Pie’s the limit for new venture

When farmer’s son Rupert Clemmit moved out of pig production he hadn’t realised he was about to become one of the upper crust. He’s now ploughing a successful career in pie making and this weekend he will be amongst many local producers at the annual Michaelmas Fair at Burton Agnes Hall.

His father, Bob, had run a 280 sow pig farming operation, incorporating a breeding and fattening unit, at Rose Cottage Farm and Northfield Farm in Garton-on the-Wolds, but that life wasn’t for Rupert.

He started out on his own 11 years ago having attended Bishop Burton College where he studied for his National Diploma in Agriculture. He felt he had seen the writing on the wall for small-scale pig producers.

“There are very few of us left these days. I could have stayed in pigs but we had been going through some hard years and my father was tired of being dictated to by the supermarkets. We only farmed across 30 acres and I couldn’t see a future for the farm without an arable enterprise to support it.

“I didn’t want to be stuck on my own with the pigs and we didn’t have the room to expand with us being based in the village, so it seemed obvious to me that I should diversify and start another business.”

Farmers’ markets were fast earning a reputation as a new outlet for aspiring farm businesses and Rupert seized his opportunity. The pies didn’t come about straight away though.

“We first started by selling our own pork, sausages and bacon at farmers’ markets in Driffield, York and Malton. It soon became apparent that everyone was trying it. That’s when I thought I would have to do something else. We couldn’t all be selling the same thing, so I decided to make pies. I had absolutely no experience, apart from eating them, as you can probably tell!”

Rose Cottage Pies was born and the first large-scale event Rupert attended set the tone for his new venture.

“I took 500 pies to Driffield Show and we sold out by one o’clock. That’s when I thought we were on to something. We now attend shows and fairs throughout the country. This year that has included going as far south as Cornwall, as well as attending all of the main shows and some of the smaller ones in Yorkshire. We now produce around 5,000 pies a week and the shows and fairs make up around 90 per cent of our total sales.”

Rupert’s pies are made to a traditional recipe. All of the pork and beef is sourced locally, through livestock markets in York, Thirsk and Selby.

“Right from the start we have listened to our customers and what they want. We do such a variety now, including speciality pies such as pork and black pudding or pork and caramelised red onion.

“We have ten regular flavours, but the traditional pork pie is still our biggest seller. You might be surprised at how many people still like their pork pies to be jellified.

“We get a great response to them wherever we go.”

Converted buildings once housed the farm’s pigs at Rose Cottage. Today they are the pie factory.

Such has been Rupert’s success with the enterprise that, unlike many farmer’s sons of his age, he does not owe anyone a thing. He’s proud of that.

“We converted the buildings back in the summer of 1999. I haven’t borrowed anything and I don’t owe a penny. Because we have been successful I have been working pretty much 24/7 for a while, which I’d like to change but I don’t like to turn any business away. In the early days I was doing all of the selling, but now we’re making pies five days a week and during the summer season we’re out for at least two days a week. From Easter to October it is very much a seven-days-a-week operation; and it’s the same again in the eight weeks leading up to Christmas.”

In addition to the shows and fairs Rose Cottage Pies are also on sale at four monthly farmers markets at Driffield, York, Humber Bridge and Brigg. In the past four months his new website has included on-line sales and he is also keen to expand his retail side.

“We have no minimum order, so long as the customers pay the delivery charge. It’s surprising how many will order a few at a time.”

There are now four full-time staff employees, including family members. His brother Tom is one of those who makes the pies, with Bob involved with the selling.

Rupert hasn’t given up on keeping livestock and when he can create some spare time he has plans to return pigs to the farm, as well as cattle.

The Michaelmas Fair takes place at Burton Agnes Hall today and tomorrow.

Make a date for Michaelmas

Michaelmas traditionally signalled the end of the farming year.

It is usually celebrated on September 29; however the Old Michaelmas Day was held on October 10 or 11.

Legend states that blackberries should not be picked after this date. The reason given is that this is the day Satan was banished from heaven and fell into a blackberry bush.