The Farmers Mart Apr/May 2014 - Issue 33 | Page 48

FARM BUILDINGS & EQUIPMENT

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF
HUDDERSFIELD FARM SHOP IS
CELEBRATED IN BBC RADIO SHOW
The resilience and renewal of
Britain’s oldest farm shop was
chronicled in a special Radio 4’s
Farming Today feature broadcast on
Easter Monday.
Hinchliffe’s– which was established 85
years ago – was the focus of the Radio
4 show that broadcasts to more than
a million listeners, with interviews with
octogenarian farmer Charles Hinchliffe
(pictured), son of founder Allen Hinchliffe,
and grandson Simon Hirst, who now runs
farm shop along with brother Ben.
Journalist Caz Graham talked to the
family about the history of the shop,
established in 1929, and its weathering
of successive storms, recessions and
a devastating fire. The radio crew
visited the shop, butchery and pasture
around Hinchliffe’s during the hour-long
recording.

Despite the majority of the farm buildings
and restaurant being destroyed in a
2010 blaze, the programme shows how
the family’s ‘true Yorkshire grit’ helped
rebuild the shattered dreams of the
four-generation business after the fire
and secure planning permission to build
a brand new farm shop and restaurant
complex on the site this year.

Hinchliffe’s Simon Hirst said: “It was
amazing having the Radio 4 team here to
talk to us about this place that meant so
much to our family for such a long time.
It’s been a tough few years but thanks to
our new and old customers we’ve come
out the other end stronger and even more
committed to being the hub of delicious
Yorkshire produce for local people.
“It was also lovely to meet the presenter
Caz because she comes from a farming
background so knows exactly what
running a farm day-to-day is like – with or
without a microphone about!”
The Farmers Mart will be visiting
Hinchliffe’s for a forthcoming feature.
Hinchliffe’s Farm is based at
Netherton Moor Road, Netherton,
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD4
7LE. www.hinchliffes.com

Redundancies at
Alcan farmland
TIMBER BUILDINGS
Natural products from
renewable resources
Caring for
the environment

3 BAY
MONOPITCH
AS SHOWN
£4800 inc VAT
DELIVERED

Many more options available
Erection as optional extra

Farmplus, Shay Lane, Longridge, Preston PR3 3BT

01772 785252 www.farmplus.co.uk
48

Apr/May 2014 FarmersMart

The Queen’s Crown
Estate has bought the
4,500 acre Alcan Farms
agricultural land portfolio
in Northumberland.
The deal includes
agricultural land, farm
buildings, 19 homes, and an
operational 13 turbine wind
farm leased to Scottish Power
Renewables.
It is not clear what the
intentions for the land
are, although a statement
indicated all eight Rio Tino
employees who currently
work on the area will be made
redundant by June.
The Crown Estate plans to
rename the area the Ellington
Estate, which will become part
of a wider £8.1 billion portfolio
which includes Regent Street

and much of St James’s in
London’s West End.
Ken Jones, director of the
Rural and Coastal Portfolio
said: “The Ellington estate
is fantastic addition to our
portfolio, which is particularly
attractive because it presents
a diverse range of income
sources.”
Jon Storr, director of Alcan
Farms Limited, said: “The sale
to The Crown Estate ensures
the land will continue to be
managed and farmed to the
highest standards into the
future.
“Just as we did with the
former smelter employees, we
will provide the farm workforce
with extensive practical
support to help them take the
next steps in their careers.”

To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk