Cotley’s got Christmas covered
Cotley Farm, East Devon’s destination for farm-grown Christmas Trees, homemade wreaths, locally sourced turkeys and all the trimmings of Christmas, have launched a “Click and Collect” service for busy people in the run up to Christmas.
Known for their magical Christmas experience at Cotley Farm itself, where Lester and Helen Bowker have 25 acres of quality trees, the couple have expanded their service for 2015.
“Click and Collect” makes choosing a tree quicker and allows people to go to their website (www.cotleychristmas.co.uk) and choose a type, height, time and place for collection, before paying online. Collection is then available from their farm premises in Whimple, or either of their Exeter sites in Marsh Barton and Pinhoe. You can not only order your wreath and turkey the same way, but if your tree isn’t quite right, you can exchange it then and there!
Owner Helen Bowker says, “Our farm sales always do well, especially with families in the run up to Christmas, but we branched out into Exeter last year to make the opportunity to purchase a locally grown tree more accessible. This year we felt really conscious of the need to provide great quality, fresh trees to those who need a more organised and efficient way of buying. By offering Click and Collect, Christmas can be sorted in just a few minutes, but we still allow people to change their minds because we know part of the magic of Christmas is choosing just the right tree!”
Cotley Farm began growing trees shortly after the foot and mouth crisis of 2001, as their pig farming business was badly affected. Taking between 6-8 years to grow a tree from scratch, Helen and Lester began slowly building the business and focussed on creating a family day out experience at their farm. In 2008, they bought their first two reindeer to add to the festive atmosphere, along with local produce, hampers, wreaths, turkeys, a nativity area and mulled wine on weekends. Now they have six reindeer for visitors to see.
Helen Bowker says, “Many of our customers return to Cotley year after year knowing that their tree is ethical, local and fresh. For each tree we sell, another is planted in its place meaning that actually, fresh trees are more environmentally friendly than artificial ones. Plus, you can’t beat the magical smell of Christmas that only comes from bringing a real tree into the house!”
Cotley also work closely with the local community and a number of charities, whilst also offering a voucher scheme to local schools. This allows the schools to fundraise as Cotley will donate a pound of every tree purchased with a voucher to that pupil’s school. This year Cotley are also supporting Discover Hannah’s by donating trees for their decorating competition. Helen says, “Seale Hayne has a soft spot in our hearts for the great agricultural college it once was. When we looked into how the Dame Hannah Trust were using the site, we were really impressed with how brilliantly it was helping to enrich and empower the lives of people with disabilities once they reach adulthood.”
Cotley Farm will be open from November 28th
Matford Farm will be open between Dec 1st and Dec 21st
Pinbrook Road will be open all weekends in December
For directions, please visit the Cotley Farm website.
