The owners of Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh are hoping to track down previous staff and visitors from as far back as 1989, as they prepare to celebrate the attractions 21st birthday next year.
It may well have been the year when the Berlin Wall came down and the first Sky Satellite dishes went up but in a small corner of rural South Hams, 1989 heralded the opening of Pennywell Farm.
England was enjoying the hottest summer since 1976 and everyone was talking about Shirley Valentine and Australian soap operas but for Pennywell’s owners, Chris and Nicky Murray life was all about getting their business off the ground.
The multi award winning attraction turns 21 next year and as part of the celebrations, the Murray family are planning a huge birthday party. They are asking former staff members to make contact with them in plenty of time.
Chris Murray says, “We would love to hear from anyone who has worked for Pennywell over the years or had any part to play in the tremendous success that we have enjoyed.”
“We would particularly like to find staff and visitors from 1989. It really would be the icing on the birthday cake.”
1989 was also the year that saw the launch of the World Wide Web and with that in mind, Pennywell has a special birthday celebration web page where past staff, visitors and season ticket holders can get in touch, leave birthday greetings and be part of a very special event.
Chris added, “We have had the privilege of meeting and working with so many lovely people over the years. The party is planned to bring some of those people back together to share stories and memories as we give thanks for the many blessings Pennywell has enjoyed.”
Pennywell began as a bare field site with no grass, hedges or mains power. All Chris and Nicky had was a dream and the determination to never look back at their lives and say, “If only”.
Pennywell opened to the public on 22nd May 1989, just 20 days after the birth of Chris and Nicky’s first child, Angus. It was staffed by Chris along with Nicky’s sister Fiona. There was one animal barn, a small shop and a catering unit.
It was the first farm attraction in the country to introduce a real hands on experience with animals and the first to introduce half hourly activities, a formula that has been repeated all over Britain.
Chris and Nicky insist that the secret of Pennywell’s success is all in their determination to stick at it.
Nicky explains, “There have been many set backs and challenges over the years, particularly in the early nineties when interest rates soared. My advice to anyone with a dream is to believe in it and never give up.”
Today Pennywell employs 15 full time staff and more than 50 seasonal staff. Many hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years have been welcomed through the gates to experience what Chris and Nicky call, “Devon’s Friendliest Day Out”.
Anyone with memories of Pennywell is invited to get in touch through the new web page on their website: www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
ENDS
Chris Murray 01364 642023
