Blog
Cricket ticket packs in shops!
Added 05-Mar-2010
This week we sent out the first of our free range eggs in special cricket ticket packs. Each and every pack of Blackacre free range eggs contains a special code on the best before label that will allow you to go onto the Somerset Cricket Club website www.somersetcricketclub.co.uk and order adult Twenty20 tickets for just 10!
The picture above shows the top of our special packs so look out for them in stores now! Hopefully I'll see you at the County Ground!
Dan.
Trescothick comes down to Blackacre Farm!
Added 26-Feb-2010
This week Marcus Trescothick came down to Blackacre Farm to help us launch our HALF PRICE CRICKET TICKET GIVEAWAY. What a mouthful! We have teamed up with Somerset County Cricket Club to offer adult Twenty20 tickets for just £10! From March, all you have to do is go to www.somersetcricketclub.co.uk and enter the exclusive promotional code which will be found on the best before label on top of our packs to buy your discounted tickets!
The hens had a great time up in our fields; they'd never had so much attention! We got some great snaps but we couldn't hang around too long as they liked the look of our shoe laces too much!
Dan.
have a heart
Added 19-Feb-2010
For three months during the summer we donated 2p from every sale of our 6 large free range eggs to 'have a heart', and on Thursday I went down to the Heart FM studio to help decide where the money raised should go. The charity works to help build a better future for children living in Westcountry communities and we had to decide which specific projects to support. I met with Belinda from have a heart, and Laura from the Ian and Laura Breakfast Show, and together we picked what we felt are three really worthy projects in the Westcountry.
We can't say exactly where the money will go just yet, as it all needs to be signed off by the charity, but it won't be long until the money is being used to benefit children in local communities. So watch this space, they'll all be announced......just as soon as I am allowed to shout about it! I can't wait to see the funds raised by all those who bought our eggs going to good use.
Dan.
Launching the layers
Added 11-Feb-2010
Tonight I am attending the first ever Westcountry Layers meeting at Padbrook Park Hotel in Devon. As I have mentioned on the blog before I am now representing the South West on the Council for the British Free Range Egg Producers but this meeting is only for producers in the Westcountry. The meeting gives us a chance to talk to other producers about our flocks, farming and methods and to exchange ideas and experiences so that we can all produce delicious eggs.
The 25th February is another important night as we will be attending the launch of the 'Taste of Somerset Awards' at Sharpham Farm. This year we will be sponsoring the 'Best Pub Category' meaning that I will have to go to some of the very best pubs in Somerset and sample their culinary delights...... it's a tough job but someone has to do it!
Dan.
The Iron Lady...
Added 05-Feb-2010
Last week I mentioned how nutritious, delicious and versatile eggs are but if you're not willing to accept my humble opinion what about Margaret Thatcher's?! It has been revealed that for two weeks in the run up to her victory, becoming the first ever female PM, she stuck to a 'winners' diet the main staple of which was 28 eggs per week!
She used to eat one or two for breakfast each morning and then more for lunch and they weren't even Blackacre Eggs; imagine how many she would have got through if she'd have tried ours! People may not agree with all of her political views but she obviously understood the importance of eggs to a healthy diet, and if it's good enough for a Prime Minister, its good enough for me!
Dan.
Egg curry...
Added 29-Jan-2010
Now I know I'm biased but eggs have to be one of the most precious ingredients on the planet - they're nutritious, delicious and versatile! On the Blackacre website we have our own recipe suggestions here. We have Penne Carbonara, Blueberry Pancakes, my very own Farm House Pizza and my Dad Tim's Devil Eggs, but having a little look around there are so many amazing dishes you can make with eggs (Blackacre of course!) the mind boggles, and the passion people have for the subject is incredible.
Here is one example of a very exotic recipe that I might try tonight! Authentic egg curry! It might sound a bit bizarre but if you actually watch the clip by the end I challenge you to not be at the very least, intrigued! For something a little more traditional though you have to look to our very own Delia.
Click here to learn one of the most ancient and intricate of egg recipes - boiled! In less than 900 words! Delia explains how to boil the perfect egg. As delicious as the egg curry looks nothing compares to a couple of eggs boiled to perfection with a healthy round of freshly buttered soilders - you can't beat them .......well then they would be scrambled!
Dan.
Filming on the farm
Added 22-Jan-2010
This week Richard Ricket came down to the farm to finish off filming for his DVD which is all about how food makes its way from the farm to the kitchen table. The film will be presented by Justin Fletcher who is also the voice of Mr Tumble (in the picture above!)
Richard started filming at Silverthorne Farm where we source some of our free range eggs, and then this week, he focused on how Blackacre eggs are packed, loaded and distributed all throughout the Westcountry. The film will be available from next Spring throughout schools, Early Learning Centres and Richard's website.
Dan.
The snow must go on......
Added 13-Jan-2010
We've had yet more snow up at Blackacre Farm so I thought I would take my new dog Odie up to find his way around the farm whilst it is looking so pristine! I also introduced him to one of our free range hens, who braved the cold briefly before I returned her to the warm shed!
This week during the artic conditions we've been absolutely rushed off our feet. I think that when people have been faced with the prospect of getting snowed in they stock up on the essentials, and what could be more essential than freshly laid free range eggs - which you can have for breakfast, lunch or tea!
Dan.
The snowmobile
Added 08-Jan-2010
As I mentioned in the previous posts our free range hens don't take a day off even for Christmas let alone for snow days! So this past week has been a real test of character to make sure the eggs continue to be collected and delivered throughout the South West. Some of our team here at Blackacre live in some wonderfully idyllic locations in Somerset, but these beautiful country lanes tend not to get gritted .......ever! Meaning this week I've been carrying out my new role as chauffer picking up any of my stranded team in the 4x4!
I was able to get out in even the worst conditions to pick up any of my team that couldn't risk it on the icy roads, meaning that we managed to keep going. We did fall a little behind with deliveries in some of the worst affected areas in the South West, but I'm glad to say with a lot of hard work from our drivers we are all up to date. I think that's enough snow for now though!
Dan.
Happy New Year!
Added 31-Dec-2009
We really enjoyed Christmas here at Blackacre, it was a big family affair with all the trimmings but as we are farmers our extended family includes 4000 hens! Our hens are out roaming the fields 365 days of the year - unless it's too cold of course in which case they stay inside! Unfortunately they don't fully understand the concept of shutting for Christmas so our hard working team have been here on the farm making sure that people can continue to get the freshest free range Blackacre Farm Eggs.
This year I actually had Christmas day off which was lovely, the only downside being that I'll be in at 5am on New Years Day!
Wishing you all a happy and 'eggtastic' New Year!
Dan.
Merry Christmas from Blackacre
Added 18-Dec-2009
2009 has been a good year for Blackacre and we would just like to thank everyone that has supported us by buying our Westcountry free range eggs. There's been lots of exciting goings on at the farm including filming for a children's television series, the arrival of 4000 new hens, and my sister Vicky heading off to Machu Pichu to raise money for charity.
To cap it off tonight we have our Christmas do. It's always a great occasion with the whole Wood family, all our free range egg producers, and everyone that works with us here on Blackacre Farm. This year we are holding our very own X- Factor! We have a karaoke machine booked and my dad Tim is all ready to do his very best Simon Cowell impression. Unfortunately it means that I'll have to be Louis Walsh!
Merry Christmas.
Dan.
Our VIPs meeting (Very Important Producers!)
Added 10-Dec-2009
Today we met with our other free range egg producers at The Fox and Hounds in Charlton Adam. The meeting provides a great opportunity for us to let our producers know what's going on at Blackacre Farm, and more importantly to find out what's going on at their farms!
We started with the 'science' bit which came from our vet David explaining all the new ways to ensure that our hens stay healthy and happy. We then talked about the new system whereby each of our producers will be able to print their codes straight onto their own eggs. The codes are very important to us at Blackacre as they makes sure customers can trace each egg to the exact Westcountry farm on which it was laid through our website. We finished off with a nice ploughman's - lovely!
Dan.
4000 free range hens arrive!
Added 04-Dec-2009
On Monday we welcomed our new free range hens to Blackacre Farm. There is nothing better on a cold frosty morning than waking up to a full English breakfast complete with free range Blackacre eggs so we are making sure we have enough to keep up with demand.
On Thursday I took some of our producers up to the British Free Range Egg Producers' AGM which was very interesting - for those in farming anyway! I also found out that I will now be the South West representative on the Council for the British Free Range Egg Producers which I am delighted about. This is fantastic news as it means finally my voice on farming will be heard unlike hear on Blackacre Farm where the hens pretty much do what they want! As long as they're producing lovely free range eggs though I can't complain!
Dan.