Surlingham

Greetings all. Has been a bit of a crazy week for us all here at Yare Valley. First we had a wonderful article in the Times as one of the 35 best farm shops in the UK and then the EDP picked up the article and ran it in their paper. Now we know this is subjective and we know there are many deserving farm shops out there that shout about and promote wonderful local and artisanal produce that this county and indeed UK has to offer, but we were thrilled non the less for the mention and for the exposure.

We can not thank our regulars enough for the continued support and have also met a lot of new faces this last week who popped by to see us after reading the articles. We are not a high frills and whistles shop or farm with great big attractions and slides, rather take joy in being in what we think is one of the most beautiful settings around. To sit and enjoy a French/ Portuguese patisserie on a working farm in the heart of Norfolk is quite a unique experience and we take pride in all the wonderful producers that we have met over the years that we stock in our iddy shop. We know the Patisserie were inundated and taken by surprise with the number of people popping by on Sunday with both the article and beautiful weather combined making it a super place to pop by and they thank you for your patience.

In other news, many have been asking when our next batch of rare breed Belted Galloway beef will be coming in. Well, wait no further. This Friday the 1st November we have some coming in fresh so be sure not to miss out! We will hopefully then be getting in one more batch before Christmas.

We are busy harvesting our farm grown spuds and have just collected some new spud bags so we aim to have these popular 12.5kg unwashed bags of spuds in the shop for you as of next week.

Alec will not be at the farm shop tomorrow 31st Thursday October with the fish van, but will be back as usual the following Thursday 7th November from 1:30pm until 2:30pm.

Finally some of you may have noticed we have put some signs up at the top of the drive and at The Covey entrance. We have noticed a few people coming through the farm very early in the morning around 6am and very late in the evening. With thefts on the rise, farm machinery moving and being around at all hours, darker nights and poor visibility we simply as that people do not simply use the farm as a cut-through to reduce such risk and traffic and also to not use the farm between the hours of 9pm and 8am as our services are closed then anyways. We appreciate your understanding on this. We had the same issue during lock down with lots of cyclists and runners with their headphones in running though and disturbing customers patiently waiting to use the shop and patisserie and with little spatial awareness.

Either way, wherever you are and whatever you are doing may we thank you for being fab as always and send big waves your way.

Yare Valley x

Excerpt from EDP website, 29th October 2024

A Norfolk Broads farm shop has scooped a spot on a national list for supplying foodies with some of the best produce in the UK.

The Times has been curating a guide of stores not to be missed for avid chefs with the Yare Valley Farm Shop in Surlingham being named in the country’s top 35.

Since settling beside the Broads in the early 1900s the Mack Family have been farming the land and reaping its rewards.

Known for its award-winning cold-pressed and infused rapeseed oils, the family first used the liquid to fuel their vehicles but realised it could be processed more finely and made into the product it is today.

Now the oils and some of the farm’s produce are sold alongside other local goodies including crumpets, chocolates and charcuterie at their farm shop in The Covey.

The shop is open every day from 8am until 9pm and is operated on a self-service honesty system.

Next door, Portuguese café Teles Patisserie, run by Joaquim Teles who serves some of the best pastel de nata this side of The Channel, was also given a mention.

This year’s Remembrance Sunday service will be held at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 10th November at 10:50am

They shall grow not old, as we that are left, grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. 

Please use CONTACT US or phone 07748186511 in the first instance

The boys will have their freshly picked pumpkins for sale on the stand (on The Green, Surlingham) today (19th) and tomorrow (20th) from 9am to 5pm. 

They would love to see some of you.

Have a great day.

Information received from Tom Stiff

It’s still not too late to try out this new local singing group – all welcome