32 GOODFELLOW FARMING LTD AUG / SEP 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
out so John Snr took up the reins with gusto and ran the hotel for 12 years , until it was sold in 2011 ! Following the sale of the hotel , John Snr was able to spend more time with Elizabeth and a proper retirement . As we know , farmers find it hard to retire as farming is a way of life not just a job . Despite having many breaks away , John Snr would be there everyday looking for a job . It was whilst working on a barn conversion , that tragically John Snr broke his neck and died going through a door . This was a huge blow for the family as John Snr had achieved so much and been a massive support and inspiration .
John Snr running the Otterburn Tower really allowed John to grow with the business quickly as he , like his father , is full of ideas and ready to try new things . Initially , having two keen entrepreneurs on the premises it could be challenging , as you would imagine .
John has continued to develop the business , including the shoot that his father started . The grain and feed business is now a significant player in the area . They have a fleet of modern machinery and wagons , which not only enables high quality land management at Hall Farm and Longwitton , but also supports their diverse and thriving contracting business . As a farmer if you need something doing John , David and team will be able to do it for you .
Once I had learnt the history of Goodfellow Farming and its dynamic
creator John Snr , it was quite easy to understand the innovative entrepreneurial quality that led John to Poachers Block .
How many times do we often think “ If only I ’ d have thought of that ” Some of the world ’ s best ideas come from small beginnings . Well , Poachers Block is no different . It all began out of frustration . They have some land across at Newbiggin and one day John was up there and noticed the locks had been stolen . He went back to get some new locks , on his return the gates had gone , infuriating !
This set John ’ s inventive mind going – what if you didn ’ t need any field gates , could keep intruders out but you could gain access ? His initial thoughts on design were something that would only allow liquid sprayers onto the land . After numerous hours of thought and drawings
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‘ PROUD SUPPLIERS TO JOHN GOODFELLOW OF GOODFELLOW FARMING .’ etc , he experimented with a concrete barrier in the shape of a block that would allow a sprayer across only . Thus , the first Poachers Block was devised . Casting the first blocks was a challenge as they stuck to the moulds and had to be hammered out . Not to be deterred , John found a spray for the mould that solved this .
Very quickly John realised this had to have commercial value for all types of farm , as rural crime was on the increase , livestock poaching was becoming more of a problem and the scourge of farming - fly tippers ! This was the inspiration for the name , Poachers Block .
John spent a lot of time measuring tractors and all manner of machinery and 4x4 ’ s to find the optimum width and height that will allow the right machinery across and stop everything else and if people think they can ride roughshod over them they are in for a nasty shock and a load of damage .
Weighing more than a tonne and the size they are , Poachers Block can only be moved with specialist equipment . Installing Poachers Blocks negates the need for gates . John removes his when he is combing and replaces them after seeding . Having no gates also saves a huge amount of time as well .
The first Poachers Block came out in November 2019 . Since then , John has secured a Patent and refined the measurement . He has more than one size to accommodate farm gate widths and lanes . Poachers Block can be modified to stop Quad Bikes . The next model John is working on , is one to allow Can-Am ’ s and
John Deere Gator ’ s across . This will be for livestock protection and will have gates as well . Poachers Block can stop any wagon , van truck or pickup .
Poachers Block are now manufactured for Goodfellow Farming by Lynx Precast Limited in Ashington . John said they have been hugely helpful . With modifications , Poacher Block has more steel reinforcing than any other product Lynx make .
To date , more than 500 have been sold , with many repeat orders . John told me he had sold a lot in Essex , which seemed odd ; however , farmers down there have had big problems with Fly Tippers , poachers and travellers . It is intended to have a full range of three sizes of Poachers Block . Although I doubt it will stop there .
As we stood in the vast yard at Longwitton looking at the spectacular Northumbrian countryside , I asked John and David about future plans . I half expected them to say to keep things ticking over . No , I didn ’ t , this team wouldn ’ t know how to tick over ! The idea is to purchase more land , continue developing Poachers Block and all the various sides of the business . Some of the sheds are due for renewal when they can find the time . In fact , the very yard we were standing in is earmarked for building . As we said earlier , they are building more accommodation which will be for the staff , including David and his new family ! John also plans for his mother Elizabeth to move back into Longwitton soon .
Who knows where this dynamic operation will develop in the future ? One thing I do know , it wont be small !