We are Pauline and Trevor Robb and we first arrived at New Barn Farm in May 2004, initially the plan was just to use the land as grazing for our two horses, but we soon realised that even though they both eat lots, they would be pushed to eat 10 acres of grass.

The farm has two large barns, a couple of stables  and at the time of purchase just two fields where the fencing was falling down.

Just before we purchased the farm, I was inspired by the first of the River Cottage series which as we do not have a TV, we had missed but due to a hospital stay which had a television...

As soon as I came out of hospital, we purchased the DVD of the series and realised that if only we had the land, that is what we would like to do, produce our own livestock where we know what they have eaten and more important, what kind of life they have had.

Having realised that we now did have the space to keep some other livestock we decided to get a small herd of cattle.  We wanted a traditional breed but also one where they would be gentle and be good mothers, after lots of searching on the inter-net we decided on the Dexter breed and by chance found a lady in Coton who was having to give up her herd as she was about to become ordained and did not know where she would be working.

Next came the chickens, we had a few Black Rocks, a couple of Light Sussex, who are the real comedians of the chicken world, and a couple of Lavenders.  Before we had them, I never really believed that an egg could taste so good.  To start with, they were allowed to roam all over the farm, but to our dismay, a local fox decided that they were rather tasty.  Trevor then had to build a large enclosure for them which seems to have done the trick.  The other good thing about the enclosure is that we no longer have to search high and low looking for where the chickens were laying their eggs.

Trevor's next idea was to get some pigs.  I was not entireley convinced about this, not knowing anything about them apart from the fact that they smell! (based on the film Waking Ned Devine)

Against my better judgement, I was persuaded to that we should get four weaners and see how we get on.  Once again we had the debate as to which breed to get as we again wanted a traditional breed, one that would produce "old fashioned" pork and one that would not be too agressive.  After lots of research and meeting some breeders at one of the Young Farmers Show, we decided on the Gloucester Old Spots.

Our four weaner duly arrived and the rest as they say is history as we now have three breeding Sows and one Boar.

In August 2009, we were lucky enough to rent some more grazing land but one of the conditions of the rental was that we also took over some other land which would only be suitable for sheep.  This resulted in us deciding to expand our existing flock of four by travelling to Norfolk to find a suitable ram and then to Kent to find some Wethers and Ewes.  Apart from them managing to eat most of my orchard, they are actually nicer than I thought they would be.  The ram is very friendly and as well as having our first batch of Hogget in January, from which I am hoping that we can try some for ourselves, although the way the orders are flooding in, I am not so sure that we will have any left.  We are also hoping that we may have a few lambs as well. 

In between all this, we also have aquired some ducks which are mainly to be used for eggs once they start laying!

So far, it has been a very enjoyable five years even though it has been hard work, mainly done by Trevor and we have had one or two ups and downs, but that happens when you have livestock.  We get lots of visitors, usually by prior arrangement, and we really enjoy showing people around, especially the kids.  And the best thing is when people come back for more orders saying how wonderful both the beef and the pork is.