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Broom House Farm Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2016
Hello Everyone!
We hope that, like us, you have all had a great summer and September - here at Broom House Farm the Autumn term is well under way, Little Farmers have been enjoying some lovely warm Monday mornings and our first schools have visited...we had great fun collecting apples in the orchard...some for the Coffee Shop and some for the pigs!  Well done to Mark and Emma, also Millie O'Dair and Dominic Scott from the Coffee Shop Summer Team, for their Great North running on another beautiful day. Many of the lovely smiley Coffee Shop summer staff have now set off for new challenges, good luck to Laura at agriculture college and Aaron with his electrician's apprenticeship and to all those who are changing school or college. Thank you to all of them and thanks to all of you for visiting us this summer! The swallows will soon fly, let's enjoy them while we can.
Broom House Farming News
This week the cows have been scanned, this is an exercise in logistics as the calves are still with their mothers and so they have to be split off before the cows can go through the cattle race. John, the scan man, travels up from North Yorkshire. It takes him and the farm team all day to get through the herd...and it is very tense as it is important that as many cows as possible are in calf. After the cows have been scanned the heifers are checked to see if they are in calf. This is easier work as they do not have calves with them. The aim is to calve the heifers when they are just two years old....this year 100% of the heifers were in calf - far more than expected.  The main herd also scanned well, there are even several sets of twins, so a big relief. Last week a load of fat beast were sold, this will ease the pressure on the grazing land. They did not seem very keen to leave the farm and did their level best to avoid being loaded on to the wagon, finding open gates and a stampede through the woods and several fields preferable...they led the men a merry dance. Most of the time recently has been spent sorting out sheep.  Lambs have been split into batches according to size, and several loads of fat lambs have at last been sold. Brexit has influenced exchange rates which has resulted in an increase in lamb prices on last year, regardless of this, lambs have been much slower to finish and there are still far more lambs on the farm than the farmer would like. The best pure Lleyn ewe lambs have been selected for breeding and for sale, with buyers coming to view them this week, the surplus may end up being sold as fat lambs, but fingers crossed for a good price.  Steven, the shepherd, is hosting a Northern Sheepdog Association trial here on Sunday 23rd October, One Man and His Dog style...interested onlookers welcome...as long as they are quiet! The main ewe flock has also been through the pens.  Any that are lame or have had mastitis or other problems at lambing time are marked and transferred to the cull flock. Culll ewes are sold at Darlington mart although the best are kept for mutton in the butchery.  The breeding ewes are being tailed and condition scores checked (sorted into fatter and skinnier) in readiness for tupping next month. 
It's that dozy time of year when the wasps are stinging everything in sight, including poor old farmer Mark, who was minding his own business driving down the road on his quad bike (at speed)  when a wasp flew into his face (also at speed) and stung him. 2 days later and his cheek is still really swollen.

Broom House Butchery News  
Broom House lamb, finished on organic grass and clover,  is selling well, looking and tasting amazing, try some this weekend. Our great offer of £8.50/kg for half a lamb is still on.  Sundays are for roasts and this Nigel Slater  recipe for roast leg of lamb is sure to get the taste buds tingling.  This
also looks amazing.  
Back to school and back to normal in the Farm Shop. It's hard work getting back into the routine of early morning breakfasts and into the swing of post-school meal planning Nothing beats a proper chicken pie, bangers and mash or spaghetti bolognaise.   
A Broom House Breakfast is the perfect way to start the weekend - we have all the ingredients for a wonderful Saturday morning breakfast - the best sausages, bacon, eggs, black pudding together with proper bread, butter and organic milk. 
Let us know if you'd like any orders bringing down or delivering to your door. The Farm Shop's telephone number is 0191 371 8839.  

Broom House Farm Coffee Shop News 
Have you met our vibrant, young new team? Mel, Melissa, Chris and Scott are bringing new ideas and enthusiasm - try their creative quiches and cakes using produce from  the Little Farmers' garden. The Coffee Shop is open every day and it's still warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the views with a nice cup of coffee. 
As well as our range of coffees t here are all sorts of snacks on the specials board, with vegetarian options alongside our best selling full English Breakfasts and imaginative toasties. Look out for our new menu and do give us your feed back on it. 

Afternoon Tea (£19.90 for 2) is now being served in the Coffee Shop everyday, (please book a day or two in advance).    
Sunday Lunch is very popular so do ring the coffee shop 0191 371 8382 to book if you would like to be sure of enjoying our delicious roast Aberdeen Angus Beef, Saddleback pork or Lamb    We do update our Broom House Farm Facebook Page  with details of special events so keep an eye out for news! 
  Monday Mornings are kick started by our Little Farmer's Club at 10.00am sharp, great fun for you and your preschool sons and daughters and free of charge (as long as you stay for brunch afterwards!)  - wrap up warmly.    
The monthly Knitting Wednesday afternoons are held on the first Wednesday every month, all levels of knitter are welcome to come along from 1.30pm, these sessions are chatty, crafty and much cake is enjoyed!  
October is Taste Durham month  and we will have a special Durham Meal Deal on for the whole month - this year try our popular pulled pork sandwich with home made heritage apple sauce and a Fentiman's drink for just £7.00.
Watercolour Workshops with Jenny Ulyatt
Jenny will be continuing her successful watercolour painting workshops, please do drop Jenny a line if you'd like to join in.  These workshops run from 10am until 1pm and cost £30 including lunch. Beginners and more experienced welcome.

WORKSHOP DATES
19th, 20th, 21st October 
16th, 17th, 18th November
Christmas Diary dates
We will be holding our annual Christmas wreath making sessions in the first 2 weeks of December. This is such a jolly event for novice wreath makers and those who return year after year.  All materials provided along with some warming festive drinks and nibbles - plus a beautiful wreath to take home with you.  Join one of our morning, afternoon or evening groups, or book a private slot for you and your friends.   Price £30 - To book or for information about   corporate parties please email   

 














On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December Broom House Farm celebrates Christmas with a live Nativity performed by a large cast from the amazing Durham Musical Theatre Company.  Join us with your family to get in the Christmas spirit with carols and a lantern lit farm Nativity walk. There will be shepherds and wise men, real farm animals, supper, mulled wine & mince pies in the Coffee Shop. Admission by ticket only - tickets will be on sale online only on 1st October click here to book! At least £6 from each ticket sold will be given to DMTC to help keep this fantastic amateur theatre group afloat. 
The Forest Adventure is open at weekends . Aimed at 5-12 year olds, there's fun activities and quizzes, making a great family day out.  Dogs are welcome and there is no age restriction on the zip wire or play equipment.  Please keep an eye on the   facebook page for news of special offers.  
Broom House Birthday Parties , please head for the cafe to discuss your requirements or telephone 0191 371 8382. For   Laser Tag Booking s please ring Dereck
 
Health & Safety  Please supervise your children when you visit the farm.  It's very important to wash hands with soap and water after you've visited. Germs are invisible and there are bound to be lots of them on our farm. 
 
Educational Visits   If you would like to arrange a visit for your school this term, please  email  us as soon as possible. We can cover all sorts of topics, from foundation stage science to A Level Business Studies.  We are Forest Schools accredited and can also help with Food For Life Partnership Awards.
Thank you for reading our newsletter.  Please let us have your Broom House Farm news and stories, thank you to those of you who give us feedback by email and on our Facebook pages.  We're looking forward to seeing  you all up at the farm or down in Durham Market Place again soon.
  
With best wishes, 


Mark, Jane and

The Broom House Farm Team


FREE 

BEEF

MINCE!

 

Broom House Farm    
Bring this voucher to claim a free 500g packet of Aberdeen Angus beef steak mince when you spend £40 in the Farm Shop.  One voucher per visit please!
 
offer expires: 15th October 2016

£2 OFF

 

Forest Adventure Tickets    
Bring this voucher to claim a discounted family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for the amazing price of £14.00 (our standard family ticket price is £16)
offer expires: 20th October 2016
In This Newsletter

MACMILLAN 

COFFEE MORNING

coffee shopFriday 30th September

Join us in the Coffee Shop for our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning

and second hand book sale. We'll be donating £1 from every cuppa sold.  

DURHAM SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA
5th and 6th October
Please note new extended opening times...and free glass of wine! We will be at Ramside Hall hotel from 1.30pm until 8.30pm on Wednesday and between 10am and 4pm on Thursday - do come along, t here are loads of different stalls this year so this is a great chance to get some unusual presents for all the family and then buy something tasty for supper from Broom House Farm's stall.  Have a look at the DSE facebook page for more details
Broom House Farm Events

Mondays 10am termtime - Little Farmers
 
Weekends & Half Term Forest Trail Open 10:30am-4pm
 
Friday 30th September Macmillan Coffee Morning 

5th & 6th October Durham Shopping Extravaganza

Wednesday 5th October Knit & Natter in the Coffee Shop 1.30pm 

16-18th October Watercolour Workshop 

Thursday 17th October Durham Farmers' Market

Find our more details by checking the Broom House Farm Website 
  Broom House Farm Product of the Month 

  

BROOM HOUSE APPLES

You'll find lots of these in the Coffee Shop and Farm Shop in the next few weeks.   The orchard was replanted in 2001 with heritage varieties that would have been grown here 100 years ago and this year looks like being a bumper harvest.  These apples form the base of our legendary Broom House Farm Chutney

Who's Who 
at Broom House Farm?
Mel
Always up for a challenge, Mel has been helping us to run the Coffee Shop since the Spring (although she also worked here as a fresh faced 17 year old!).  Here she is in a field helping us promote Tatse Durham month! She has created a great team in the Coffee Shop - read our facebook reviews for the proof! In her spare time she mucks out her son Ben's guinea pigs!
Spooky Farm Adventure   
 
Dare you visit us for a chilling walk through the frightful forest and avoid the spells of the wicked witch?   Half term fun....details to follow, no need to book! 

COMPETITION

  Tweet to Win 

Afternoon Tea for two.

Tell us on twitter why you would like to win Afternoon Tea and who you would like to bring. Closing date 7th October 2016

September Recipe
DELIA'S SHIN OF BEEF STEW & HERBY DUMPLINGS
INGREDIENTS
900 g shin or stewing beef
1 x 500 ml bottle pale ale
40 g plain flour
350 g carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
350 g swede, peeled, 1 cm chunks
4 small onions peeled and left whole
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
freshly milled black pepper
For the dumplings:
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon snipped chives
175 g self-raising flour
75 g shredded suet
2 level teaspoons grain mustard

METHOD 
Put the seasoned flour into a bowl. Then dip each piece of meat into the flour, giving them all a good coating and, as you do this, arrange the pieces on a plate.Now, arrange the meat and vegetables in the casserole, tucking the vegetables around the meat as it goes in. Next, add the herbs, pour the ale over everything and place the casserole over direct heat. Bring everything up to a gentle simmer, cover the casserole with a tight-fitting lid , place the casserole in the pre-heated oven, on the middle shelf, and give it 4½ hours cooking time. After that, remove it from the oven, turn the oven temperature up to 200°C and make the dumplings. Mix flour, mustard powder, add the suet and chives and freshly milled black pepper. Now mix the grain mustard with 3 tablespo ons of cold water in a separate bowl, sprinkle it over the dry ingredients and, first using a knife and finally your hands, bring it together to a soft dough, adding a little more water if you need it.  To make the dumplings, divide the dough into 8 and roll them into little rounds using the palms of your hands.Pop them into the casserole and then return it to the oven, this time without a lid, and cook until the dumplings are golden brown and crusty.

and finally...

Christmas Orders!

   Christmas orders are now being taken...turkeys, geese, beef, hams, sausaged, bacon etc

  • FARM SHOP & BUTCHERY 0191 371 8839.  Free local delivery and Next Day national delivery.           
  • CAFE and BIRTHDAY PARTIES 0191 371 8382. 
  • EDUCATIONAL VISITS 0191 371 9697                            
  • Email: broomhousedurham@btinternet.com