One of the farmers at Eastnor has reintroduced pigs onto the farm. Until 1939, most of the farms and cottages here had pigsties. Whereas farms would have had quite a few pigs grunting away in brick-built accommodation, there would only be one or two pigs at the back of a cottage, but they performed a useful function consuming food left-overs, potato peelings, excess apple crops etc so that the sort of food waste that today gets recycled or simply buried in the landfill was avoided. It was an efficient and thrifty approach.

Simon & Sophie Blandford have decided to bring the pigs back. They have plenty of space at Netherton Farm, and the pigs seem pretty content. As they are woodland animals, they like the freedom to wander amongst the trees and grub about in the shade. We haven’t quite organised the waste food from our catering to go to them yet, but that is the next logical stage.

In the meantime, we are able to offer our guests home-grown bacon and sausages, in the old fashioned way. Herefordshire is proud of its food and drink and we are delighted to be able to offer the real thing to our visitors too. Come and try them! J H-B 26/3