Kate

Fran our stable groom

Fran has just started to teach in the riding school, she has completed her BHS Stages L1 – L2, ride & road safety and equine-specific first aid. Fran’s main job is to assist with the care of the horses and the general upkeep of the horses and is currently working toward her BHS L3.

Castledyke Farm

Situated in south Lincolnshire, Castledyke farm has been in our family since 1957. Robert Richardson moving here at the age of 21. In the following years more land was purchased and the farm now stands at 400 ha(1000 acres) on the Castledyke Farm. This is made up of blocks eg. Rectory, Brothertons and Thornton. Combinable crops are the only ones grown. The markets for this produce are the east coast ports. Most of the land is not suitable for intensive cropping, but I do know that in the early days they used to hand pick 360 acres of potatoes! Conservation has played a big part, and 25 years ago woods were planted. Hedges have been allowed to naturally regenerate, and wildbird covers sown. Now the farm has an abundance of wildlife. “when I started on the farm we only had a quarter acre wood, now we have over 20 acres….”David. The land has been under a contract farming agreement for some years, but we have decided to take it all back in hand, as family members are now returning. So it is a true family farm, with both of David and Peter’s sons employed. In 2006 a diversification plan was devised and the Equestrian Centre was born. Utilising the yards traditional buildings, it was decided to build the stables with a traditional feel. Controlling all the land around, the yard is set on 380 acres ring fenced, we can develop the riding as we wish. Utilising our woodland to enhance the cross country and grass margins to allow extensive, safe private hacking.