Profiles

Hillside Farm at Heaton-with-Oxcliffe near Morecambe had been in Phil's family for three generations and was the perfect location for rearing rare breed pigs.

In July, the first ten small pigs arrived and progress on a very steep learning curve was initiated. Now, some 18 months later, after many trials and tribulations, Foragers are the proud owners of nearly 350 free range British Saddleback pigs.

We asked Chris to tell us all about it...

How do you, Phil and Deanne all know each other?

Phil and I have been best friends since our schooldays in Heysham, we met Deanne (my partner) at Reading festival in 1989, sensibly she had the good taste to pick me.

What made you pack up and leave the south?

Deanne and I lived in Canterbury where I worked in electronics and Phil lived in Bath and worked as the director of an IT company in London. The decision to make a change of career was down to either an urge for a better lifestyle away from the stresses of high pressure careers - or a joint midlife crisis. We can't quite decide which.

Tell us about the farm...

Hillside farm has been in Phil's family since the 1930's but has not been worked for the last 18 years since his father and uncle retired. It has needed quite a bit of renovation but apart from fencing and water the pigs have really not required much at all.

Did you have any previous experience?

Phil had been a dairy farmer until 18 years ago but we had no experience of pig keeping. As very few people are keeping pigs free range anymore it was quite difficult to get much advice so we decided to learn as we went along and do things our own way.

Do you get attached to the pigs?

The first pigs we sent for slaughter were the most difficult but now we are satisfied that we have given them the best life we possibly could have so things are easier.

Do you have plans for any other animals?

We will farm rare breed cattle and sheep when we eventually find the time and free range chickens are definitely on the cards.

The pigs are free to graze and forage

What's the move been like for the children?

Phil is separated but his children come up every two weeks and love life on the farm. Our girls are now 3, 5 and 6 so they have not had much of a change but they also love being on the farm and helping out with the pigs.

Best aspect of your life now?

Doing a job to the absolute best of our abilities and seeing the rewards not in financial terms but in being proud of what we are doing and producing.

And the worst?

Rain.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years time?

Here doing the same but better, rearing happy pigs and producing Britain's finest pork

Would you recommend leaving the rat race?

Yes!

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