Wave of support rescues raid-hit Isfield family farm
Donations now totalling more than £10,000 have flowed in to save a family farm threatened with closure after all its stock was stolen.
Balaclava-wearing thieves targeted South Brockwells Farm Shop on Friday night prompting farmers Arron and Chrissy Wells to close the business.
Asking what they could do to help, Chrissy told friends they had to raise about £1,500 to make good some of their losses. But the pair were shocked and delighted to discover how popular they were after the total quickly rose above £10,000 and could top £11,000. After giving up all hope, the family now plans to open the farm shop in December and hold a party 'for all the amazing people who have helped us.'
Chrissy, Arron and their two daughters, Lucy and Daisy have battled problem after problem trying to keep their family farm afloat. They nearly had to close a year ago when Bradfords Lane shut to through traffic for major works. Then the long, hot summer saw takings across farm businesses go down as a cross country course had to close and livestock be fed on precious winter rations.
For years they supported the local community by staging children's courses on farm practices and how food arrives on our plates. They also hold in-school sessions for youngsters, stage open days, invite people onto the farm and run 'fun days' with sheep racing.
Chrissy described waking on Friday night to see four masked men a few yards away from their house. She told the Sussex Express: "The dogs woke us up. The men must have realised we'd been alerted as we heard a car start up. We called 999 and police tried to track the car down but couldn't catch it. It was absolutely terrifying. Neither of us can sleep now, wondering if this is going to happen again."
The pair then discovered their farm shop had been broken into and ransacked. Chrissy went on: "They'd taken all our chilled and frozen produce including packages made up for Christmas. Also all our kitchen and butchery equipment including knives had gone. This means we've had to close the shop.
"Four local farm shops have closed down recently. People say, 'Oh, you'll soon pick up again' but I'm not a Richard Branson kind of person, I'm a farmer and this has dealt us a dreadful blow. We've fought long and hard to keep the shop going and we've had to overcome so many difficulties." She said she'd been told stolen meat turns up at car boot sales across London. "People are short of money and will buy anything, not querying where it comes from."
In a similar incident, on the same night four individuals broke into a locked garage at Allens Farm, Meres Lane, Five Ashes, stole power tools and emptied freezers containing a large batch of meat just collected from the butcher. Owners say the stolen meat is clearly labelled Allens Farm and if thieves attempt to rip the labels off visible label marks or adhesive residue will remain on the packaging.
CCTV and doorbell footage captured images of four individuals wearing balaclavas and carrying bolt croppers. They were thought to be targeting nearby properties. Police say if you have been offered suspiciously cheap meat, please let them know by calling 101 quoting number: SXP-20261107-0063
South Brockwells buys and sells its own asparagus attracting buyers from London and the South East. The farmers are also deeply concerned about the proposed battery energy storage system being considered at the Bentley Estate nearby.
Chrissy said: "Running the shop is a hard grind when things are tough. You have to pay bills, deal with all the paperwork, deal with debt and stay on top of tight council constraints. But this has given me a kick up the pants. I'm taking on a new business adviser who's coming in with new ideas, perhaps a new format, helping us to modernise what we offer. Maybe we'll do pre-packed farm shop boxes, whatever happens people's amazing generosity has given us new hope.
"After more than 30 years as an independent, entirely self-funded business this could have brought our journey to a deeply painful end. What has been a lifelong labour of love, built through years of hard work, dedication and determination, has been taken from us in one devastating night. We thank every single one of you for your custom, friendly and loyal support over the years. You have been much more than customers and we hope you understand just how much your support has meant to our family."
Visit: GoFundMe - please help save South Brockwells farm shop