Cotley
Farm, set on the hillside overlooking Whimple village, near Exeter,
is home to a magical Christmas wonderland. With a beautiful log
cabin selling a range of festive treats, a Christmas Tree Barn,
reindeer and farm animals, Cotley Farm is particularly appealing to
families.
Owners Mr and Mrs Bowker are pig farmers by tradition, but with
the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001, they decided to
diversify so they were not solely reliant on their pigs for income.
They started growing Christmas trees and gradually over the years
this has expanded to provide a significant extra enterprise on the
farm. The Christmas shop and barn only opens in the four weeks
leading up to Christmas each year, but it has become a very
successful venture for the family: "Of course, it's very seasonal",
says Mrs Bowker, "but our location is not suitable for a year-round
farm shop. We're on a little back road with very little passing
trade. People are prepared to make a special journey to get their
perfect Christmas tree, however, and over the years, we have become
something of a family tradition to many people. They enjoy the
experience of coming here each December and make it a part of their
festive preparations."
The shop sells a wide range of locally produced food - including
jams, pickles, cakes and apple juice - and several 'Taste of the
West' products like Highfield Preserves and Waterhouse Fayre. Mr
and Mrs Bowker also sell their own pork, beef and lamb, Bronze and
White locally reared turkeys, vegetable boxes supplied by Culm
Valley Vegetables, and wreaths. Mrs Bowker's hampers are
particularly popular, and can be made to order as Christmas
gifts.
Out in the yard, an old cow shed is now home to the family's two
reindeer, and pens surrounding the yard house ewes, lambs and
piglets. The Bowkers encourage children to visit and feed see the
animals whilst their parents enjoy some home-made mulled wine and
mince pies; Mrs Bowker says, "We don't charge our customers for
this but we do invite donations to the charity 'Send a Cow', which
helps African families and orphans get themselves out of
poverty."
When they opened the Christmas shop and barn, Mr and Mrs Bowker
turned to Cornish Mutual to fulfil their insurance needs. The
company now provide them with Public Liability cover for their
activities as property owners, farmers and retailers, including
Products Liability for goods sold or supplied. They also have Employers'
Liability affording them cover in respect of injuries and
accidents to employees. A Motor Fleet policy
and covers for buildings and contents completes the
insurances for their businesses. "We requested quotes from several
different insurance companies, and Cornish Mutual turned out to be
very competitive. Nonetheless I have to say that your biggest
selling point is Gary [Burgess - Senior Insurance Inspector who
works in Honiton, Axminster and Exmouth]. It's great to have a
personal contact within the company, and Gary is very down to
earth. Most importantly, though, he understands farming, and that
played a key part in our decision to insure with Cornish Mutual"
says Mrs Bowker.
She continues, "We have had to make claims on our farm policy in
the past, but thanks to Gary, the claims process was simple. He
helped us deal with everything and nothing was too much trouble."
Gary Burgess (pictured above with Mrs Bowker), who has worked for
Cornish Mutual for 23 years, adds, "Lester and Helen Bowker have
created a warm and welcoming feel at Cotley Farm, and are well
supported by the local community. I come here with my own family
each year to get our tree and decorations. Christmas would just not
be complete without a visit to Cotley Farm!"
To find out more about Cotley Farm, please visit http://www.lsddesign.info/development/cotleyfarmchristmasshop/index.html.
