News

We have had heard from Peter White, Dorset County Council, that the planning application for a Recycling Plant at the Poultry Farm at Gold Hill  has been withdrawn. Planning officers from Nordon and Dorset County Council will advise the applicant about sites that would be more appropriate.

The Parish Council thanks all the people who attended the Parish Council meeting and supported us when the matter was discussed on the 3rd December. There was a lively debate and some very pertinent and strong views expressed; all of which, I believe, helped to persuade the Planning Officer who attended, that this was not a good idea.

Angie Schwier. Head of the Planning Committee, Child Okeford Parish Council. 14/12/2007

The Green House shop at Child Okeford has recently been awarded Silver in Taste of The West's Local Retail Outlet Award 2007, a category originally conceived to reward retailers in the South West dedicated to promoting local food and drink. The Green House sources the bulk of its fresh produce from Sara and Andrew Cross at Gold Hill Organic Farm, where the shop is based, meaning zero food miles. Going slightly further afield, say within a twenty five mile radius, The Green House is able to offer its customers a huge variety of local food and drink and actively strives to promote the benefits of 'keeping it in the community.' Customers at the shop are kept up to date on local food news through the shop's weekly newsletter which often features a Producer Profile, a section of the newsletter that looks at local growers, producers and farmers and the philosophy behind their products. Maria Timperley who owns The Green House said of the award:

"It validates the hard work that the team put in every day, sourcing local, promoting local and sharing that message with our customers and of course we will now be proudly displaying the gong in all our shop literature."

Maria went on to say that whilst the award recognised the hard work being done at the shop she still felt that the incredible quality of food being produced in the South West was not always universally acknowledged.

"We will continue to provide choice for our shoppers but our message remains that buying locally is best."

More about the Green House and Festive Dorset at Gold Hill Organic Farm December 8th 2007

Website: www.thegreenhouse.biz