What's New at RC Baker Ltd
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Many of you may be curious about the recent developments at RC Baker Ltd since our decision in November 2021 to retire from large-scale agricultural contracting. It has been a period filled with activity, some challenges of course but also some exciting times as we have made the transition away from our large-scale agricultural operations.
We are excited to share our journey with you and extend an invitation for you to visit us and see the progress we've made. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 13th 2024, and join us between 11am and 3pm to see one of our primary farm diversification focuses at RC Baker Ltd, where we have established a campsite at Spring Hill Farm, providing a variety of accommodation options. From a traditional camping field for those seeking a back-to-basics experience to luxurious bell tents and five-star shepherd’s hut stays. We offer a range of choices to suit every preference and give people the opportunity to enjoy a break in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside.
To hear more about our other activities and wider individual pursuits, spanning from horse riding to firefighting read on!
Since our big decision each member of the Baker family has been pursuing different things so here’s a little overview of what we’ve been up to!
- Charlie is enjoying a much deserved slower pace of life, having now retired, but he certainly hasn’t been short of ideas to keep busy. As well as continuing to help and be on hand to guide the family with new ventures at RC Baker Ltd and Spring Hill Farm, Charlie has been very busy riding! His horse, Morse, who was of course bred by his wife Mary Baker being one of the Springdown Connemara ponies, has been his sidekick in many horse riding adventures. Many of our contracting customers will have had a call from Charlie to ask if he can park up at their farm for him to go for a hack but he’s not just stayed local! He’s had some fantastic trips, travelling across the country. Riding on Exmoor being a favourite.
- Mary has continued to breed her wonderful Connemara ponies and welcomed two gorgeous foals from a couple of her mares last year. She has two more foals on the way this spring / summer. Our new shepherd’s huts have been named after Mary's beloved Connemara ponies - Rosie and Percy. Read more about Mary's Connemaras here. Like Charles, Mary has continued to be on hand to help and guide the family and has been involved in the development of the camping and glamping options now at Spring Hill Farm.
- Chris has been kept very busy continuing to grow and develop the other Baker family business, RA Marine Ltd. Previously Chris headed up our work with the RSPB when we were operating the rotary ditcher and he has worked with the RSPB many times since but in a totally different capacity as he’s been helping with bird watching platforms, walkways and bridges! There has been cross over with other past RC Baker contacts too, where there has been the need for a jetty or pontoon! A lovely story of a local farm's jetty project can be read on the RA Marine website here.
- Stephen has been pursuing a life long dream of becoming a firefighter and is now an on call firefighter at Deddington Fire Station. He is looking to go whole time with the fire service in due course and whilst going through the process he is also now quickly becoming the local community handyman! From lawn mowing and hedge trimming to plumbing and decorating jobs Stephen hasn't had many moments to stand still! Whilst training with the fire service he’s certainly not been short of a job or two at the farm too where he has built our new Shepherd’s huts and has also continued with operating machinery - we couldn’t let him just stop tractor driving after all these years! So, Stephen has been carrying out the agricultural contracting operations that we continue to offer, albeit a much more limited range of services. In amongst all of this, he has also been helping Chris with RA Marine jetty /pontoon builds and installations.
- Jennie has continued to head up the famous Christmas Tractor Run in aid of Katharine House Hospice and has also continued to help Chris keep the office in order for RA Marine Ltd. But her primary focus at RC Baker Ltd has been farm diversification and part of this, has been heading up the establishment of a campsite at Spring Hill Farm. Providing a variety of accommodation options. From a traditional camping field, for those seeking a back-to-basics experience, to five-star Shepherd's Hut stays and camping in luxurious bell tents. The bell tents are in conjunction with Charles and Mary’s eldest daughter, and Chris, Stephen and Jennie’s sister, Liz who relocated with her family back to the UK in 2020, after living in South Africa for over 20 years. Liz now runs a bell tent business, Cotswold Bells, here in Oxfordshire and Norfolk Bells in Norfolk. Liz has teamed up with Spring Hill Farm to offer glamping in bell tents.
We've been delighted to welcome well over 300 guests to the campsite so far, ranging from couples, families, walkers and local schools. It's been wonderful welcoming a whole range of people to enable them to enjoy the lovely surroundings at Spring Hill farm.
Another big development at the farm was the completion of a planting project in autumn 2023, marking the establishment of our third plantation, named 'Coronation Copse,' at Spring Hill Farm. These areas offer remarkable environmental benefits, notably enhancing biodiversity. Following the successful establishment of 'Connie Copse' and 'Barley Bushes' in 2017, we've witnessed their positive impact, providing habitats for various creatures, from small birds and mammals to diverse insect populations. The addition of 'Coronation Copse' marks an exciting progression in our conservation efforts.
We will be holding an open day on Saturday 13th April to allow everyone the opportunity to come and see our shepherd's huts and camping options that we now have at the farm. We hope to see you there! Find out all the details here.