Tuesday 17 January 2017

Art at The Orchard interview with Fenland photographer Katey Jane Andrews



We're delighted that photographer Katey Jane Andrews has agreed to do a little interview for the blog, she's exhibiting a selection of her photography here at The Orchard Tea Room, Wisbech during January 2017.

Katey please tell us about your work? What are you currently working on?

Being a wide subject photographer this may be tricky to answer, my nature is just a childhood interest, stemming from watching David attenborough  too much, in wildlife it's showing the beauty, power and struggles it goes through, spend many hours in nature so have seen many interesting things. with macro it's the stunning detail from insects through to fungi which may be the hardest of subjects due to their locations.

Landscapes and countryside are mostly just taken on trips out on wildlife hunts with a major interest in weather photography, from storms to flooding, to show the true power of nature. Often you will hear people state landscape photography is near impossible to shoot  in the Fens or around Bedfordshire but with me i,m able to pick out places many may not see, using long lenses and a tighter depth of field helps for more interest, I often say to others go try it.

Along with those subjects, architecture, farming and shipping, all my work is down to weather conditions, I look for certain conditions, in Fenland landscapes, it's either moody weather or the more morning lighting, any other can look too bland.

All my work comes from myself, fully self taught, that old saying of you can teach technique but you can't teach a keen eye is so true, with me I see the shot long before I hold the camera up, for a certain shot I may wait ages, for clouds over a church, will wait for the right conditions, no Photoshop used here!

people often get frustrated with me for not going to any collages or courses for having this amount of skill, I guess i'm one person who was born to do this type of work. must admit i do put lots of time and efforts in to this.

With printing, it was on my mind for a time, with digital comes the lack of image contact, so wanted home pro printing, It took around 8 months to fully get the printing to the standard I wanted, plug and play it's not!!.

At the moment i'm working on local churches, just done another shoot at Crowland Abbey and hope to be working with them for charity photography prints.

How did you decide to become a photographer?

Childhood interests, my interests put into working alongside nature seamed the right way to go, it brings all my interests together, walking, nature, photography keeping fit and being outside. been pro nearly 4 years. Started as a joke and went from there.

What's the best advise you've been given as a photographer?

None what so ever, I'm a person who loves doing things myself, working out issues my way, was told once to copy others, must of been 8 years ago, I thought never, i,m no clone.

What do you do when you are not creating?

Just a normal person with or without the camera, motorbike mad, bike racing is my thing, Moto GP, British Super bikes and the TT, loads of hobbies too, boot sales through to museums, anything that's interesting i,m there.

What are your life and work goals for the future?

Would love to be known as a natural photography who just made it her own way and prove anyone can make it. One day would like to live in a more wild place, Scotland has always interested me and may well suit my style in life.

Katey you're currently exhibiting some of your original artwork here at The Orchard where else can we find your work?

Passiflora's arts and home crafts
 3b South Street

Many thanks to Katey Jane Andrews for agreeing to be interviewed for The Orchard Tea Room and Farm Shop Blog. You can view Kate's photography daily 10am -4pm until the end of January 2017 at

The Orchard Tea Room and Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN


Telephone: 07527 046184
Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room

Saturday 7 January 2017

Logs for sale Wisbech



When you just want to relax in the warm by a fire we recommend kiln dried logs. We burn these on our open fire at home and they have proved excellent value for money. Being kiln dried they burn hotter and more consistently than seasoned logs and you end up using less logs.

The kiln drying process reduces moisture by 80% to reduce smoking and spitting, they produce a cleaner burn which reduces the soot and tar build up in chimneys. We're really pleased with them and are very pleased to be Fenland stockists for such an excellent product.

Kiln dried logs available to purchase from our Wisbech farm shop:

Open 10-4 daily

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room


Friday 6 January 2017

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables ~ January



UK grown fruit and vegetables in season during January:

Apples
Pears
Beetroot
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celeriac
Celery
Chicory
Jerusalem Artichokes
Kale
Leeks
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Pears
Spring Greens
Squash
Swede
Turnips

As well as selling our own produce we source locally grown veg to sell in our Wisbech farm shop:

Open 10-4 daily

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room


Pruning Apple Tree Courses for 2017



2017 sees the return of our popular apple tree pruning courses held here at The Orchard, Redmoor Fruit Farm, Redmoor Lane, Wisbech, Cmabridgeshire, PE14 0RN.

This hands-on pruning course is held in our traditional 8 acre orchard with apple trees of various ages, from mature Bramleys between 50 and 100 years old to the youngest tree planted in 2014.

What will I learn?

You'll learn, through theory, demonstrations and practical hands-on experience the necessary skills and expertise to prune apple trees. The techniques you learn will enable you to care for young, newly planted trees, keep mature trees healthy and productive and to "renovate" old trees.

This is what one of last years participants had to say about the course:

“I have an allotment with a number of fruit trees on it including apples.  I have been trying to find some where I can get tuition in pruning the trees correctly so I was pleased to find this site.  I had a really great day with Jim last week.  He expertly guided me through what is required to get my trees in good shape as well as giving me tips and advice on the care of them.  I am very happy to recommend the pruning days.  I also recommend the home cooked food served in the tea rooms!" Robin 

Who is the course for?

The pruning apple trees course is for anyone over 16 who wants to learn about pruning fruit trees. No previous experience is necessary. To get the best out of the course you will need to be physically able to have a go at pruning one of our trees under the guidance of your tutor, this can involve the use of ladders but doesn't have to as we have plenty of smaller trees that can be worked on from the ground.

The majority of the course will take place outside in the orchard so you'll need to be prepared for the weather by wearing outdoor clothes and bringing wellingtons and waterproofs in case of rain.

Course content

Meet at The Orchard Tea Room at 10am for a 10.30 start
Introductions over tea or coffee where we'll discuss what you want to gain from the course eg. which type of tree are you especially interested in, variety, age etc
A look at tools and equipment
Theory of pruning explained during practical demonstrations in the orchard
Lunch in our tea room: Delicious homemade soup & sandwich freshly prepared from local produce served with a pot of tea.
"have a go" at pruning under supervision
3.30pm tea and cake and the chance to ask as many questions as you like.

Tools

To prune trees you'll need a pair of good quality secateurs and a pruning saw, a pair of loppers are also useful. Please bring what you have along on the day.

Cost

The cost of the apple pruning course, including morning coffee, homemade lunch, tea and cake, is £65 per person.

Dates

18th January 2017

8th February 2017

22nd February 2017

Other weekday dates can be arranged during January and February for groups of a minimum of 2 

Book a course

Booking is easy, simply email us your name, address, telephone number and email address along with your preferred date and we'll send you a confirmation email along with an invoice, we do ask for payment in advance.


Our Pruning Apple Trees Course makes a great gift

If you'd like to give our Pruning Apple Trees Course as a present please let us know in your email, upon receipt of payment we will send you a gift voucher for giving.

Legal: Customers walking in the orchard do so at their own risk. Except for cases of negligence or other breach of duty by the event organizer participants will be responsible and neither the event organizer nor its servants or its agents will be responsible for any loss, theft, injury or damage which results from attendance at and participation in any The Orchard event. This includes, but is not limited to; personal injury, mental or physical or death, loss, theft, injury or damage to vehicles their contents, fittings accessories, items of personal property. The event organizer does not seek to limit its liability in any way for  loss, theft, injury or damage to anypersonal injury or death caused either by the negligence of the event organizer or its servants or agents or by any act of omission of the event organizer or its servants or agents. The event organizer does not seek to limit its liability in any way for any loss, theft, injury or damage to personal property caused by the negligence of   the event organizer or its servants or agents.

Wednesday 4 January 2017

January Art at The Orchard ~ photographer Katey Jane Andrews



The above pic just doesn't do justice to the fantastic photography we're exhibiting here at the tea room this January, you really are just going to have to pop in to see the work of local photographer Katey Jane Andrews.

Katey Jane developed a love of photography as a child when her Mother gave her a camera, she specializes in showing the normal side of the UK countryside especially wildlife, The Fens including Fenland villages, architecture and Fenland farm life.

As well as canvasses Katey is exhibiting framed photographs, there's also a selection of mounted photographs and art cards for sale.

Free entry to exhibition throughout January.

Open 10-4 daily

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Welcome 2017



Wishing all of you the very best for 2017
from
all of us here at 
The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Opening hours are back to normal: 10-4 daily
Hope to see you soon to hear all about your Christmas festivities & New Year's resolutions!

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

Telephone: 07527 046184

Website: theorchardtearoom.co.uk Twitter: @OrchardTeaRoom Facebook: The Orchard Tea Room