There are some places that you just feel ‘at home’ in and, for me and His Nibs, The Bull Shed at Handley Farm in Shottle is one of them. Despite having the moniker ‘The Grumpy Farmer’, Tony is actually anything but – at least with us! He doesn’t tolerate fools gladly, though, and has a degree in straight -talking but, most importantly of all, he happens to be a dab-hand in the kitchen.
Years ago, we took Mummy and Daddy Bird to their [and our] first pie night and it was certainly an adventure going down the narrow lanes to reach the farm. The biggest challenge, though, was the typically rickety farm track that takes you to the farmhouse and yard itself; make sure your cars suspension is good is all I’ll say! Then Covid came along and everything ground to a halt, and when ‘normality’ resumed, Pie Night was longer on the table, so to speak: Steak and Pizza Night was, but not Pie Night.
Anyhow, fast forward again and Tony and his team had set up what they describe as ‘Goat and Garden Therapy’ for children and adults with special needs, whether they be developmental, emotional or whatever. Basically, if you need help and just ‘gel’ with nature, you’re welcome at Handley Farm. You can also go along and do [book in advance] Goat Walks as well, in more clement seasons; I’m not sure of prices for these but contact the team and they’ll tell you. Obviously, enterprises like this cost money and, however many grants you are successful in applying for, funds are always needed…which is where the Pie Night came back to life!
At first, the Pie Nights were a bit higgledy-piggledy date-wise, but now they are less ad-hoc and will be running monthly – yay!! In common with the other ‘nights’, there are two sittings: 5/5.30pm and 7pm – just check for times when you book, to be sure. Unlike other, previous ones, this particular Pie Night was a two-course event…not like The Man and I were going to say no to pudding – count us right in!
There were various pies to choose from: Steak and Kidney, Steak, Chicken Pot Pie and a Vegetarian one (which I didn’t really take note of the description, cos I’d heard ‘Steak and Kidney’). To go with the pies were Chips, Mash, Mac-n-Cheese, Mixed Veg, Mushy peas and, of course, Tony’s [should be] world-famous meaty Gravy. The Man Bird was straight in for the Steak Pie and, under the beautifully golden pastry were huge chunks of super-tender, flavoursome Beef. Tony said that he could have a second Pie if he wanted; er, of course he wanted! His Nibs chose the Pot Pie and, wowsers, was this a bloody tasty morsel; packed full of Chicken breast meat, along with all sorts of veggies…and the fab pastry. I went for the Chicken Pot Pie and the Steak and Kidney one, falling instantly in love with the suet pastry of this one – my Nana used to make Suet Steak and Kidney pie, and it brought back happy memories. One thing that makes a stupendous Mac-n-Cheese is the gooey Cheese, and ribbons galore were stringing down from the spoon as Tony larruped a huge pile on to my plate. The flavour was as marvellous as the look of it, I’m pleased to say.
We chowed steadily through our pyramid-esque plates, and a short while later were tucking into our puds: Sticky Toffee for Him, Jam Sponge for me – both with lots of creamy custard. It might not be fancy-pants food, but it’s tasty, honest grub that hits all the right spots on your palate…and, of course, you’re supporting a fab local endeavour. Whenever we visit, we have to pick up some Grumpy Farmer Honey: His Nibs and The Beau love it! If it’s available, I try to grab some Goats Cheese, too.
I love Goats; I think they’re just blooming wonderful animals. I actually used to have 3 of my own when I was a Chick: Lucy, Kim and Suzi; all lovely ladies with oodles of character. It’s my dream to have them again…if I can persuade Sue to sell me her babies! Until then, I will just have to get my goat fix at Handley Farm whenever I visit.
To find out more about the Goat and Garden therapy and the dates for the fund-raising pie Nights, visit the web site at handleyfarm.org.uk. Oh, and I should mention that there is [hopefully this month, April 2025] a Men’s Shed at Handley Farm; a space where chaps of all ages can work with tools, learn from each other and, most importantly, support each other socially and emotionally in a safe space. Get talking, blokes, you might just save a life!
