I love the first picture, our old tractor looking through the old barn and out to the future. It felt quite good taking it, particularly after I’d just managed to work out how to get the 1960’s bucket technology to work (Derek always did it so that knowledge had been lost).
2025 started out really stressful, new tenant’s in the barn, major cashflow challenges as we juggled business expenses and the Lodge refurbishment. Help arrived in the form of a payment in relation to the development land but we were skating on thin ice and relying on the goodwill of our suppliers for a fair while (thanks to Tim, Lee, Mercer and Hole, Olivers and Wilkin Chapman for their flexibility). But we got it done.
Then we managed to look to the future with positivity, Steve and Tobi achieved something wonderful in the glamping, Neil with the Dog training too. We also managed a Trust review/launch and a “secret project no 1” meeting. It was great having a moment to breathe and see what could be. Then the hamster wheel restarted…
The autumn has been quite manic, approving the development approach, working out plans (and cash) for:
- Granary refurbishment
- Water treatment plant
- Infrastructure (electricity, water, Internet)
- Glamping planning
- Driveway resurface
All that on top of running the business.
I’m pleased to say that I can actually breathe going into the Christmas break now and am not fearful of the challenges that are coming (I really was last year).
So, what do I expect for 2026? I’ll admit to being quite wary of the first few months as I’m afraid of the possible backlash from the local community about our planning application. I hope they are sympathetic as it’s our pragmatic future and not our preferred future. Beyond that I’m hoping that we can finish all the above in the early part of the year and maybe even start to refurbish the house; That we can get planning for a permanent campsite and that Tobi and Steve return with renewed energy. I’m hoping that plans for the haybarn can solidify – bakery, coffee shop, gym? (I’ll ask for ideas when planning is submitted so you can see the scale of the opportunity). I’m also excited that “secret project no 1” gathers momentum, thanks for your continued enthusiasm Matt & Jamie. It’s also amazing to have a potential “secret project no 2”, something I’m equally thrilled about (shhhhh Nick, Alex, Phoebe), it would be another opportunity to support the development of kids, something my whole family is passionate about.
Separately I’m hoping that we can have a few events with Herts and Essex trail riders. Once again an opportunity to help open up the countryside to a different demographic and to encourage the development of skills across all ages.
In conclusion, 2025 at the farm came in 3 parts (hard, filled with opportunity then structured). 2026 feels as though the structure will continue, the changes be consolidated and maybe we can start to see the fruits of all this work?
We (Dad and I) hope that you can all look back at 2025 with a smile, even a wry one, and wish all of you a prosperous 2026.
Please do come and visit us and if you do have any questions about what we’re doing or why then just ask. Suggestions appreciated too.
Stanbridge Farms 
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