David and Rosie Paull and family invited me to an Open day at Overton Farm on the 27th September where they entertained about 100 people, mostly parents with young children and explained about the farm, the herd, their own Hurdlebrook products and the Guernsey cow.
The Paull’s have been putting on a display at the Bath and West for the last 5 years which has involved a Guernsey milk tasting with Milk from Nick Gosling’s Artis herd as he can supply 4 gallon pergols of milk.
This has now grown to include a milking demonstration and in addition to B&W, the New Forest Show and The Hatfield House Country show invited them to go their shows and for next year the Devon show has also invited them along. The rest of the Guernsey fraternity should thank them for their efforts as they are putting the Guernsey in the shop window.
It was interesting to watch the children who were fascinated to see the milk firstly drawn by hand and then by the machine, and then to be allowed to sample the end product. The fact that the whole milk was 95% Fat free was obviously news to a lot of the parents!
The Paulls have installed a new 16/32 swingover herringbone parlour and are now milking 150 Guernseys but are planning to expand the herd as their own heifers come available and process about one third of the milk into Cream and Yoghurt as well as delicious smoothies and have two cheeses made for them using their milk. The products are sold through Farmers Markets including two in London( Dave’s father Ken was away at Notting Hill on Saturday), but also use the innovative Somerset Direct website who will deliver to your door within Somerset for a £3 delivery charge and who are able to compete on price with Mr Tesco.
Take a look at http://www.hurdlebrook.co.uk/
A very worthwhile day and an example of what can be done, provided you are prepared to get on and help yourself.