The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: paddy1200 on December 15, 2013, 12:43:03 am

Title: hello from Lancashire
Post by: paddy1200 on December 15, 2013, 12:43:03 am

Hi everybody. Long story short............ Have just built a house on the in laws farm. They used to have a dairy herd but retired some time ago, selling off most of the land except for 20 acres and 10 acres broad leaf woods. I'm thinking of trying to make a go of the land but not sure what to do. Any suggestions welcome (polite). But mainly posting to say hello and maybe meet up with others of the same mind. Near to Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley. :wave:

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Penninehillbilly on December 15, 2013, 12:57:10 am

Hi and welcome from just over the border, I sometimes come over to the mart at Silverwoods, can't give advice on which way to go, theres so many options I'm still stood still trying to decide on mine, apart from my goats, geese and hens. Exciting times and a learning curve ahead for you?
Are you thinking stock or growing veg etc?

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Somewhere_by_the_river on December 15, 2013, 03:45:32 pm

Hello and welcome!

We're new too, so wanted to say 'hi' and hoping to 'meet' more like-minded people.

We've a friend who has a farm that's gone organic in the past few years. A lot of the land was 'farmed out' (so to speak), but they are starting to do more themselves and really love the land - you can see the difference already. Don't neglect the woods - I think he's onto a winner by looking at not only doing the best by the trees, but in utilising them too. He's considering firewood supply (a lot of thinning out required to rejuvenate), hazel for gardeners/fencing, as well as using his considerable (self-taught) carpentry skills. Not to mention the wildlife...

Basically, what skills do you have, what do you think you'd gain most from (personally as well as financially) and what is there a market for in your area? Don't forget that you and yours factor in too - whatever makes you most happy!  :)

Angela and Jon

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 15, 2013, 09:50:32 pm

 :wave: and welcome from Shropshire.

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Old Shep on December 15, 2013, 09:57:26 pm

hello Paddy, we're near Skipton - so not too far from you.  What do you fancy doing? sheep/cows/hens/pigs??

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Roxy on December 15, 2013, 10:24:18 pm

Hello from Peak District!!  I visit the market at Clitheroe, so not too far away.

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Bionic on December 16, 2013, 07:25:33 am

Hello and welcome to the forum from Carmarthenshire  :wave:

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: Rosemary on December 16, 2013, 08:34:13 am

Hi and welcome  :wave:

What do you want your smallholding to be? A living, a paying / non-paying hobby or a lifestyle?

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: mickgil on December 16, 2013, 08:04:00 pm

Welcome to the site

Title: Re: hello from Lancashire
Post by: paddy1200 on December 17, 2013, 12:09:22 am

Sorry, have been away for the weekend 8)
The land is pasture at the moment and needs some work on the drainage. Woods need attention, enough fallen stuff to keep us going for a couple of years! Then we need to get the rhodedendrums under control. Currently the land is rented out to a chap who keeps sheep on it and he had a fair crop of haylage off it in the summer. I don't expect to make a living off it but would like an income, however small, to supplement my wages. Probably need sheep which are pretty hardy or maybe bring on some store cattle, have a big barn and old dairy building.
Thanks for the welcomes :farmer: