INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 12
MEET THE CLIENT: FLAKEBRIDGE FARM
We chat to Andrew and Emma Skidmore who work their regenerated farm
amongst the Howgills Fells, about farming now and in the future with help from
Amanda Wilson, Rural Chartered Surveyor.
For most farmers, leaving the security of the family
farm business to take on a rough fell farm is a big jump
– but Andrew thrives on the challenge, and has some
big boots to fill.
Tell us about your farming background…
“My Grandfather introduced the family to farming
soon after World War II. One of three brothers, Billy was
evacuated from Tyneside to a very welcoming and loving
farming family in Weardale. By the time the war was over
Grandad had the farming bug,” he explains. “With a loan
from his evacuee Mum, Billy bought his first pocket of
farmland with a promise to pay back every penny.”
Andrew’s Grandfather went on to turn that pocket of land
into a fruitful venture with enough to pay back the loan
and in time move to another farm, eventually creating the
family business and farming life was deeply instilled.
Emma on the other hand, never set foot on a farm until
she reached her 30s, being a self-titled ‘Townie’, she
soon realised farming wasn’t 9am-5pm! “Andrew was so
passionate and driven and I couldn’t help but be swept
along with it. It was a huge culture shock (nobody warned
me about lambing!!) but I quickly caught the bug, realising
this is more than just a job, it’s a way of life”, explains Emma.
…and the farm?
In 2017 Emma and Andrew purchased Flakebridge Farm,
with assistance from Andrew’s father. Taking on a traditional
hill farm, using a combination of modern and traditional
farming methods and making it a raging success was
Andrew’s dream.
Sitting right on the border of Cumbria and North
Yorkshire, the farm successfully rears a flock of around
800 sheep, mostly Swaledale but with a thriving flock of
Valais Blacknose, one of which was a reserve champion
in a countrywide virtual sheep show last year. The Valais
are really Emma’s labour of love and she has big plans for
these very friendly and loveable characters, Tthe Valais love
people, especially children and just being around them has
the most amazing benefits on mental health.”
Andrew goes on to say “Most of the animals’ diet comes
from grass and seed we grow, what goes in only comes
from our land. This was previously an unmanaged hill farm
11
and the past 5 years have been a real effort to ensure the
soil is top notch to feed the stock, but the effort has paid
off and we are seeing a real difference.”
Explain your relationship with youngsRPS?
Emma, who works part-time as a medical secretary
alongside her farming life, was keen to contribute more
when it became clear they needed to start preparing
for funding withdrawal and the impending agricultural
transition. Emma and Andrew knew they would need
expert guidance to ensure things were done properly and
contacted our Hexham Mart team.
“youngsRPS helped massively, just being there and willing
to listen and guide. No matter what my daft questions are,
I will always get a helpful response” says Emma.
Andrew goes on “Times are changing and we’re preparing
to move with them. We’ve already received a huge amount
of input with funding schemes and help with planning
permission with our holiday pods, which have been a huge
success.
Amanda explains; “Andrew and Emma initially contacted
me to discuss the planning requirements for an
agricultural building and this led to a discussion about
various other matters including subsidies, grant funding,
diversification and of course Valais Blacknose Sheep! We
are always happy to help and discuss clients requirements
at length whether it be on Zoom like my initial meeting
with Andrew and Emma or round the kitchen table with a
cup of tea.”
Amanda joined the rural team
in November 2019. Based in the
Hexham Mart office, her main duties
involve sales and lettings, stewardship
and grants, utility claims, agricultural
planning and valuations.