The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2020 - Issue 68 | Page 4

4 EDITOR’S INTRO APR/MAY 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk Welcome back to another issue of The Farmers Mart. The past two months have been a really testing time and whilst some businesses have flourished, many have found it tough, but one thing for sure is that farming as an industry has to keep going. It has been a massive juggling act for many to continue whilst protecting staff and customers alike. IN this issue, we have all the latest developments on how key businesses in our industry are managing to ‘keep going’ through the pandemic. Read the second instalment in our series looking at Headingley Farmers Market and see how Swillington Farm is helping store holders con- tinue trading while the market site is closed. We catch up with young Jake Buchan and The Holy Smokery at Kilnsey and get an insight into the famous Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese. Don’t miss the third instalment on Headingley and its stallholders/busi- nesses in the next issue. Farm diversification is becoming more and more important nowadays; read about the Alpacas at Gledhill Farm, Almondbury, Huddersfield, run by Steve Griffiths and partner Fiona, these delightful tactile animals provide fun trekking and therapeutic companionship. We took a trip up to the Wilds above Holmfirth to meet up with colourful character Brindon Addy; he tells us all about his hugely successful butchery and food hall. Before the lockdown, we attended the huge annual event at Rickerby in Carlisle where this year the show cel- ebrated 140 years in business. There is a potted history of this remarkable company along with full coverage of the open event in March which thou- sands attended across the two days. We were very disappointed to see the cancellation of nearly all agricul- tural shows across the country, but safety comes first. Some shows in late summer may yet still happen; as things stand, NSA Sheep is still scheduled for late July and, then as we push onto the autumn, we hope Midlands Machinery will be taking place. We will have a full event calendar update in the July/ August issue. Prior to lockdown, Chris Berry had been talking to several farmers includ- ing Alastair Jenkinson at Beech House Farm, Langbar, Ilkley who has made a successful transition from logistics to sheep farming. That’s all for now. I do hope that by the next issue, everything will be closer to normal and the great businesses featured here as well as everyone else will be thriving again. Stay safe. Ian Wilkinson, Owner Rickerby ‘keeping things as normal as possible’ The Rickerby group like many businesses who provide essential service and support to the farming industry are striving to keep day to day life as near normal as possible. ALL depots remain fully open whilst taking into account the government guidelines to protect their staff, customers and suppliers. Parts, service and sales are all operating to keep you the farmer working. Keeping both our customers and staff safe is our priority so we have made some changes at our depots. Please contact your local depot or sales person by phone to discuss your requirements or prior to visiting. Rickerby’s hard working and dedicated staff will keep farming going and feed the nation. RICKERBY ISSUE 68 • APR/MAY 2020 For more news, views and stories from the number one farming guide in the North, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk Carlisle (Head office) 01228 527521 Currock Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 4AU Alnwick 01665 603631 Willowburn Trading Estate, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2PF rickerby.claas-dealer.co.uk Bowburn 0191 377 2510 13A, Bowburn South Industrial Estate, Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5AD Carnforth 01524 720290 Scotland Road, Warton, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9RQ Cornhill 01890 883322 Station Garage, Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland, TD12 4UG Dunbar 01368 860694 Thistly Cross, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1ST Hexham 01434 604131 Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG Penrith 01768 863718 Harvester House, Greenbank Road, Eden Business Park, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9FB