Plans to create a new building for producing jam, honey and cakes at Birchfield Farm at Summerbridge have been approved by North Yorkshire Council.
The proposed single storey facility will complement the farm’s existing tea room and ice cream parlour.
Birchfield Farm is a family run working farm between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge with a range of children’s attractions, including sheep, pigs, goats, and donkeys. It also offers lamb feeding, a maze and ‘pick your own’ events including strawberries and a pumpkin festival.
Plans were submitted on behalf of the applicant by Skipton based rural property planning and development specialists David Hill.
Plans submitted to the council said:
“Over the past few years, the applicant has expanded the farming enterprise to meet demand, by increasing stock numbers and erecting new buildings, as well as improving the onsite ice cream parlour and tearoom.
“The proposal will create an area for producing jam, honey and baked goods as part of the existing farm diversification. This will support the existing business as well as helping the rural economy through the sale of the produce made on the farm.
“Jam will be made from the fruit grown on the farm and honey made from the bees kept on the farm.”
The building, which will measure 11.4 metres by 6.3 metres, will be situated in a concrete yard next to a farm building.
Case officer Edward Bainbridge’s planning report said:
“When assessing the development against the relevant policies and guidance highlighted above it is considered that the overall landscape and visual impact of the proposal, including its impact on the AONB is acceptable.”
The Stray Ferret has approached Birchfield Farm for comment.
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Hiring in Harrogate now: Why we are proud to work for Bettys
This story is sponsored by the Bettys and Taylors Group.
A number of highly sought-after career opportunities have become available at Harrogate’s most famous employer.
Bettys is looking to fill a number of vacancies in the kitchen at Bettys Harrogate as well as having both front of house and back of house roles available within the four other branches located in York, Ilkley, Harlow Carr and Northallerton
New recruits can expect a competitive salary, pension, a fantastic working environment and excellent training.
One person who has already taken advantage of that offer is Cameron Latimer, who is a catering assistant at Bettys’ flagship branch in Harrogate. The 21-year-old left King James’s School in Knaresborough to join another company in the industry, before moving to Bettys in 2021. He said:
“The training is very thorough. Over the last 18 months I’ve really progressed, both in my job and as a person. I’m more outgoing and feel I can take control in the kitchen and lead others. I’ve been trained on every section and now specialise in preparing the hot food. In September I was promoted to shift leader, and later I aim to become a team leader.”
Colleague Roisin Roddam, 24, has already progressed even further. She started at Bettys straight from school and has worked her way up to become deputy catering manager at the RHS Harlow Carr branch. She said:
“Bettys really look after their staff and there’s loads of opportunities for career progression. There are loads of benefits, and the training is really good too. It’s very practical and hands-on, and you even get one-to-one training, so you’ve always got someone there helping you.”
Roisin Roddam, deputy catering manager at Bettys’ RHS Harlow Carr branch.
Cameron said:
“I’d definitely recommend working at Bettys. The conditions are second to none and the managers are very supportive. The staff are all friendly too – we’re all one team, front and back of house – and if something needs doing, we’ll all pitch in and sort it out.”
Asked what advice she would give to prospective applicants, Roisin said:
“Just apply. It’s an amazing company to work for, and there are lots of opportunities to move upwards or sideways, for example into the bakery or the Taylors factory.
“Everyone gets on really well. I really like all my team, and we do a lot of socialising outside work, so we get to know everyone very well. It’s absolutely brilliant.”
New apprenticeship opportunity in Bettys Café Tearooms
Bettys has this week launched its new apprenticeship programme in their café Tearooms, which is available for current employees and external candidates to apply for now.
There are Catering Assistant/Chef apprenticeships positions in Harrogate, York and Northallerton. There is also a Catering Team Leader apprenticeship available in Harrogate.
Successful candidates will benefit from the opportunity to attend York College one day a week during term time for a year. They will be enlisted to study the Production Chef Level 2 and Senior Production Chef Level 3 apprenticeship programmes.
An iconic Harrogate brand
Bettys was founded in 1919 by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont and is now the most famous name in Yorkshire’s hospitality industry. More than a century later, it is still an independent family firm and continues to win numerous awards, including Food & Travel Magazine’s Specialist Retailer of the Year earlier this year.
Along with Taylors of Harrogate, the company behind the iconic Yorkshire Tea brand, it is part of Bettys & Taylors Group, which employs more than 1,500 people, most of them in Harrogate. This month, Bettys & Taylors won one of the first ever King’s Awards for Enterprise for International Trade.
Find out more:
If you’re interested in applying for a job at any of Bettys’ branches, check the vacancies page on the company website.
Bettys to close early for staff celebration tonight
Bettys will close its tea rooms early today as staff gather to celebrate the end of two difficult years.
The ‘Big Get Together’ will see all 1,600 staff from Bettys & Taylors invited to mark the hard work done by the company’s individuals and teams since 2020.
Today will be the first time everyone has been able to get together for what has been an annual celebration since the start of the covid pandemic.
Organiser Victoria Turner said:
“Every year we hold our internal Honours Awards which recognise the achievements and successes of our people over the 12 months.
“This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Bettys & Taylors coming together as Group, so it’s a special opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate and reconnect after the challenges of the last two years.”
The tea rooms at Harrogate, York, Northallerton and Ilkley will close at 3.30pm today, while Harlow Carr closes at 4pm, to allow staff to join the celebrations.
Read more:
- Bettys applies to create new baby changing room in Harrogate tea rooms
- Bettys and Taylors win Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Tea and cakes overlooking Swinsty reservoir set to resume
The tea room overlooking Swinsty reservoir at Washburn Heritage Centre will re-open on Saturday.
The volunteer-run centre, which is renowned for its home-made cakes, is situated in the surroundings of Fewston church.
Customers will be served in the outdoor seated area.
As well as its tea rooms, the centre hosts events that promote the culture and heritage of the Washburn Valley. However, indoor areas remain closed.
The tea room will be open on Saturday from 11am until 1.30pm and on Sunday from 11am until 4pm.
It will then be open every following Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
The centre is owned by Fewston and Blubberhouses Parochial Church Council.
Sarah Stead, who is responsible for the centre’s PR and marketing, said:
“We look forward to serving our delicious home-made cakes and sandwiches in our beautiful setting at Fewston church.
Read more:
- High hopes for Washburn centre’s anniversary celebrations
- Young farmer given chance to run Washburn Valley farm