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Tom Parkinson, Cliftons Farm, Inglewhite

Cliftons Farm was mentioned in the Doomsday Book wherein Inglewhite was recognised as ideal for raising dairy cattle. The cellars of the present building date from the twelfth century; it was most recently re-built in 1772.

Geoffrey Parkinson comes from a family of dairy farmers ~ and took the tenancy of Cliftons to provide a home for Evelyn when they married in 1967. He gradually began to realise that some of the chemical sprays he was using were affecting his health, but the terms of the tenancy placed restrictions on the use of the land and the way it was farmed so he was bound to continue high input farming until he was able to buy the freehold in 1986 ~ the year their youngest son Thomas was born.

Ownership gave Geoffrey freedom to manage the farm his own way; he embarked on a plan to become self sufficient, growing all of the winter feed for his herd of pedigree Jersey cattle as well as fruit and vegetables for his family. Cliftons Farm came to my notice when it was granted organic certification in 1997 since when I have used it as my source of fresh milk, eggs and jersey cream as well as fruit and vegetables in season.

Thomas graduated from the local agricultural college with distinction in June 2006 - and was handed the keys to the farm! He has begun to develop many of his dad's initiatives since he has been in charge...

Apart from being very agressive when they 'grow up', male Jersey cattle are not economic as beef animals so Tom rears them for me as rose veal - with the help of Flamingo, a gentle seven year old who has a full time job as a 'wet nurse'!

Click on the link to the gallery to see Flamingo - as well as...

Amy and Sarah - Tom's Saddleback sows; crossed with a Gloucester Old Spot boar the piglets are all the colours of the rainbow!

Half a dozen geese proved to be inattentive mothers in their first year and only managed one chick. 2008 is looking much more healthy; when I visited the farm at the beginning of May 2008  Tom had already hatched several dozen chicks who we hope will be lovely and fat come Christmas!

Tom also supplies us walnuts (which we pickle when they are green) and fruit from the farms orchard; Evelyn's Autumn Delight raspberries picked in November and served with Jersey cream are one of my most favourite treats!!!

If you want to buy Cliftons Farm produce you will have to travel to Silk Mill Lane, Inglewhite, about six miles north of Preston.

Tom's telephone number is 019 9564 0564

e-mail: farmerparky@yahoo.com