Clough Bottom Farm - History and Origins
A model for diversification and conservation
Clough Bottom has come a long way since Harry took on the farm almost 30 years ago. Here's a timeline of the diversification that has taken place:
- In the 1950s the farm was predominantly livestock and dairy
- In the early 1960s dairy was diminished in favour of increased sheep and beef farming
- Harry's father built battery cabins for egg production
- An animal feeds processing plant was introduced in the late 1960s
- By the early 1970s numbers of hens had increased towards 9000
- In the mid 1970s the egg market was in decline
- In the 1980s egg production was scaled back
- In 1983 Harry took over the farm from his father after studying agricultural engineering and agriculture
- On taking over the farm, conservation work intensified - 'lost' hedges were reinstated, trees were planted and ponds restored
- During the 1980s and 1990s the hen battery cabins were dismantled and the site cleared
- Sheep buildings were errected and sheep numbers increased
- In 1986 Harry married Jane - a national training manager for Next
- In 1989 Focus Experiential Training was launched using the farm as a backdrop for the outdoor activities
- In 1991 the first training barn was converted (prior to this the farmhouse and buildings around the farm had been used)
- Business growth resulted in the Outbarn being converted into a second training barn and the creating of a new office to support growing staff numbers
- Hedgerow and woodland work continued as part of the conservation strategy throughout the years
- In 1999 Clough Bottom started growing ornamental trees which were easy to dig up, promote and sell
- In the same year, a converted coach house was converted into a self-catering holiday cottage
- Two further cottages were converted in 2004
- In 2006 a water borehole was drilled to reduce water consumption
- In 2008 a recyling barn was introduced and now the entire site, holiday cottages, office and farmhouse generate less waste than one domestic household
- In 2009 a bio-diesel processing plant was introduced to clean and convert waste cooking oils into biodiesel for the farm vehicles
- In the same year a polytunnel was built to increase the range and growing season of organic 'PYO' produce for our guests and for use in the Focus delegates lunches
- In 2010 two behives were installed
- In 2011 Clough Bottom Farm Cottages was awarded a 'Silver Award' in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in the Sustainable Tourism Category.
- In November 2012 the new Biomass Boiler was successfully fired up to provide heating and hot water to properties on the farm including our training facilities, office and site kitchen using a very efficient burning process which is fully automatic.
- In August 2013 our new Out Barn venue will open. Ideal for Country Weddings and Family Celebrations
