At Westmorland, we’ve long championed the belief that eating great seasonal British-grown produce can bring a simple pleasure to life.

At the heart of this is a commitment to understanding where the food we sell comes from and how our buying choices affect the world around us.

We partner with farmers and growers who care as much about the food and the land that produces it, as we do.

They share our vision for British agriculture, but they need your support. Britain is less than 60% self-sufficient in vegetable and salad crops, and this is declining. But, there is brightness in the industry, led by some inspiring producers and projects.

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Growing Well

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Growing Well is a pioneering mental health charity based at the Northbound site of Tebay Services, offering a clinically-governed long term mental health recovery service. People who are feeling depressed, anxious or finding everyday life a challenge, can access free and effective support by spending time at Growing Well.

The site is a “real-world” commercial business, with 100% of the crops grown being used in salads, soups, and sandwiches in our Kitchens or sold in our Farmshops. This circular economy provides a valuable income for Growing Well and a purpose for the growers

Volunteers at the site share tasks and set goals for their recovery, and join a community of growers who find solace and satisfaction in nurturing a crop from seed to plate.

A housing officer recommended Growing Well to Alice, who was struggling with mental illness.

“Being open and honest about mental ill health is important in removing the stigma and helping others get the support they need,” explains Alice.

“I love the sense of community and belonging, working alongside other people who I know are having similar struggles really helps. I leave at the end of each day proud of what I have achieved and what we have achieved as a group.”

Want to know more? Visit Growing Well, here.

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Hannah shares an introduction to Chapel Farm, where she and her husband Sion (our Farm Manager) live – its history, its quirks, and the thoughtful work being done to nurture it for the future. From growing food to protecting biodiversity, it’s a glimpse into the heart of a farm shaped by people, place, and purpose.

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New year, new beginnings and new life – The start of the farming year.

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Longer days, blossoming trees, grass growth and warmer temperatures are sure signs that Spring has arrived.

And with that comes one of the busiest periods on our farm – lambing season!

An incredibly busy six weeks has not long come to an end for our farm team, during which time the bulk of the farm’s 500 ewes (female sheep) gave birth, mostly to twin lambs, although some will have a single lamb and a handful will have triplets.

A five-month gestation means discussions around lambing began long before this, with tups or rams (male sheep) joining the ewes in early November for a period of time so they can become pregnant.

Ewes are then pregnancy-scanned in mid-February which identifies which are carrying a single, twin, or triplet lambs. They can then be grouped and fed accordingly, with those carrying more lambs fed that bit more to meet the extra energy requirements that come with growing multiple lambs.

Ewes are brought into fields and paddocks close to home as due date approaches so that a watchful eye can be kept on them as they begin to give birth.

It is an intense time of year, with sheep checked at first light and again several times throughout the day.

Lambs are born outside, with ewes given space to bond with their newly born lambs in the open air – although those which do need it are given a helping hand and occasionally taken into the shed where a closer eye can be kept on them if necessary.

We were blessed with a fantastic Spring this year, with bright sunshine and warm temperatures making for pretty ideal lambing conditions and happy and healthy lambs enjoying the bright sunshine, growing and getting stronger everyday.

It is a joy to see them frolicking in the fields as they grow in confidence to leave mum behind and run with the other lambs having fun.

It is a season that brings challenges and joy every year and as it draws to a close for another year, thoughts on the farm have already turned to Summer work.

Keep up to date with our farm in our next blog, coming soon.

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