Stoodley Pike
and masses of other bespoke
items for which people come to
us. We are currently setting up
a cross-country course building
fences and moving jumps
around for Cowley Hall Estate
near Thirsk. The reason why
we have built up such a solid
reputation is because we make
what the customer wants. All of
our work is carried out to the
customer’s specification. That’s
our edge producing bespoke
timber-based products. We still
do a lot of lamb adopters in the
spring, which was how I first
started in manufacturing.”
The new name Stoodley
Pike is, of course, a nod to the
famous landmark near Hebden
Bridge and Todmorden. Richard
has a picture of it in his office as
it has great significance to him.
“My grandparents farmed
on the tops of Hebden Bridge
and when I was thinking of a
new name for the business
I wanted something unique
and fresh. You can’t get any
more fresh than when you’re
up there let me tell you!” he
laughed.
Richard studied at Askham
Bryan College on the National
Diploma back in 1996 - 99 ,
then went on to study part time
and top up to his Degree In
Agriculture & Land Management,
a few years later, in order to
have “something to fall back
on”, if things did not work out to
the life plan. - However, far from
this - things, seem to be running
ahead of plan and at a great rate
of knots!
Moving Forward
With moving to the bigger
manufacturing facilities and really
taking a large risk with added
financial commitments, Richard
has confidence in opening yet
another branch to the expanding
portfolio of outlets.
“I want to open a branch
this year back over in the West
Riding, preferably in the Halifax
/ Hebden Bridge / Calder Valley
area” and we are currently
looking for a suitable venue.
- This can then service the
rural needs around the West
riding, and over the top towards
Howarth, Oxenhope and
even Colne (Bronte Country),
leaving a boundary for his
existing local suppliers at Carrs
Billington Skipton and Gisburn,
without causing a problem with
distribution overlap ‘over the
moor’.
Sales Manager, Gareth
Oldreive (friends from being
11 years old at the same year
at High School), is going to
be looking after this area in
particular and will be eventually
getting more, and more
involved with the business, so
that Richard can re address his
farming ambition and aim to
concentrate over the next few
years in finding a farm to rent
and persue his ultimate goal.
Gareth is solid. We have
known each other for a long
number of years and have
crossed paths at the perfect
time. Bringing Gareth into the
business with his engineering
and marketing background,
means that I can slightly turn
my head and look at the overall
objective with confidence in
knowing that the business is
still moving forward.
“I could never let go of the
business fully as I enjoy my job
far too much - and have far too
much still to achieve with it” - But
I only started it, in order to get
enough backing behind me, in
order to raise capital to farm. - In
the end it has become a big part
of my life, and with an expanding
family at home - Mason (15) Emily Jane (nearly 2) - and our
recent addition Harriet (4 weeks)
- it is important to me that, I can
focus on providing my family - not
just with a roof over their heads
but with a future or option to be
involved, further down the line. Otherwise, - what’s the point?
“If you can’t leave succession
or a legacy, then you might as
well, just go get a job down the
local chip shop”. - Life’s far too
short, not to try and fill it! - Bring
it on!
INFORMATION
Richard Walker,
Stoodley Pike,
Unit 1,
Utility Road,
Osbaldwick Industrial Estate,
Osbaldwick,
York,
YO19 5UP
07866 805259
Stoodley Pike,
Cascade Garden Centre,
Ripon Road,
Bishop Monkton,
Ripon,
HG3 3QD
01765 803249
www.stoodleypikeltd.com
www.farmers-mart.co.uk Dec/Jan 2016 9