Poultry problems....

Now that the snow has finally decided to leave us (fingers crossed!) everything is starting to bloom.... Martin & I walked Basil at Haughmond Hill this morning and noticed how green everything was becoming, compared to only last week!  About time at the beginning of May I guess!
We have had a visit from a phantom bird snatcher this month.  Our poor bantams (of which there were 5) all disappeared, unfortunaly leaving some tell tale signs of lots of tufts of feathers .... but we also lost 4 ducks!  I think it must be something which has come in from above (Buzzard or Owl) and taken them ...the ducks left no trace, not a feather left which is what makes me question whether the culprit was a fox or not!?
Any comments welcome on this one!!.....

When we got over the emotional loss of our lovely bantams, we decided that we would rescue some egg laying farm chickens, so last weekend picked up 6 sorrowful looking birds from Shawbury.  Megan and Rosie felt very sorry for these 6 birds and suggested that we make them a coat or jumper.  Low and behold on the internet we found a knitting pattern for a 'chicken sweater'!  So we and our friends have been making chicken sweaters!  Here is 'Jade' sporting her new jumper which Megan helped with!!!

She looks mighty fine doesn't she!?  If anyone fancies knitting one too email me on mel@churchfarm-shropshire.co.uk and I can send you the pattern.

Our beautiful Magnolia is in full bloom this week and this is the view from Rooms 1 and 2 at Church Farm.

Basils restaurant is fully booked until the middle of June, although I have just recieved a rare cancellation for 17th May, so again please email me or call 01952251927 if you would like dinner at Basils on that Friday.
Speak soon
Mel x

3 of our latest trip advisor reviews...

“Superb”

Reviewed 1 April 2013

Was this review helpful?Yes

We have just returned from a 3 night stay at Church Farm. We were celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary with our family. Nine of us stayed and 3 more joined us for a meal at Basil's restaurant on Friday evening. Mel made us feel extremely welcome. Nothing was too much trouble and we felt very welcome in Mel and Martin's home. The rooms were all very clean and comfortable. The food was absolutely superb. We were spoiled for choice at breakfast time and between us tried everything on offer! Mel provided tea and hot cross buns on our return from a day out on Saturday. Basil, the very friendly Staffy was always at our feet and enjoyed joining us on a long walk on Haughmond Hill on Easter Sunday. I cannot recommend Church Farm and Basil's highly enough. It really is a home from home. We will definitely return in the near future. Many thanks Mel and Martin.

“Going the extra mile”

Reviewed 27 April 2013

Was this review helpful?Yes1

Following my mother-in-law’s funeral at Wrockwardine Church opposite and my husband’s parents lifelong links with the Church, Church Farm Guest House was the obvious choice for her wake. We could not have made a better choice, nothing was too much trouble and Mel took the ever changing numbers of who might attend with a ‘no problem don’t worry we can cope’ attitude. The food was excellent, plentiful and reasonable, the welcome warm and friendly. Following our experience I am sure whether for a special evening meal, a long weekend or a wedding reception you could not go wrong with choosing Church Farm Guest House.

“Welcoming, friendly Guest House, fantastic food.”

Reviewed 29 March 2013

Was this review helpful?Yes

Fantastic service, fantastic food, very welcoming ....... We were celebrating our 10th Anniversary and were looking for somewhere special that had character was charming and child friendly and not just a large hotel. From the moment we met Mel, martin and their children we knew we had found that special place. Mel and her family could not have done anything more to make our day wonderful, the personal friendly service added to our wonderful day, we could not have found a more perfect home from home. The rooms have character are extremely clean and very comfortable. I would definitely recommend Church Farm Guest House for that special time away. This has to to be the most welcoming and accommodating Guest House we have ever stopped in. Thank you Mel and Martin for making our day so wonderful x

Spring 2013... finally!

Finally! Finally.... Spring looks like it may be here! Shropshire has seen some fantastic snowy pictures over the last few months, and experienced one of the coldest Easters that I can remember!  Little video clips of Rosie and Megan in their swimwear with friends in the garden, being sprayed with a hose pipe seemed like a bit of a joke this year when the 2013 alternative was ski wear and boots!
I have just been out into the garden and have photographic evidence that buds are starting to burst!

First Camilia!

Basil at Church Farm

Magnolias Just starting to burst!

St Peters and our popping Magnolia!

The guest house (despite the weather has been extremely busy over the last 3 weeks and bookings are looking good into the summer. Basils restaurant has maintained its AA Rosette into another year 2103/14 and we have also stayed in the short listings with the Good Hotel Guide 2013 which we are really pleased about. Our AA listing for accommodation has been upgraded and we are now 4 star GOLD so come to Shropshire and visit us!


We have some last minute 'deals' available at the moment... just call 01952 251927 and ask for April Deals. Basils bookings are extremely busy... we have 2 tables left for Friday 7th June at the moment... so get them whilst they're free.
Martin & I have lots of exciting plans for 2013 so we'll keep you all posted.
Farewell for now.
Mel x

2013 Shropshires Year!

Now that the major events of 2012 are in the history books, 2013 is the year to see the UK and Shropshire in particular!   Shropshire is expecting a good visitor influx this Spring / Summer with our major tourist attraction receiving so much publicity over the last month or so.  

Yes! Ironbridge Gorge Museums has beaten off stiff competition to be the 2012 most highly recommended UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK according to the TripAdvisor® traveller community.  It also takes second place in the world behind the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa, China and ahead of the Egyptian Pyramids and India’s Taj Mahal.


As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution 300 years ago, the Ironbridge Gorge is still amazing visitors today. Here you will find the world’s first cast iron bridge built over the River Severn in 1779 and ten museums spread along its banks together with restaurants, shops, guest accommodation and a host of attractions.

There are many events over the February Half Term and Easter holidays... 

Luckily for Church Farm Guests, a mere 9 miles will take you to Ironbridge.  We have money off vouchers for our guests for annual passports, which makes a fun filled weekend very economical.  

Other attractions nearby are Wroxeter Roman Village & Vineyard, Attingham Park, David Austin Roses, RAF Cosford, Powis Castle and many more.... Now that the worst of the winter weather is behind us, look forward to a chilled out trip to Shropshire and a cosy stay at Church Farm. Cant wait to meet you!Mel x
x

Sunny Shropshire...

Oh my goodness... I have just realised that 6 months have passed and I have not written a single BLOG since January!  SO much has happened in 6 months:::
1. The chickens were ALL stolen in April 2012 and so I have been buying my eggs from the farm across the road, until my new 5 pullets start laying...however..... THEY NEED SOME SUNSHINE (please) to get going!
2. The ducks are doing well, however also need some sunshine (please again!)
3. Rosie and Megan have almost finished another year at school... Rosie moves classes next term to year 3 and Megs stays with her teacher another year but moves up to year 2.
4. Martin is running the catering at Wrekin Golf Club - this has taken most of his time to get up and running from a pretty still start, however he's getting there now. but as above NEEDS SOME SUNSHINE to get golfers out on the course and come back hungry!
5. To keep up with daddy Rosie and Megan have started golf lessons... they have all the gear and hopefully some idea!
6. I have been busy with guest house, girls, animals and have also joined the Purple Pig brigade and have a small Utility Warehouse business which is slowly doing very well indeed!

So... busy busy busy!  We also are delighted to have received some further awards this year...

plus we also have received a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor!  The Good Hotel Guide have carried us forward into 2013 guide also which is great news!

We held the St Peters Church Fete in our garden for the first time on 7th July.  Megan was honoured to be fete queen this year, and the weather held off for her crowning before literally BUCKETING down for 1 1/2 hours!  Oh well... the fete raised over £2,500 towards the Church fund which was great considering Mr Almighty rained on us all day!!!

 

Heres hoping for a summer as the kids break up from school tomorrow!

Hope you all have a great summer ... we do have some availability should anyone fancy a trip to Sunny Shropshire over the school holidays.....!

Lots of Love

Mel x

Happy New Year from Church Farm

The end of 2011 was a very positive month for Martin & I... Basils at Church Farm was busier than ever with small Christmas parties and families coming to dine in a relaxed environment prior to the Christmas madness!
We also discovered that a Shropshire Star reviewer had been in to eat, as our review which was rated at 5 stars (!) was published on Saturday 17th December (read it here) we are over the moon with the 5 stars and the article certainly has encouraged many more people to try the restaurant during January as the restaurant is filling up nicely... maybe time to back it up with some advertising now?...

Martin went snow boarding first week in January to blow away all the over indulgence of Christmas. This left me with the job of walking Basil every day which I have always seen as a chore!  I have a new neighbour from the village, fondly named 'Mad Sue' so walked with her and her dogs everyday.  Since Martin has been back to Martins amazement I have walked everyday with him and Basil which has changed my days significantly giving me loads of energy to get through the day with endorphins in my system! Very positive (although lets wait and see if the weather gets bad and guest house needs more rooms servicing daily!)

The Girls are enjoying life back at school - in fact they are at Stoke Castle today on a field trip so glad the winter sun is shining on them today! They have both become complete techno addicts and spend alot of time at home on their computors - I am amazed how quickly a 5 and 7 year old can surf their way around a computor and find exactly what they need!  Rosie is doing school projects through research on line and producing word documents and Megsy is loving uploading music and putting together artistic impressions with wordart... crazy!

The Bantams which we hatched in the autumn have now developed into 2 hens and 2 cockerels (we think!) albeit have no eggs off them yet - so I'll be looking for those in the next few months otherwise the darling bantams will be gone I'm afraid!  We are planning to add to our livestock this Spring with 2 pigs!  They are going on theleft hand side of the car park (which will be walled off) Martin is very keen to go 'Good Life' this year and start providing alot of our food 'raw materials'! So ... lets see what that brings!

2012 is going to be a very exciting year for us as we have many new ventures ready to try.... including a Basils by the Sea! But you'll have to wait and see which sea... I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime wishing you a very Happy & Prosperous New Year... until we speak again.
Lots of Love
Mel xxx

End of season...beginning of next...

Wow this summer has been our busiest ever! and now is the time to breath,,, list,,, and renew,,,, for the winter season.! 

Thank you to all who have written us online reviews as we have been selected for...

Martin being Martin has taken up a new venture with the onset of Autumn and has opened a new Basil's Kitchen at an old venue!  The Plough at Allscott has seen a few 'dodgy' food years since we left in 2008, Martin has now taken the kitchen back under his wing and with his new team have this week launched 'Basils at The Plough'... The menu is short, sharp and very Shropshire! ... click this link for full menu BASILS AT THE PLOUGH .
The menu started on Friday 9th September and the first weekend has been a huge success so word of mouth should now start to bring customers back to this gorgeous country pub!

The baby poultry - Ducks and Bantam are no longer babies and are cheeping and quacking along with their piers in the relevant runs.  Its been a great experience  incubating and hatching baby hens and ducks and its really gratifying to see the kids all so excited about their development.  We think we have one drake amongst our 3 baby ducks and we are hoping that the Bantams are all hens!

We hope you will try the new menu at Basils Plough - also available on twitter @basilsplough and facebook

Kindest regards
Mel x

July 2011

Finally the last of our eggs have hatched and we have 4 gorgeous little Bantam chicks growing fast in the shed!  They haven't any names yet but sure Rosie & Megs will soon get their naming hats on... Polly, Judy and Emmie are growing fast - they have half their feathers already and are nearing their parents in size!  (I do believe that 'Polly' is in fact a Drake!?) anyone with any 'how to sex a duck' advise please get in touch!!!

July always hosts the infamous Wrockwardine Church Fete and this years was no acception, one of the only gorgeous sunny days of the month to date too!  

Rosie had the honour of standing as Fete Queen this year, with Megan and another little village girl Alicia as her assistants... they all did a grand job and were crowned by the Colonel, as this is his last Fete as he and his family will be moving down to Dorset in December this year.

I think all will agree that the girls all looked rather beautiful!

 

 

We have started visits from JOGLE cyclists and Shropshire Way walkers.  

In fact this week we have fed&bed 4 cyclists some of which came in 2009 on the cycle journey from Lands end TO John O'groats - this year they are travelling downhill!  Much more sensible...

We hope to hear from them in a few days to hear that they have made it down to the Cornish tip Lands End... Good luck Guys!

 and with the schools breaking up tomorrow, I will finish this blog to get on with some 6 week planning!
LOL Mel x

Thursday 21st July 2011