Out Meeting
Mon, Jun 18th 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rumwell Farm Shop
44 Members and wives were joined by Vanessa Marchmont from Inner Wheel, Tony Tucker & wife from RC Kloof, Richard Dyke from RC Otter Valley and Paul Kelly from RC Andover, to hear from the Proprietors of Rumwell Farm Shop, David and Anne Mitchell, at their Café and enjoy a delicious Carvery.
President Colin welcomed everybody, and Derek Smalley, neighbour and customer of the Mitchells introduced them.
This charismatic and astute business couple then took it in turns to tell us how their motto of “Out of Adversity comes Opportunity” had enabled them to turn a farm into the current successful venture of 620 Acres involving all their family.
Fluctuating prices for potatoes led them to sell at the farm gate, and classifying a Potato store and grading barn as a permitted Agricultural building, enabled the first Farm Shop to develop. After Graduating from Agricultural College, their eldest son set up a Pig rearing business, using surplus potatoes for feed, the resulting pork led to a Butchery section and the price of grain preparation led to a Feed Mill business. Selling potatoes wholesale at a low margin led to a packing set up to supply Tesco and other retail chains with prepacked, and a washing and preparation section supplies restaurants with ready-to-use vegetables.Anne described how the Jam Kitchen developed from surplus fruit and vegetables, at first selling at the WI market, then in the Farm Shop, now enables 55 types of preserves to be made in house, winning many awards.
A Butchery worker with a penchant for making cakes, was promoted to develop a new section and ultimately a Gift Shop.After a foray into fishmongering floundered (sorry!), sweet success followed with a confectionery counter in its plaice.(oops)
A canny purchase of second hand kitchen appliances and shopfittings enabled them to start up the catering side at low cost before committing to a full range. A recent addition of a screened flagged alfresco dining area and ample parking brings in customers from the A38 for coffees and snacks, who then visit the Farm Shop before going on their way.They employ over 80 people in total which must benefit the local economy.
They were thanked by d/r Roger Mason, [whose eldest daughter had been a schoolfriend of Anne’s], and asked everyone to join him in the applause.Club Business. President Colin thanked all who turned up for the President’s Party at Pickeridge.
Next Meeting is Club Assembly and Handover on 25th June at SCCC. Meal apologies to DAVID JANES until further notice.Breakfast on 4th July – opt in to Rory.
5th July – Golf Day – Organiser Keith Bigwood.
9th July – Visit to Hinkley Point C – special arrangements and registration with Monty.
16th and 23rd July at SCCC.
