IT has been an exciting time for the Tyson family . Farmer Ash and Farmer John became farming TV celebrities in February when Stepney Hill Farm on the outskirts of Scarborough found itself home to the third series of the show Celebs on the Farm featuring Farmer Chris ( Chris Jeffery ) as the judge and comedian Stephen Bailey as presenter .

Former pop stars Kerry Katona ( Atomic Kitten ) and Duncan James ( Blue ), actors Shaun Williamson ( Eastenders / Extras ) and Linda Robson ( Birds of a Feather ), plus a range of younger personalities from sport and reality shows descended on the 100-acre farm that is normally home to a rather different menagerie . ‘ We were all a bit starstruck ,’ said Ashley . ‘ It was a great experience and they were the nicest , most courteous and very genuine people . It was such a pleasure having them here .’

Ash and his wife Nicola have completely transformed Stepney Hill Farm that his dad John came to in 1966 with his brother Alan and their father Jim , Ash ’ s grandfather . Ash and his brother James took on the farm 14 years ago and built an agricultural contracting business together , but 10 years ago they decided , very amicably , to go their separate ways .

‘ I ’ d had an idea to open a butchery on the farm . Neither dad nor James could see it working but gave me their blessing and Nicola and I took on the farm . We had nothing else behind us and we started building what has seen us grow into a profitable business .’

Stepney Hill is always a hive of activity , especially more so when not under Covid restrictions , with the butchery , a wedding / functions barn that the Celebs on the Farm used as their base for their morning and evening briefings , a tearoom and holiday accommodation as well as livestock including sheep , pigs and cattle .

Ash ’ s livestock numbers are based largely on the shop ’ s throughput , but he also keeps his eye on cost of production .

He ’ s currently in the process of a possible complete change of breed . ‘ For years we have bought the best three-crop Swaledale ewes we could afford out of Ruswarp Mart , which we would put to a Bluefaced Leicester tup to breed Mules . We would have 150-160 breeding Mules lambing at around 180 per cent , which would give us enough lambs for the shop . We have been getting though 220 lambs and 50 mutton .’

‘ Having checked costs and tried the Easycare breed , founded by Anglesey farmer Iolo Owen , I was very impressed ,’ says Ash . ‘ They feed off grass , haylage and fodder beet , which means they don ’ t need concentrates ; they lamb easily outside , which saves on bedding and is a lot more natural ; and they give a quality

carcase . I just have to walk round them twice a day .’

Ash now has 30 Easycare ewes and 10 gimmer shearlings alongside his 120 Mules .

‘ If all goes well this year I will drop my Mule numbers further and go more with Easycare .’

Lambing experience days have become another string to the Tyson family ’ s bow , which keep the tearoom busy and encourage even more visitors with schoolchildren visiting . Lambing is now timed for the Easter period .

‘ It ’ s not just lambing experience days , but also sheep experience days ,’ says Ash . ‘ We have one school that visits four times a year . During the lambing days the schoolchildren also enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows and a hot meal from Nicola and her team before coming around the farm with me helping with feeding the lambs and seeing how we

look after them . We ’ ve been doing it four years and it has proved really important , especially for schoolchildren from deprived areas .’

Open Farm Sunday has added another big event to the farm with 1800 visitors each year with John , who is well known for his hedge laying and dry stone walling as well as wildlife , conducting a nature walk .

Cattle and pigs are bought-in , but that doesn ’ t mean there isn ’ t new life to see here also .

‘ I usually buy a couple of rare breed sows that are in-pig from Ken Matthews of Ebberston . He has free range Berkshire and British Lop that we buy in sufficient quantity for the shop . Having the in-pig sows means we have pigs born on the farm for the school visits and open days .’

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