A few words from John Jeffries………….

 

On Thursday 25 July- the hottest day since records began- a group of Long Bennington Local History Society members, their friends and relatives braved the exceedingly high temperatures to visit Farmer Barnes’ Dairy Farm in Somerby near Melton Mowbray. We were greeted by Jane and Mark Barnes in their modern dairy farm where they have more than 250 Ayrshire and Friesian cows producing milk exclusively for the award winning Long Clawson Blue Stilton Cheese. After an introductory talk from Jane in the new “cow classroom” we took a gentle tractor and trailer ride through the fields. Back at base we observed, from an overhead viewing gallery, the cows being milked in the brand new milking parlour before we returned to the classroom for afternoon tea with homemade cakes. The visit was educational, entertaining and enjoyable and we are all grateful to Marion Boyd for organising the trip for us.