It hardly feels like we’ve finished with the pumpkins, but Christmas is already arriving at Hartley!
We’ve just taken delivery of our first batch of potted Christmas trees, the Farm Shop has had its festive makeover, and the team are busy preparing for what is always our busiest few weeks of the year.
It’s quite a funny time of year on the farm. One minute we’re clearing pumpkins out of the paddock, the next we’re putting up Christmas decorations, taking deliveries of trees and making hundreds of mince pies. There’s always something else coming around the corner!
Having been through 18 Christmases at Hartley now, one thing I’ve learnt is just how quickly it all comes and goes. We spend months planning and preparing, then before we know it, we’re packing it all away again. This year I’m determined to make a conscious effort to enjoy it as it happens, rather than getting completely swept up in the madness. It’s such a lovely time of year here, and there’s a lot to be enjoyed amongst all the hard work.
One thing I’m particularly looking forward to is seeing our Christmas trees back down in the Secret Garden this year. We moved them up to the barn last Christmas, which worked well, but somehow lacked a little of the festive atmosphere we’d hoped for. So we’re bringing them back down outside the Farm Shop and having a go at creating a proper little Christmas tree forest.
The team are busy getting everything ready, with festoon lights and plenty of British-grown trees of all shapes and sizes. They’ll be ready from 20th November, and I’m hoping it’ll look particularly lovely as the evenings draw in. Much like our Pumpkin Paddock, we’d like choosing your Christmas tree to be a bit of an experience in itself, rather than simply picking one up and heading home.
There’s quite a bit of work involved in transforming the farm for these seasonal events, and it’s one of those things that customers don’t always get to see. From setting up the paddock and putting up lights to keeping the farm looking its best throughout the year, there’s never a shortage of jobs to be done! In fact, we’re currently looking for someone to join our site and grounds team to help with all this. It’s a wonderfully varied role for someone practical who enjoys working outdoors and turning their hand to different jobs. If that sounds like you, or perhaps someone you know, do have a look at the vacancy and help us spread the word with anyone who you may think would be interested
Meanwhile, the Farm Shop team are well and truly into Christmas mode. Our Christmas food orders are open, both online and in the shop, and the butchers are busy preparing for the weeks ahead. Our own grass-fed Hereford beef will naturally be taking pride of place on plenty of Christmas tables, something we’re always particularly proud of.
We’ve also recently welcomed Becky, our new bakery supervisor, who has joined Lucy in the bakery. She’s certainly picked a busy time to start! Between them, they’ll be keeping us stocked with homemade mince pies, cakes and all sorts of other festive treats over the coming weeks.
And with our Christmas Market coming up on the 27th and 28th November, there’s certainly no shortage of things happening.
So that’s where we are at the moment. Lots of activity, a fair bit of organised chaos and hopefully plenty of festive cheer along the way.
If you’re passing, do pop in and see how things are coming along. I always enjoy seeing the farm change with the seasons, but there’s something particularly special about this time of year.
All the best,
Tom