John Bushnell and his family have been in the village around 40 years. John bought Fordybrook Farm in 1972 and also built Jasmine Cottage, on the corner of Ford Lane and the Furlong, where the family lived for many years.

Originally, John kept 500 pigs on the farm, and 17,000 hens in a unit behind Jasmine Cottage, both small operations by modern commercial standards.

John runs the farm with his son, Richard, and daughter-in-law Caroline. They are helped by Robin Ackrill, who is self employed and also does some market gardening on part of the land. Robin has worked with John for over 35 years since leaving school at 15. All are residents of East Hendred.

About 8 years ago, John and Richard switched to the production of duck eggs. The site of hen unit has been built on (Richard and his family live in one of the houses) and John has built a house on the farm itself.

The family still act as wholesalers for hen eggs and other foods.John is now semi-retired, with Richard managing both the farm and marketing business.

More