CHARLOTTE GURNEY IS FULL OF FESTIVE CHEER AS SHE LOOKS BACK AT QUITE A YEAR AT THE FAMILY FARM
CHRISTMAS TIME brings an extra aura of joviality to our farmshop and community at White House Farm. The team spirit is roaming through the different shops on the farm, the beautician, gift shop etc, and there was even a cheer for the farmer as he teetered at the top of his ladder putting up our slender Christmas tree. It was carefully chosen by three generations of Gurneys as we stood in the wood, looking up, wondering which one to go for, while Freekah the labrador bothered poor unsuspecting mice at the other end!
It is, of course, the moment we catch up with customers who haven't been in for a while and we hear their Christmas plans and where they're taking their prize Norfolk turkey from our butcher, to enjoy the family celebrations. Some make it to Lincoln, some to Leicestershire and the odd one to Corfu!
Wherever the end destination, our team of butchers wrap and pack each bird lovingly, carefully labelling them until their collection on Christmas Eve. It's community spirit at its finest and reminds me of the highlights of starting your own business and really knowing the people who shop with you from week to week. Likewise we'll be celebrating Christmas this month with our staff and it is the perfect moment to enjoy a glass or two and look back on the year that has passed and all our achievements.
Sometimes, with a young family and an ever evolving business, it is easy to gloss over these golden milestones and December is a good moment for reflection. I am delighted to say we have had many new joiners this year and, due to our bustling cafe, we always tend to be creating new opportunities.
Flashing back to the year of 2017, in January, we took the plunge and opened our converted farm units to shops and services. It was a great leap, asking other businesses to join our ride as we become one of Norwich's best destinations for retail and indulgence! Our hairdresser, beautician, gift shop, dance studio, ladies' clothing shop and children's nursery are all thriving one year on and it is wonderful to have them with us.
Our greatest achievement, and where we have most pride, was our win at Battle of the Bangers: the Norfolk Sausage competition which asks the public to vote for their favourite sausage/butcher. No one was more amazed than us when the result was read out on a hot June day and it was the accolade we needed to firmly put Steve, our butcher, on the map. He has already had a glowing career of his own, but it was certainly a morale
boost for Jack, our apprentice. Other highlights have included our brilliant Plant Fair, where BBC Norfolk Radio’s The Garden Party broadcast live from the event, interviewing all the gardening enthusiasts that listened intently in our courtyard. There have been many farmers' markets, a bumper Christmas Market last month, and our CBeebies appearance on the BBC - certainly a highlight for the team!
We always strive to evolve and improve and have much planned for 2018, including a new menu. We've listened to feedback and hope we've created a special list of goodies to choose from, not to mention our daily array of cakes! We send goodwill to our customers, suppliers and beyond wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year!