A FARM in Malvern is celebrating milking some of the happiest cows in the country for 100 years.
The Harcombe family, based at Broadacres Farm in Hanley Castle, supplies two million litres of milk a year to Muller.
Thomas Escott Harcombe first ran the farm but now the family-owned business is run by Francis and Diana Harcombe and their daughter Angela Turney.
Angela, the fourth generation of her family at the helm, said: "Looking after cattle is in our blood. It’s a labour of love.
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"Our cows graze grass for as long as possible during the year and only come inside when the weather turns in the winter - then they are housed in large open plan sheds.
“We run a self-sufficient low carbon system which takes dedication and we are hugely grateful to our team including long-serving Martin Thomas who has been milking the dairy herd for 40 years this summer.”
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To mark the 100 years milestone, the family had a surprise visit from Whitchurch Insurance which has handled their insurance for many years providing cover for machinery, buildings and livestock.
Branch manager Laura Jarman and commercial accounts executive Debbie-Lee Towsey enjoyed a taste of life down on the farm, seeing the milking parlour in action.
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Laura said: “Based in Shropshire, we provide cover for many rural businesses and couldn’t miss the opportunity to congratulate the Harcombe family in person.
“Every year our farming clients face challenges, no more so than this year when drought and rising production costs have taken their toll.
“It was wonderful to see how Broadacres runs like a well-oiled machine and overcomes issues thanks to know-how passed down the generations.
“The animals are given the most wonderful life and it can be tasted in the quality of the product. We were delighted to raise a glass, even if it was milk!”
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