Meet the locals

Gordon Bull
Donnington Trout Farm

“We grow all our own eggs and small fish here which means we're in control of the whole process. From egg to table is a fourteen month process - that means dinner plate' size. We've also got a one and a half acre lake for fly fishing.”

Nigel Higgs
Sydney Free Saddlers Ltd

“We make new saddles and also repair old ones. The oldest saddle I’ve worked on was from the 1890’s - they hand stitched everything then. I still hand stitch the seams. Hand stitching lasts longer than anything done by machine.”

Jeremy Benson
Benson’s Apple Juice

“I believe in local produce and low food miles. We are basically National Trust tenant farmers. All our fruit is picked by hand. Cox is sweet and smooth, Bramley is more tart. Our apple and rhubarb is a best seller. In winter it’s the apple and cinnamon with nutmeg and cloves.”

Henry Baggot
Wynchwood Books

“We sell a lot of field sport books, architecture and antiques, Victorian children’s and adventure books. Personally I’m keen on Ian Flemming first editions - all the James Bond books.”

Richard Keene
The Cotswold Brewing Company

“People are very keen to come and have a look around. We do tours and have a shop but we mainly supply to local pubs in the area. We produce wheat beer in the spring and a darker ale in the winter. After work the local farmers come and help themselves - it’s great to chat over drinks in the evenings.”

Hilary Chester-Master
The Organic Farm Shop, Abbey Home Farm, Cirencester

“I'm really passionate about selling our own produce - even our wool is organic and comes from our own sheep. Everything here is environmentally friendly, from the soya bean paint on our walls to the wood chip burning boiler.”