I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I wanted to say in this first blog, partly because there are so many different parts of my life that could each become a story of their own. Sport. Family. Gullivers. Sturts Community Trust. The farm. Inclusion. Community. The people I've met and learned from along the way. 

Christmas often begins with the finished things we see around us: a gift carefully wrapped beneath the tree, a festive candle creating a familiar scent at home, a Christmas hamper filled with thoughtful treats, or a handmade decoration that becomes part of a family tradition year after year.

Christmas rarely begins with a decorated tree or a wrapped present. More often, it begins with the small things: a conversation about festive plans, the first mince pie of the season, a familiar face in a local shop, or the excitement of seeing Christmas products beginning to appear on the shelves. 

Meet the Makers: The People Behind Gullivers Botanicals

Discover the creativity, strengths and practical skills of the people who have helped shape Gullivers Botanicals, then join us for a special festive evening celebrating the makers and stories behind the products.

There is something special about autumn at Gullivers. As the leaves begin to turn, the air becomes a little crisper and the pumpkin patch starts to glow with shades of orange, the farm begins to welcome a new season. Families arrive with wheelbarrows and wellies, children search for the perfect pumpkin and the excitement of Pumpkin Fest starts to build.

October is one of the most colourful and exciting times of year at Gullivers. As our pumpkin patch fills with bright orange pumpkins and families arrive to enjoy Pumpkin Fest, it's easy to see pumpkins simply as something to carve or decorate. However, behind every pumpkin is a delicious ingredient that can be transformed into warming seasonal meals, soups, bakes and family favourites.

As autumn arrives at Gullivers, the pumpkin patch begins to come alive. What starts as a tiny seed in the spring gradually becomes the colourful patch that so many families visit each year, ready to choose the perfect pumpkin and make autumn memories together.

At Gullivers, we believe loyalty should mean more than collecting points. That’s why we created Roots & Rewards, a loyalty programme that celebrates our customers while helping support the work that takes place across Gullivers every day. The programme is designed to encourage repeat visits, strengthen community connections and reward customers for choosing to shop, dine and spend time with us.

We're delighted to share that our Pancake Bonanza, held on 14th and 15th February 2026, raised £439.61 towards our 2026 fundraising goal of purchasing a milk pasteuriser for the Gullivers dairy.

If you've visited Gullivers recently, you'll have seen our new menu beginning to take shape. New seasonal salads, handmade quiches, deli classics, comforting brunch dishes and fresh food prepared using ingredients from our farm and local suppliers all reflect what we love most about food: bringing people together around something made with care.

As autumn arrives across West Moors, the pumpkin patch at Gullivers begins to fill with colour, excitement and anticipation for one of our favourite seasons of the year This October, we're inviting families, friends and the wider community to enjoy everything that makes autumn special at Gullivers.

Each year, Sturts Community Trust welcomes a small number of volunteer co-workers from the UK and around the world to join our community. While many arrive looking for a meaningful experience, practical skills or a new direction in life, most leave with something much deeper: lifelong friendships, greater confidence, a stronger connection to nature and a new perspective on what community can be.

People come to us from the UK and from countries around the world, each arriving with their own story, interests and hopes for the year ahead. Some are looking for a new experience before university or employment, others want to experience life in another country or simply spend some time doing something meaningful and different.

Wild Spirit Kids was created to offer exactly that: a gentle, nature-rooted holiday club where children can breathe, play freely and reconnect with the magic of childhood.

When Elisa arrived at Sturts Community Trust twelve months ago, she was stepping into far more than a new role. She had travelled from Germany to spend a year with us as a volunteer co-worker.

Our Classic Car Show was about much more than beautiful vehicles. It brought people together, celebrated the generosity of our community and helped us raise vital funds for a new milk pasteuriser—an important investment in the future of the people we support.

There is something magical about telling history outdoors.

Rather than reading from a plaque or a textbook, we wanted visitors to discover the story of Isaac Gulliver through play, imagination and exploration. That's exactly what inspired the latest addition to Gullivers Farm Nature Trail.

At Gullivers Enterprises, much of what we achieve each day is built on relationships. Relationships that create trust, provide stability, and help people develop the confidence to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

There is something special about picking up a box of eggs from the shelves at Gullivers Farm Shop. They may look simple, but behind every carton is a story of care, responsibility, teamwork and learning.

When you spend time on a farm, you quickly learn that some things can’t be rushed. Trust takes time to build. Skills take years to develop. And the people who make the biggest difference are often those who quietly turn up every day, doing their work with care, commitment and pride.