A lot has happened over the last 6 months, but it’s staggering to think that our summer season began all that time ago in April, with our first Tipi Pop Up restaurant. It could have been easy to let the opportunity pass, but my ‘ol mucker Luke Hasell was insistent that we round the summer off the way we started it by getting the tipis out one last time – and I’m glad he persuaded me!
True to form, the Tipi Events team dug out the canvas and timber for one last summer bash, and on Sunday 18th September, we put on our the second “Secret Sunday Lunch” of 2011. Once again, the impressive Tipi structure was erected to overlook the ever beautiful Chew Valley Lake, and despite a menacing forecast, we had another fantastic turnout of intrepid diners stop by for the afternoon.
Set this time in the grounds of ‘The Community Farm’ on Denny Lane, Chew Magna, the Pop Up Restaurant served as a great way to showcase the amazing progress this valuable community project has made.
A testament to the unity of the Chew Valley and the neighbouring cities of Bath and Bristol, The Community Farm has come a long way since its inception, and now under the direction of an appointed board, the community run farm now grows veg across 24 acres of Chew farmland, employs 15 local people and enlists the help of an army of volunteers.
The first venture of its kind in the UK, the farm seeks to give people an opportunity to get involved in the growing and harvesting of a variety of organic produce. In an age where the supermarket is king, The Community Farm’s success is rooted in the fact that it supplies fresh veg boxes to over 350 homes and businesses, including my own pub, The Pony and Trap.
To celebrate and promote this inspiring project, my team at The Pony and Trap joint forces with ‘the Story’ organic meat Co once more to champion the great work of The Community Farm. As I said in a speech to the Chew Magna Society just weeks prior, it is important that the local community continues to support this unique operation – we really are so very lucky to benefit from such an amazing source of sustainable, local produce.
Very much at the heart of The Pony and Trap’s ethos, local, fresh and sustainable have become my buzz words – but they are the crux upon which we build everything. The latest PopUp was again, a very special event for it allowed us to get simple, locally produced food to people in a setting like no other. With my team serving over 350 roast dinners against the backdrop of the lake, with the music playing and the cider flowing, I felt privileged to be a West-country boy, and hope that all in attendance felt the same.
Here is to The Community Farm, and the Pop Up Tipis. Look out for events with both over the winter months. There are a few exciting plans in the pipeline!
Josh Eggleton: Pony Life 