Tell us a bit about Godminster and how it started:
Having worked on farms since the age of 14, I always knew I wanted to be a farmer, even though farming has never run in our family. Having graduated in farming college in June 1993 and subsequently married in July, my wife and I both fell in love with Godminster Farm at first sight. We completed on Michaelmas day that year. Having studied the physical landscape in detail throughout my education, I knew that organic farming was the only way to go. By 1999, the milk at Godminster was Soil Association-certified and so a first batch of cheese was produced with this milk.
A year later, I was with my dad and his successful mates and duly produced the cheese for them to try. They were impressed and asked where they could buy it. When I responded that they couldn’t yet, the resounding reply was “Well, get on with it…!” And so my farm manager and I went to our local farmers market in Wincanton and the concept of Godminster Organic Cheddar was born.
What does a typical day at Godminster involve?
There is no typical day as such, which is why it is such an exciting and perennial challenge. If anything, there are seasonal routines in order to progress and develop our business, but it requires meticulous planning in advance.
What makes Godminster different?
The feedback we get is that its look, creaminess and taste is what makes it unique. It also has a very distinct aftertaste which people love. On a more technical level, we take an ecosystem approach to farming, focusing on organic food production, woodland management (agroforestry), increasing biodiversity and maximising soil health. We believe our dedication to our local environment shines through our organic cheese, and that is what makes it so different to other cheeses.
At Peter’s Yard, our ethos is all about taking time for the simple pleasures in life – tell us, what are your favourite pastimes?
For us, it’s all about really feeling and experiencing the environment around us. We love twilight, when you can experience the subtle change from day to night. We take time to appreciate the magnificence of trees that surround us, the birds that live in them and the flowers that bloom around them. We also take time to respect and enjoy the ponds on our farmland, and the wildlife and creatures they attract.
Less of a simple pleasure is our obsession with studying the herbal treatment of cattle – we are committed to treating them as well as possible, and learning more about this gives us great pleasure.
What do you look for when sourcing products for the Godminster shop in Bruton?
Anything local for a start. We love Great Taste-recognised products as we know that it is shorthand for fantastic, lovingly-made, great quality products. We also love anything original – Bruton has become a real foodie haven and we are lucky enough to have plenty of opportunities to try brand new ingredients, products and recipes. We carry out plenty of tastings of new products that come our way to finally select what makes it onto our shelves. It’s a hard life…!
How do you enjoy Peter’s Yard?
They are a staple in our cupboard at home. We all love the stylish packaging, which makes Peter’s Yard a really appealing choice to enjoy. As with our cheddar cheese, my favourite is the original – sometimes you just can’t beat a classic!
What do you love about Peter’s Yard products?
The unique crunch and texture of the sourdough crackers is fantastic – they never go soft. Their simplicity is also extremely appealing – they are the perfect match to any cheese I can think of.
Finally, what’s planned for this year at Godminster?
The same as every year – new product development, expansion plans, increased efficiencies… Every year brings new challenges but also new opportunities for us at Godminster. I’d love to tell you, but…!
