ramsons

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cliftons farm was mentioned in the doomsday book wherein inglewhite was recognised as ideal for raising dairy cattle. the cellars of the present building date from the twelfth century; it was most recently re-built in 1772!

geoffrey parkinson comes from a family of dairy farmers ~ and took the tenancy of cliftons to provide a home for evelyn when they married in 1967. he gradually began to realise that some of the chemical sprays he was using were affecting his health. terms of the tenancy placed restrictions on the use of the land and the way it was farmed so he was bound to continue high input farming until he was able to buy the freehold in 1986 ~ the year their youngest son thomas was born.

ownership gave him freedom to manage the farm his own way; he embarked on a plan to become self sufficient, growing all of the winter feed for his herd of pedigree jersey cattle as well as fruit and vegetables for his family. cliftons farm came to my notice when it was granted organic certification in 1997 since when I have used it as my source of fresh milk, eggs and jersey cream as well as fruit and vegetables in season.

20 years on thomas graduated from the local agricultural college with distinction and was handed the keys to the farm;  he has begun to develop many of his dad's initiatives during the year he has been in charge...

      male jersey's are not economic as beef animals in today's competitive marketplace, but tom is rearing them for me as veal calves ~ with the help of flamingo, a gentle five year old who has a full time job as a 'wet nurse'!

      two (heavily pregnant when I took their picture in june 2007) essex saddleback pigs will soon be providing a source of organic rare breed pork. half a dozen young geese proved to be inattentive mothers in their first year ~ only managing to hatch one chick! we are hoping they do better in 2008 so that we will be able to serve organically reared goose on christmas day...

      geoffrey planted a walnut tree soon after he moved in ~ the crop looks good and we are planning to pickle our own; the rhubarb is amazing ~ probably something to do with the jersey herds supply of natural top dressing?

evelyn's autumn delight raspberries picked in october and served with jersey cream is something I always look forward to...

       Last modified: 29-Mar-2008 08:31