The Mayor of Ashford’s visit to Green Farm

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr John Link continues his successful visits to support tourism businesses across the borough with a visit to Green Farm, Kent.

Green Farm is nestled in the heart of the countryside in the village of Shadoxhurst and is home to owners, Maryann and Martin Richmond-Coggan.  The farm offers visitors a tranquil stay in a superb luxury barn conversion, which has been lovingly restored.  The barn is perfect for larger groups of family and friends (COVID-19 allowing) and there is also a 15^th century farmhouse with individually designed bedrooms.

An exclusive boutique spa and tempting wellbeing retreats also add to the charm and appeal of a short break or longer stay on this working farm, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of ancient woodland.

On the 9^th October the Mayor was given a tour of the Green Farm’s facilities followed by a visit to ‘Fairyland’ where their associated charity invite families from the inner city of London  to experience the wonders of nature.

Cllr Link commented, “I am most impressed by Green Farm’s beautiful facilities for their clients but also the incredible work they do with local schools in the Ashford borough, their outreach work into our communities and also the charity part of their business in giving back to the young families in London – it is a credit to Maryann and Martin.”

Maryann explained how the commercial side of the business, which helps to support tourism in the borough, is strongly linked to the provision of their charitable and community work, and spoke about their charity, the Pearce Coggan Foundation. 

“The Pearce Coggan Foundation (registered charity number: 1189417) helps people to connect with nature who might otherwise find it difficult to do so. It runs the Community Wildlife Garden at Green Farm. There are two young people on work experience and come two and a half days a week; one is being hired this month onto a full-time horticulture apprenticeship.  In addition, local pupils take part in the Foundation’s wellbeing programme. The garden offers volunteering opportunities for people, who are seeking to manage mental health issues, reduce stress or spend more time outdoors.”

“The Foundation’s Outdoor Family Camping programme, run in conjunction with a London-based charity, sees families from inner-city areas enjoy short breaks at Green Farm.” 

Green Farm supports the Foundation by leasing the land for the community garden on a peppercorn rent, providing pro bono staff support, training, and donations of food and equipment. Full information is available at www.pearcecoggan.org

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