A Wokingham farm will close in October after feeding people of Berkshire for more than 50 years.
But whilst Grays Farm in Heathlands Road, in Wokingham Without, is preparing to close its gates for the final time in October, the fields are still buzzing.
Farmer Peter Gray, his wife Elizabeth, and his son Paul, are determined to go out with a bang, inviting the community to visit repeatedly, taste some delicious strawberries and celebrate their historic legacy before the final October 31 deadline.
Peter said: “It’ll be really sad for the customers and the schools, but we’re here until the end of October, and we want it to be the best year ever.”
Today, the farm boasts a long list of crops, all available at different times throughout the year.
Families can pick broad beans, french beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, courgettes, marrows, onions, parsley, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, sprouts, sweetcorn, and tomatoes, alongside gooseberries, blackcurrants, and redcurrants.
Agendas for previous meetings about initial plans for the Sports Hub at Wokingham borough council revealed how the land was sold to Wokingham borough council in 2014 for £2.8 million after it was listed for sale, but the land was leased back to the farm until such a time as the council needed it.
Funding for the planned Sports Hub, which is expected to start construction once planning has been approved next year, has already been secured from ring fenced developer contributions.
According to the chairman of Wokingham Without parish council, the parish is working closely with the borough council to plan a sports complex on the farm.
Cllr Nicholas Martin said: “Wokingham Without parish council is charged with participating constructively in the Grays Farm project, whilst also ensuring that Pinewood continues to flourish as an important leisure centre for residents.
The closure of Gray’s Farm will mark the end of a 53-year run for the Pick Your Own (PYO) destination, wrapping up a family farming legacy that spans over 150 years.
The Gray family’s agricultural journey began back in 1874, when Frederick Gray established his son at Heston, near Hounslow, growing fruit and vegetables for Covent Garden Market.
Generations followed in his footsteps until the original family land was sold for housing in 1969, prompting Peter Gray’s parents to relocate the family to Wokingham.
