AGREEED. Loverly mulch on here at The Herb Farm, Ivegill!

We're so grateful to have the support of Rachel's family, and hope to restore this place to something like the way it is so fondly remembered. The most encouraging word we have had so far was from Rachel's mother, who told us that Harry and Rosemary, the original Herb Farmers, would be proud of us.

Starting this December, we've decided to try and get The Herb Farm back into business, kicking off by learning the craft of blending teas and herbal teas. Rachel has come into her own planning this - she's a herb farmer's granddaughter for sure!

It was an autumn evening in The Herb Farm gardens recently, watching the sun set and the stars rise, having some moments of peace as I was away from work to look after my mental health, that we began really talking about it: what if we could restart The Herb Farm.

I had long been keen on cooking and gardening and I also loved growing and buying interesting herbs and making teas. When I think about it, my marriage - to a herb farmer's granddaughter - makes more and more sense! We immediately started playing in the garden, planting herbs and lavender.

I looked around, gobsmacked, then had one day to put things in order, before I was back to work at the secondary school on the other side of the county where I taught English. I'd just come out of teaching through Covid and moving into The Herb Farm and its gardens seemed like stepping into a dream.

It's almost exactly four years ago we moved here, bringing our furniture in borrowed (and very well pressured washed!) cattle trailers, with our 3 year old son in tow. We were welcomed by Rachel's auntie who lives just down the road, with a huge bowl of soup!