About Us

Before we moved here in 1993, the smallholding was originally part of a larger farm. When the farmer built a new house for his tenants, this smallholding was created - the large house being divided in two, each with approximately 2 acres.   We live in one half with our younger son and Judith's mother, and our eldest son, his wife and daughter live in the other half.  Judith and I farm both packages of land.  I am a retired builder by trade and Judith worked as a midwife, skills which are very useful around the smallholding!

When I started keeping goats, it was to supply the house with fresh milk. I still do so , but this year the herd has increased to nearly 30 with their followers, mostly meat goats - Boer goats and Boer goats crossed with our milking goats. We decided that we didn't want to be tied to milking too many goats, and also we wanted to taste 'real meat' - the meat we remembered from our childhood when we raised our own pigs. I discovered Boer goats when I read an advertisement in Smallholder Magazine. We now breed for top class stock - rather than meat.

We also decided to buy in weaner pigs and fatten them.  We get them ready to go to the butcher's at about 26 weeks. We only rear rare breed pigs - mainly Tamworths or Gloucester Old Spot x Tamworths.

Our youngest son helps us on the holding and also works for local farmers when needed. Our eldest son is a chef, so we have 'quality control' at home! We also get help from our grandchildren who love to come and feed the goats and pigs with us.