WINNER FOR FAMILY FARMING BUSINESS
OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by: JG Animal Health
The Gay family
Newton and Park farm, Newton Farm Foods LTD, Somerset
WHEN third generation Duchy of Cornwall tenants Hugh and Celia Gay gave up milking in 1991, they began selling beef direct to customers, progressing into a small farm-based butchery.
Today, the butchery employs three full-time staff and one full time butcher. Meat is sold wholesale and the family has a full farm shop and licensed cafe.
The family also runs an outside catering business and Hugh and eldest daughter Kirstie still run the original delivery service within the local community three nights a week.
The couple’s four children are all involved in the business and the family has 450 beef cattle, a small herd of pigs, a flock of sheep and manages about 243 hectares (600 acres) of arable land.
What the judges said: “The family show a real determination to turn their business around since giving up milking and that their achievements were all the more exceptional because it is a tenanted farm.”
On winning: The Gay Family
Celia says: “We are shocked to have won but it’s really great and we’ve have a fantastic night.”
“For us family is such an important part of our farming business.”