pond dipping at the farm  home grown produce  mowing hay for the winter

Friends of Cronkshaw Fold Farm.
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Cronkshaw Fold Farm, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4AQ.
Tel: 01706 218614.

HOMEPAGE

The Friends of Cronkshaw Fold are a group of invited people who enjoy the countryside of the Rossendale valley. Hill farming is precarious and to sustain the farm traditionally is economically unviable. The idea of the volunteer group is to raise funds by applications for various grants to do projects on the farm which are unable to be funded by its agricultural income. some projects in the past have been making firm pathways so that the mobility impaired can access more than the farm yard. We have access to the pond and into the front hay meadow which would have been impossible otherwise. The friends of the farm all have different skills. We have a magnificent fruit and vegetable garden Willow workshop in the farm yard managed entirely by a volunteer couple. Another 'friend of the farm' collects local tree seeds and we grow them on. Others bake, wash up, split logs, act as stewards on open days or do art and craft activities with families on farm open days.

If you have a skill that you think would be useful and have some time please contact us at the farm. Being a 'friend' involves a slightly formal meeting annually and joining us for a harvest supper during October. There is no subscription.

We want to lead from the front in respect of;

  1. educational visits, making children aware of farming styles and that the preferred style is that of sustainability. Children must be able, through their visit, to realise the importance of their relationship with the land.
  2. energy conservation, using renewables in a practical way that is possible for other land managers/farmers to follow.
  3. sustainable farming with a sensible approach to herbicides, pesticides and preventative medicines in livestock feeds
  4. accessible for all visitors to see the example set and to enjoy and participate.