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A children’ s play area has also been created, Robert remarked how much young children often spend a lot of their time inside and on their electronic gadgets suddenly experience a whole new world and love to run around the farm, explore and play.“ To see the joy on their faces makes it all worthwhile” Robert said.
In this country the good old British weather cannot be relied upon and there is nothing worse than being stuck in a caravan or tent in the pouring rain, so with that in mind Robert has converted yet another barn where Kids can play under cover and the grownups can sit and read with onsite facilities to cook and make a brew.
To further enhance peoples experience Robert has details of all areas of local interest and several nature trails, walks and cycle routes.
Well you would think that having created such an experience that would be enough. Well you would be wrong, after several cyclists used the site as a stopping off point on their coast to coast cycle rides, a few of them remarked it was a pain leaving their vehicles in Penrith and then cycling all the way to Tynemouth to
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then trek back. Robert now offers a minibus service to pick up and deliver cyclists wherever they need to be.
In fact, this amazing journey of development took on an extra dimension 2 years ago. Robert being a big music enthusiast had always fancied staging his own Music Festival! Well“ How does one do that I asked” Robert went on tell me that he had a good relationship with Adam Day – a local musician who said“ It’ s quite simple, you need a good stage and sound system along with space and amenities to support the audience as well as decent bands of course” – Not much then – However as Robert said to me they already had space, accommodation and amenities, it was a case of using some common sense and getting in touch with some local bands and making sure you had some good beer to sell!
Hey Presto the Mains Farm Music Festival was Live, it’ s aimed at the over 35 age bracket, the first one was a great success with people keen to rebook for the following year. This year the festival will be on the 17th and 18th of August. Last year attending a Farm Innovation show Robert was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and chat with another pretty successful farm, none
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other than the great Michael Evis of Glastonbury fame whose advice to Robert was to grow slowly and always look to improve! Robert has certainly been doing that. If the festival goes well again this year Robert is looking to sign some more Penrith bands for next year.
The village of Kirkoswald has been home to Robert for some 50 years and it’ s been very good to him. So following his hard work and success he was keen to give something back, so he actively supports the
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local football and cricket teams, has also contributed to the local swimming pool’ s development and the church.
I asked about the future – Can he do anymore? He is considering developing an adult campsite across the road for those people who want a spot of quiet and, he would like to see the Festival expand. Well we wish Robert and Julie continued success and as he was keen to reiterate without Julie’ s rock like support none of this would have been possible.
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