The world has changed. People who never thought they’d see the day, are growing their own vegetables and talking about getting some chickens.
It seemed a good time to share. We are the Bridgen family – christian tenant farmers on a tiny slice of the beautiful Wiltshire Downs, on the edge of Salisbury Plain. Since we moved down here ten years ago – help, it’s twelve years now! – we have battled with our own, self inflicted recession, and now, what do you know, there’s a real one to deal with. Maybe we can help?
We are: Neil – tenant farmer, almost full time shepherd to another farmer, bee keeper, goat lover, father, leader, and deacon of our small baptist chapel. Jackie, until recently, homeschooling mother of two, now baking, sewing, make do and mending, goat keeping, chicken rearing, potentially pig and poultry keeping, pony servant. Harrie and Sasha, our polished cornerstones, until recently homeschooled, now attending a tiny, human scale, independent christian school, and involved in animal husbandry and crop growing in their spare time.
The cast includes : Fly, working dog – slightly batty collie of a certain age, Morse – beagador pup recently appeared on the doorstep, as yet something of an unknown quantity. Cobbett (after William) cat with attitude. Cormac, Harrie’s Irish Connemara, Artie, Sasha’s Welsh pony, Buttons, on loan to Diddy, Archie, mummy’s armchair ride. Quantities of poultry and sheep. The goats : Scallywag, the matriarch, Calico, the troublemaker, Paisley and Poplin, the twins, Linen and Lace, the babies.
Here where God has put us, for better or worse, we thrive, in a time of change. Stewardship, duty, hard work and sobriety are our themes, yet we have a lot of fun. Frugality and resourcefulness are our watchwords, yet we are richly blessed.
Welcome to our fireside, there’s tea in the brown pot, and we’re happy to answer your questions, and share our stories.
