A pedigree Hereford bull, from many years ago, watched by 3 of his wives and the black and
white house cow who supplied us with milk.
We were born and brought up on a traditional mixed Herefordshire farm.
Set in the rolling green hills of Herefordshire with the picturesque mix of
cattle and sheep grazing the pastures, the tall wirework and climbing bines
in high hedged hopyards and the blossom and fruit of cider apple and perry pear orchards.
The aroma hop, the Fuggle, grew in the hopyards, pedigree Hereford cattle
grazed permanent pasture and corn was sown in small, hedged fields.
Our mum and dad, grandfather and great grandfather had all followed the same
time honoured combination of crops and animals, grown and reared in an
extensive manner. With the seasons dictating the jobs done and the care of
the stock and soil, with minimal intrusion by artificial sprays and
fertilisers, being the core fundamentals.
Now, constant erosion of margins for such family farms has allowed us to
pursue other uses of resources and skills. This web site outlines our individual
responses to an ever changing, customer based, rural scene.
The farm meanwhile, continues with Hereford/Limousin cross beef cattle, Texel/Lleyn
cross sheep, but sadly, the hops are now no more. The fields are slightly
bigger, the costs are much bigger and the red tape and paperwork
are at ludicrous levels.
Taxes are on the rise.
The 4x4 that does all my work from collecting fruit from orchards, to hauling 2 ton containers of juice and cider about or laiden to the gunnels for farmers markets and deliveries, is about to cost me lots more in road tax.
Now we understand that alcohol is being considered for further tax hikes to combat the increasing problems arising from excessive alcohol consumption. Once again measures may be needed in some quarters, but these may affect others for whom it makes things more costly and challenging. If indeed we, as food and drink producers are wanted, as a reflection of the great heritage and tradition of our agricultural background, as producers of very high quality and innovative products in the highly prized regional food and drink sphere, as agricultural diversification, for rural employment, tourist friendly and able to educate and inform, then it would be good to see us given some respite from these across the board, knee jerk reactions from government but more so from experts, advisors, civil servants. They all claim they understand but in all honesty, how can they? They are not actually doing it.
Herefordshire is a classic blend of old, new and changing scenes. There are more physically dramatic places, certainly towns with more entertainment and cities with more cultural clout but nowhere leaves you feeling the way you do after a visit to Herefordshire. Everything in moderation is Herefordshire's subtle way of pleasing.
TO BUY THE TASTES AND FLAVOURS FROM OUR FARM:
For my brother Matthew's (with no small help from John) tender and tasty, marbled Hereford beef
Go to Legges of Bromyard
Tenbury Road, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4LW. tel.01885 482417. Contact Anthony or Ingrid.
New website to be launched August 2007
Go to David Wallers' in Ledbury for my mum's succulent Texel lamb Wallers Winners
D.T. Waller & Sons Limited, 71 The Homend, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1BP
Telephone : (01531) 632739 E-mail : prime-meat@wallers-winners.co.uk
But for how long you ask? Now there is a question. After all there is a need for low cost housing everywhere but most certainly in Herefordshire. The easy answer is to sell up and retire. The option that many have had to take. Over my dead body I think. In our very small way we are here for keeps and the smooth talking, well paid, over pensioned purveyors of spin will have to wait a few more years before this family farm gives in.
