Local farmers Jan
and Christopher Oates are the perfect example of how farm
diversification can benefit not only farm owners, but the community
as a whole. Their farm is now home to a family of Bactrian camels,
which the general public, schools and groups are welcome to visit
throughout the year.
The Oates family have lived at Rosuick Farm for over six
generations. In the past, they sold flowers to supplement their
dairy farm income; today however, the family concentrates on caring
for their herd of Welsh Black Cattle, lambing ewes and, of course,
their camels.
Christopher explains how it is that a small Cornish farm became
home to a family of camels: "The idea to get some camels was quite
random. It occurred to me one day whilst walking back across a
field. I spoke to my son about it and he agreed we should give it a
go. When we first had the camels, we were working in our little
farm shop elsewhere - this meant we didn't get to spend much time
looking after them, so we decided to move our shop over to Rosuick
as well." The farm shop is now part of the 'Camel Centre', which
also includes an organic cafe, giant sand pit and children's play
area.
During the peak season, the Oates' offer 'Camel Photo
Opportunities', allowing visitors to meet the camels and to have
their photograph taken sitting on them. The camels are, of course,
hugely popular - but they're not the only unusual residents at
Rosuick. The farm is also home to a family of Bennett's wallabies,
who each have a joey, and four rheas.
As if looking after all these animals was not enough work for
the family, Jan and Christopher (pictured with Doris the camel)
decided to diversify a little further - by renting out the farm's
cottages as holiday homes, and by offering the Camel Centre and two
small barns as wedding venues. "We are now in our third year of
running weddings at Rosuick Farm," says Jan, "We started doing it
because our daughter wanted to get married at home on the farm, and
the idea grew from there. We're letting that side of the business
grow slowly but it's proving very popular and we're getting busier
with weddings each year."
Cornish Mutual provide Jan and Christopher with a range of
insurances to protect their farming business and Camel Centre. They
have agricultural fleet
insurance for their vehicles, cover for their property and farm
buildings, and liability cover for the activities offered on the
farm - including camel walking, riding and grooming, walks around
the farm and the children's play area. "I've been a Cornish Mutual
Member all my life," says Christopher, "In fact I believe my family
has always insured with the company. We've always experienced good
customer service, and when we have had to claim, Cornish Mutual has
always come up with the goods. How quickly and satisfactorily a
claim is dealt with is very important to us, that's the true 'test'
of how the company works. Cornish Mutual is easily contactable and
that is very important when something goes wrong and you need to
speak to someone straight away. We would recommend the company to
anybody. Insurance is one of our biggest costs - we wouldn't remain
loyal to Cornish Mutual if we weren't 100% happy with the service
they provide."
Further information about the Camel Centre, holiday cottages and
weddings at Rosuick can be found at www.cornishcamels.com.
