‘Back to the future’ farm hopes horses will draw crowds

A FARM where tractors have been swapped for horses and everything else changed to match will open to the public this weekend.

Steve Newlove, 31, and his widowed mother, Joan, decided on the giant gamble after losing their main source of income, five years ago, when a business which paid them to fatten pigs collapsed.

They have been setting up a crop rotation which can be sustained without modern chemicals and selling off the last of their old livestock to clear the decks for a showcase traditional farm, featuring out-of-fashion breeds of animals and vintage machinery, plus a “maize maze” and other family attractions.

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The BBC’s Countryfile followed up Yorkshire Post reports on the project last Sunday and yesterday Mr Newlove said he would be open to visitors from this Saturday and then 10-7 every day except Christmas Day.

He said: “The aim is to create a day out everyone can enjoy and welcome people to share our journey as we turn back the clock and become self-sufficient using only horse-drawn and hand-operated equipment.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, the rebranded tourist board, said: “It will be a fantastic addition to the wealth of attractions we have to offer visitors to Yorkshire.”

Thorpe Hill Farm is at Whixley, YO26 8AZ, near Tockwith, between Harrogate and York. See www.thorpefarm.co.uk.