Celebrating our Female Suppliers
In the lead up to International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March, we’re celebrating some of the incredible women behind a selection of the amazing local brands available from the shop. We spoke to our female suppliers to find out a little more about the ladies who have, and continue, to inspire them.
Penny at Feltham’s Farm
Certified organic with The Soil Association, Feltham’s Farm in Somerset, adopts only organic methods to create their flavoursome selection of four cheeses. Their ‘La Fresca Margarita’, a fresh Queso Fresco won ‘Best British Cheese’ at the virtual Cheese Awards in 2021 and we’re delighted to have collaborated with them on our very own version of this cheese that’s flavoured with the honey harvested by our bees.
We took a closer look at the female craftsmanship behind this brand and spoke to Penny who’s at the helm of the business alongside her partner, Marcus.
“I LOVE International Women’s Day, and here are some of the women who have inspired me and got me to where I am now : –
Amanda at Granny Gothards
We spoke to Amanda at Granny Gothards, an artisan ice cream brand that only uses the finest ingredients from Mother Nature to make their scrumptious sweet treats. We’ve worked alongside Granny Gothards to produce our tasty ice cream using honey harvested from our hives and apples handpicked from our Somerset orchard.
Amanda told us that she’s “inspired by women in manufacturing…only 15% of UK manufacturing is currently made up by us girls. I’m also constantly in awe of the female team here at Granny Gothards on a daily basis.”
Sarah Jane at Sarah Jane Ceramics
From her pottery studio in Dorset, Sarah Jane produces handmade ceramics that make the perfect addition to any home, including these stunning hand thrown pudding bowls that are available to purchase in the Farm Shop and order online, HERE.
When we asked Sarah about the female figures who inspire her, we were truly touched…
“A lot of people are inspired by their mum, including me. In turn I am always in awe of my maternal grandmother too. Both women had significant struggles in their lives, but they continued without complaint or assistance. My grandmother had 9 children, her husband died young yet in the 1930s she ‘adopted’ a 10th child and took in his struggling single mother who had been disowned by her family. She was strong but kind. She died when I was 6 at the age of 81, I wish I’d known her longer. If you can be anything in the world, be kind.”
Emma and Jess at Hog and Tallow Soaps
Hog and Tallow not only make soaps that smell divine, but they use local businesses bi produce and unconventionally, tallow fat, from their farm and neighbouring farms to create the final product. We have collaborated with them to produce a stunning selection of handcrafted soaps that are fragrant with the herbs and fruits grown in our walled garden. They’re available to shop in-store, or you order them online.
“With our love of botanicals and Jess’s horticulture and growing background, Lynne Boddy is an amazing inspiration. She is a professor of microbial ecology and has done some inspiring research into fungi and its connection to the world around us. Cecylia Malik, artist and environmental activist also inspires us. Based in Krakow she combines her creativity with protest to preserve heritage, community and the beauty of nature and the environment.”
Samantha at Lavender Blue Bakery
From her small independent bakery in Dorset, Samantha and the team at Lavender Blue, produce the tastiest handmade cakes entirely from scratch, using locally sourced ingredients wherever they can. We’re so honoured to have their delicious brownies, Victoria sponges and fruit cakes on our bakery table. Make sure you pop by and treat yourself to a slice, or two!
Several women inspire Samantha, including…
Beckie at Harth
Harth sources its cocoa beans from fair trade growers, takes pride in its creative, sustainable packaging and the team uses traditional, handmade methods to produce the most delectable chocolates, truffles and hot chocolate. Harth are regular attendees at our community events, and you’ll find Beckie serving their scrumptious hot chocolates from their converted 1963 French Citroen cattle truck.
We have teamed up with Harth to create a selection of handmade truffles that are inspired by the flavours from our walled garden. Shop their range of truffles and chocolates in-store or order them online.
“I tend to be drawn to difficult women with obscure visions of success or pioneering trajectories, including Frances Farmer, Sarah Breedlove, Isabella Blow, Sondra Lock, Virginia Wolf, Mary Seacole and Yoko Ono. I admire female leadership and the varying forms it takes. Being uncompromising is rarely celebrated in women and can be an uncomfortable mantle. That’s why all of these women’s achievements are all the more impressive.”
Whether it’s beautiful ceramics, deletable cheeses, scrumptious cakes or chocolates, our female suppliers create wonderful homewares and produce using their skills and passion. They’re all incredibly talented artisans and we’re so proud to be working alongside such an inspirational bunch!