Hi oaklands
Sorry i meant to post this ages ago here goes my story.
When i had my first 2 pigs 4 years ago i phoned my local abattoir and explanied that i was new and this was my first lot of pigs,they were not friendly or helpful and seemed to me to be rude,so i thought stuff them and then phoned the next nearest to us who were completly the opposite so friendly and helpfull ,they went through everything with me,they deliver/collect to 2 butchers so they gave me the number of the nearest 1 to me and again the same very friendly and helpful service.It seems to be a mixture of people with little trailers with a few like me and some of the bigger lorries,the first time i didnt go as i couldnt face it so my good old dad took them,he couldnt turn the trailer round but 1 of the other farmers just jumped in and turned it round very helpful.After that first time i have been every time and what i like is that its the same staff and vet you see still 4 years on,the vet checks every animal that is unloaded.I have phoned them countless times with questions and each time they are very helpfull,i now have sheep as well that go to them and they are very good with them as well,the last lot i send were due to be there 7am on a monday morning and i had a query about wheter 1 of them could go so on the off chance i phoned them at 5:30 in the morning and someone answered and helped me with my problem.When these sheep when for the first time i went inside with them as they didnt want to go but the man just calmly walked behind them no pressure to get a move on.
As i said before my animals then get delivered or collected not sure which one direct to my butcher which is a great plus but you can collect yourself if you wish.
The only negative was when i send these last lot of sheep i send a ram with the most amazing horns and i asked the vet if i could have them back and he said he would ask but he thought i would be very luckly to get them back,i didnt get them but i wasnt that bothered really just glad that my animals are treated with the respect they deserve.
They are based just on the outskirts of Norwich,Norfolk and called HG Blakes.01603 262525
As you have guessed from my very long post (sorry) i would highly recomend to others,just wondered if anyone else had used them and found the same.
Karen