Rupert & Elizabeth
Rupert and Elizabeth Nabarro purchased Bere Mill in 1993. A marvellous dilapidated mill house on the River Test which for centuries had been the ancestral home of Portals, suppliers of paper to the Bank of England. As a complement and background to developing a garden they farmed the surrounding water meadows and valley sides with traditional breeds of sheep and cattle. Over the years the farming interest has increased and now comprises 200 acres in hand and a further 300 acres of adjacent property. Their daughter Dinah now farms the land and the meat is sold through our in house butchery. The aim has always been the same- to produce best quality meat, bred and raised at home, selling to the local population and observing the highest environmental standards.
Dinah
Dinah came to farming late in life when she moved to Hampshire, and someone needed to feed the dozen or so cows and fifty ewes they then had. Dinah has learnt from the generosity of local farmers and has been helped a multitude of times by the eyes of local people walking through the maze of footpaths that cross the land at Bere Mill.
The farm is much bigger now - 120 head of cattle, 400 ewes and an on site butchery. The learning curve over the last decade has been steep. Dinah says
"I’m sure my children would say that they would have liked to see more of me, but I am not unhappy about where we are and how we farm. We farm lightly with an emphasis on high welfare, extensive grazing, over wintering outside and maintaining the very valuable local flora and fauna of the chalk water meadows and downs. It is our reward to see glow worms, butterflies, bees, orchids, owls, yellow hammers, and of course being able to eat our own steak and shoulder of lamb at the end of the day".
Leigh
Leigh trained as a butcher 24 years ago at Owton Butchers in Southampton. He lives in Hampshire with his dog Oscar. Leigh says:
"My favourite cut has to be the featherblade steak. It's such a versatile cut of meat which can be barbecued, grilled or even air fried. It makes a great sandwich steak!"
