pumpkin Party - e-mail us for your flyer at beef@parkhillfarm.co.uk.

What are we going to be doing at our party - you will be seeing how piggies can turn pumpkins into fun, and have a great time with them, and we will be learning about all sorts of exciting things whilst having fun - its a sensory day - I am so excited about the fantastic time we are going to have, and YOU WILL ALL GO HOME WITH A BALLOON.

Family Fun Day August 30th - MONDAY

2010-08-25T01:56:00.000-07:00

It's all systems go here for John - he has put out the banners, and is tidying up the yard, so that we will be ready for the Open Day which is only 5 days away.

As usual there seems load to do to get ready for this big day, which is free of charge to get into, and many of the activities are free on the day.

This day is all about being able to get into the countryside, see the animals, pond dip, have a walk around the farm, and have a sit down whilst you go on a trailer ride.

Children love the wide open spaces, and we are hoping for a dry day.

The Market Drayton Scouts and Venture Scouts are coming to ensure we all have a great day, and they may be able to bring other scouts with archery - we are awaiting to hear if this is going to happen.

So far:-

The ponies are coming early for the pony rides so that is great news
We are picking up some marquees for ourselves over the weekend - hopefully the new marquee will also arrive
We are expecting some local food stalls including cakes and plants
The Guide Dogs will be coming - so you can learn all about how wonderful they are
We are collecting the beef and pork ready for the Open Day later this week, so there will be fresh Park Hill beef, bacon, and pork on the day
The Tractor and Trailer are booked ready to give rides
The pond will be ready for some pond dipping
Winston at the Market Drayton Advertiser is hoping to put some editorial into the paper this week - so that families can make the most of this day
JOHN will be showing people the baby animals - make sure you get a tour with him
Sheila is going to do the cake bake and take - a great favourite
The Market Drayton Scouts are having a stall inside their marquee, and will be hosting the children's colouring tables
AND LASTLY - TANYA THE PIG MAY BE HAVING HER BABIES ON MONDAY - so if she does, we will set up a viewing area so that people can see them

As you can see, we are busy but lots of people are offering to help make this a special, fun day for all to enjoy.

There will be hand washing facilities and toilet facilities on the day, and also parking for the disabled, so give us a call if you need further info.

SEE YOU ON MONDAY BETWEEN 11 AND 3PM

LATEST NEWS ON PIGLETS

2010-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Gosh, we have been overwhelmed with people wanting to buy our lovely piglets. We have just 2 boars left, one of which could be registered at an extra cost of £10 on top of the £65 per piglet.

They are going all over the country, and its great to see they are going to good homes.

If you think you would like one, then give us a call - 01630 652178. Oink and out!

HALF LAMBS FOR SALE

2010-08-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Half lambs for sale - only £50 per half. Call us before Tuesday 3rd August to get them butchered to your requirements - shoulders and legs (boned or on the bone), and chops packed in (4's, etc).

POND DIPPING PARTIES AVAILABLE

2010-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Not sure how to satisfy the birthday girl/boy's need to have a different party - we can offer safe parties for children accompanied by parents. Lovely barn available for the party tea supplied by you, or a party barbecue supplied by us.

Nets and identification charts provided, together with experienced party leader.

Call 01630 652178 for details - minimum number of children 6 - maximum number of children 15.

15% DISCOUNT DAY - 15TH AUGUST 11 AM - 2 PM

2010-08-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

ONE DAY ONLY to our customers who call at the shop or collect from the farmers' markets

SUNDAY 15TH AUGUST

11 AM - 2 PM

15% Discount on all items in our freezer excluding sausages- telephone in advance to have your order put up, or e-mail me with your order. We can now take credit card payments over the phone or in the shop which is a great help.

We will have some cuts of beef, pork, gammon and bacon.

Happy shopping - and thank you for being on our e-mail list.

Best wishes
Patsy and John

QUARTER AND HALF PIGS FOR SALE

2010-08-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Stock up on your PORK - we can now offer lean and tasty outdoor reared, rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black pigs as:-

1/4 pigs and 1/2 pigs, butchered to your specification, Price £5.00/kg.

1/2 Pig contains - 2 shoulder joints, 2 legs of pork, belly pork (joint or strips), and about 14 chops. Weight is about 18 - 24 KG.

1/4 pig is just half of the above.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY FUN DAY - AUGUST 30TH

2010-08-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

We have suddenly realised that our fun day is looming - 12 - 3pm on the 30th August. Put it in your diary - its free of charge to get in, and many of the activities are free of charge.

See you then, and please do publicise.

POND DIPPING 18TH AUGUST 2010

2010-08-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that on the 18th August, between 2 and 4 pm, we shall be offering free of charge pond dipping sessions. These will be professionally led by Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Parents need to stay with their children, and also we should be doing some pond art!

Call us to reserve a place - 01630 652178

LAMB FOR SALE

2010-08-01T08:18:00.001-07:00

Just to say we have a very small number of half lambs for sale - suit families with freezer - call us to reserve as they are a good price at £50 per half lamb. We don't expect to have any more this year.

The early phone call gets the lamb!!

POND DIPPING

2010-07-26T16:57:00.001-07:00

Do you want to take the children pond dipping on the 18th August?

It's free of charge, and Shropshire Wildlife Trust will be leading the event between 2 and 4 pm.

Call us to book.

NEWS OF "HEAVENLY" PIGGIES SOLD

2010-07-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

We have sold nearly all our piggies, and its great news that 2 boars and 2 gilts have been registered from the "Heavenly" herd here at Park Hill.

We have only got 5 boars left - they have grown really well, and will provide hours of happiness for their new owners.

CLA GAME FAIR

2010-07-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

We have just been to the CLA Game Fair and had a great time. It was the biggest show we have been to, and we had some great help. I'm waiting for photos. If you visited our stand, we hope you enjoyed meeting us.

Latest on Open Farm Sunday - 13th JUNE

2010-06-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

We can't believe it - we got so much to do AND 26 BABY PIGLETS ARRIVED ALL IN ONE NIGHT.

They are just so cute - do come and see them.

Main attractions include

Tractor and trailer rides

Home made barbecue, teas and coffees and CAKES

Pond dipping with the experts from Natural England - it doesn't get better than that!

Walk our lovely farm with our Countryside Stewardship Officer from Natural England

LISTEN TO THE LIVE BAND

See the vets

Touch the wiggle worms

Bake and take a Cake

Buy some lovely bacon, sausage or beef steaks from the farm shop.

MOST OF ALL, COME AND SEE THE TWIN CALVES, BABY CHICKS, AND LOADS OF PIGGIES.

We will be taking orders for baby chicks and piggies - prices- £5 per chick (Can't say if they are cocks or hens at the moments) and £55 for the piggies to be collected week of the 16th July - lots of lovely piggies to choose from, but nearly all boys this time!

Open Farm Sunday 13th June 2010

2010-05-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Its that mad time of the year again where we are getting ready for Open Farm Sunday.

Check out the website openfarmsunday.org and you will see lots of farms getting ready for this, but we are local and offer a great free of charge day out, so why not come to ours?

See you on the 13th June.

OPEN FARM SUNDAY 13TH JUNE 2010

2010-05-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Its that mad time of the year where we are getting ready for Open Farm Sunday - check out the website

Come and See Us ON:-

2010-05-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

7th August - Stone Farmers Market 9 am - 4pm
7th August - Farm Shop 11 - 6
14th August - Stafford Farmers Market 9am - 4pm

14 and 15th August - Farm Shop 10 - 6
21st August - Eccleshall Farmers Market 9 - 1
21st and 22nd August - Farm Shop 10 - 6

Share Some Photos with Me

2009-12-05T06:58:00.001-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/PigsatParkHill/PigsAtParkHillFarm?feat=directlink

Items for Sale

2009-12-04T04:49:00.000-08:00

We are now able to offer the following for sale

Home produced rare breed beef, pork, gammon, sausage and bacon

Home bred piglets

Home grown hay (horse quality, and suitable for pets)

Straw (horse quality, and suitable for pets)

LOGS in various sizes

MORE PIGLETS

2009-11-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

Libby is a Berkshire x Tamworth pig, and would have been going for bacon, BUT she came to (unbeknown) in pig - and we found her with 3 babies last week. They are very small, but on Sunday they ventured out for customers to see, and Libby is a very proud mum. Piglets are amazing, and should you wish to see them, make sure you bring your wellies to cross the fields to the pig pens.

BABY PIGLETS GET FAMOUS

2009-08-25T08:31:00.001-07:00

Here is the first photograph of the baby piglets.

They are not even one day old here - come and see them on the Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday.

Yesterday the Shropshire Star and Market Drayton Advertiser came and photographed them.

Can't wait to see the photos.

Our Farm Shop

2009-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Farming nearly 130 acres in Shropshire, we have lovely fields alongside woodlands for our cattle to graze. If you think cattle and pigs should be farmed in a humane manner, then join my blog now.