The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2020 - Issue 68 | Page 58

58 LOVESOME HILL FARM GOLD AWARD FOR LOVESOME HILL Chris Berry talks with John & Mary Pearson near Northallerton LIFE may well have changed considerably for us all in the past few months but John and Mary Pearson of Lovesome Hill Farm near Northallerton had some great news just before ‘lockdown’ when Mary’s home- made marmalade won a Gold award at the prestigious World Marmalade Awards hosted at Dalemain House in Cumbria, founded by Jane Hasell-McCosh in 2005. ‘I’ve had a Gold award before, but to do it again this year was really special,’ says Mary, whose marmalade was up against over 3000 entries from 43 countries as far and wide as Japan, Canada, Brazil, Senegal and Australia. ‘It’s only a small window of opportunity in January when the Seville oranges are imported. They’re the best for marmalade.’ Mary would, of course, normally have her marmalade available for visitors to spread on their toast or to buy from her bed and breakfast trade she has built up over 30 years from originally starting with one room in the farmhouse in 1989, then expanding to two and then con- version of the granary. Today, she operates four ensuite rooms in the granary and a cottage, plus a bunk barn, all on site at Lovesome Hill. ‘As demand grew we had to also improve what we offered because expectations became higher. We got planning to convert the granary and get the bunk barn organised. The Youth Hostel Association were looking to expand their availability at the time, but now the bunk barn is more the kind of place that those taking part in the Coast- to-Coast walk use and those who come on our lambing breaks.’ ‘ Our idea was always that the accommodation would help make the farm sustainable ’ DAVID COATES Darrington 01977 795241 Leyburn 01969 621369 A G R O N O M Y LT D Keighley 01535 632661 Ottringham 01964 622351 Ripon 01765 692255 Tadcaster 01937 835454 Stockton 01740 630254 Brigg 01652 650600 Crop Protection · Crop Spraying Liquid Fertilizer Proud to be working with John & Mary Pearson of Lovesome Hill Farm David Coates m: 07595 895 448 e: [email protected] Richard Coates m: 07544 809128 e: [email protected] 28 Merrybent, Darlington, DL2 2LE Wishing Mary and John Pearson of Lovesome Hill Farm continued success. One of the largest John Deere and agricultural machinery dealers in the North of England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Louth Market Weighton 01507 617588 01430 872421 Malton 01653 695094 Retford 01777 704823