One-stop farm shop goes ahead

Mr Andrew Henshaw and his wife, Maria, have decided to press ahead and open to the public, despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The shop is a paradise for lovers of locally produced foods, featuring cuts of beef, lamb and pork as well as home-made sausages and burgers.

The cheese counter includes Swaledale, Wensleydale and Shepherd's Purse cheeses, along with Grandma Singleton's from Lancashire - the Henshaws both come from Lancashire - and Ribblesdale goats cheese.

The shelves include the much-sought-after Raydale Preserves and Rosebud Preserves; Cumberland mustards; Lanchester fruit-flavoured water, Brymor ice cream and organic milk from the Acorn Dairy, Darlington.

Alison's Country Pantry supplies a range of fruit cakes and Mrs Henshaw will provide more confectionery herself.

The shop also sells vegetables and fruit and serve yourself containers feature a summer fruit mix, along with a Californian fruit salad, raspberries and apple slices.

More containers hold peas and broad beans, plus ready chopped mixed vegetables and stir fry.

The purpose-built shop at Mainsgill Farm stands opposite the East Layton turn-off on the A66 Scotch Corner to Penrith road.

The success of a smaller shop on the farm encouraged the Henshaws to draw up bigger plans, which won the approval of local planners and attracted part grant aid from the European objective 5b programme.

The farm has escaped foot-and-mouth itself but has still suffered from the general effects of the crisis.

It was one of the first in the area to close its gate to the public and the cancellation of farmers' markets also hit trade hard.

The Henshaws delayed the opening of the new shop for several weeks but, after taking advice from vets, have decided to go ahead and welcome the public back with open arms.

Mainsgill is a 57-acre, all-grass farm, with cattle and pigs which would normally supply the shop with meat.

However foot-and-mouth movement restrictions have meant the Henshaws have had to get supplies from both sets of parents, who each farm non-intensively in Lancashire.

Those animals are fed and raised in exactly the same way as those at Mainsgill and the Henshaws have been able to give customers their usual guarantees and assurances.

"All our cattle graze outside and are fed naturally with grass and potatoes when available," said Mr Henshaw.

"The pigs are also fed whey from the Swaledale cheese company."

Meat is hung for at least two weeks. "We get people coming on the recommendation of friends and they all comment about the taste and flavour. It is the taste of yesteryear," said Mr Henshaw.

Apart from the shop providing an income for the Henshaws and the other local producers, it has also created jobs for four local people - three in the shop and one on the farm.

"We have tables and chairs for people to enjoy the view across the farm and will serve tea and coffee for those who want to stay a while," said Mrs Henshaw.

Apart from local customers the couple hope to attract custom from people passing by on the A66.

The shop is open seven days a week from 9am until 6.30.

l Mr Henshaw will continue to attend the Saturday market in Richmond with his farm produce stall and will also attend farmers' markets once these are in full swing again.