I have been following the lovely people at College Farm on Twitter for quite a while now and the other week I decided to have a look at their website, as one does, to see ecactly what it is that College Farm do, and to say that I was surprised is an understatement, here is why...
Richard & Katharine have been running the house as a bed a breakfast since 2010 (which her late mother Lavender established in the 1970's).
Set in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk countryside, the house is steeped in history and dates back to the 14th Century.
It was built by Sir John and Sir Thomas de Shardelow as a College of Priests to serve St Martin’s Church and inhabitants of the village.
Sir Thomas married Margaret, daughter of Sir Roger de Grey of Merton from whom I am is descended.
The de Greys have lived in Merton (the next door village) since about 1310. Both my parents grew up there and my uncle lives there now.
Richard & Katharine have been running the house as a bed a breakfast since 2010 (which her late mother Lavender established in the 1970's).
Set in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk countryside, the house is steeped in history and dates back to the 14th Century.
It was built by Sir John and Sir Thomas de Shardelow as a College of Priests to serve St Martin’s Church and inhabitants of the village.
Sir Thomas married Margaret, daughter of Sir Roger de Grey of Merton from whom I am is descended.
The de Greys have lived in Merton (the next door village) since about 1310. Both my parents grew up there and my uncle lives there now.
In 1541 following the dissolution of the monasteries and the College, its lands and revenues were assigned to Sir Edward Knevitt, so it passed out of the family, but in 1845 the Thompson College estate was exchanged for the Suffolk estate of the 5thBaron Walsingham. Thus Thompson College, or College Farm as it became known, passed back to the de Greys of Merton.
My parents moved here in 1973 when my father retired from a career in the army.
My parents moved here in 1973 when my father retired from a career in the army.
Fast forward to 2013 when I had the idea to develop my business by offering the grounds of the house as a venue for weddings.
Richard and I had our own wedding reception here back in the 80's and it was beautiful – we walked from the church back to the house where we had a marquee in the garden with the front of the house as a stunning backdrop to our reception.
My vision is to be able to offer the same magical experience to other couples..
Richard and I had our own wedding reception here back in the 80's and it was beautiful – we walked from the church back to the house where we had a marquee in the garden with the front of the house as a stunning backdrop to our reception.
My vision is to be able to offer the same magical experience to other couples..
I then got together with a friend, Debbie Harris of 2up photography, and launched the business with a wedding show in April 2013. After starting with modest ideas we were amazed at the interest shown in the wedding show especially via social media.
Very soon we had secured a giant hat tipi from Magical Camping and a marquee from Mortons Marquee hire which then gave scope to include several exhibitors.
Very soon we had secured a giant hat tipi from Magical Camping and a marquee from Mortons Marquee hire which then gave scope to include several exhibitors.
At one of our meetings around my kitchen table (fuelled by one of my many cakes cooked on the Aga) we decided to organise a styled shoot the day before the show to generate more publicity and to give some of the exhibitors an additional chance to show-case their products.
Once again we found social media invaluable and we used the Norfolk hour on Twitter to find several models for the shoot.
Once again we found social media invaluable and we used the Norfolk hour on Twitter to find several models for the shoot.
After months of planning the event weekend arrived with a flurry of excitement and activity. I continued to use social media to share the transformation of the lawn into an exhibition space and wedding venue.
The Saturday wedding shoot was unique to say the least with the addition of race horses, new born lambs, a guitar and a very fetching pair of white wedding wellies, while the show day itself attracted couples from across Norfolk eager to check out Norfolk's newest and historic wedding venue.
We can now offer sheep, llamas and alpacas (not forgetting Brian the Alpaca who has quite a following on Twitter) for weddings and lots of our brides love the idea of being photographed with the animals.
The Saturday wedding shoot was unique to say the least with the addition of race horses, new born lambs, a guitar and a very fetching pair of white wedding wellies, while the show day itself attracted couples from across Norfolk eager to check out Norfolk's newest and historic wedding venue.
We can now offer sheep, llamas and alpacas (not forgetting Brian the Alpaca who has quite a following on Twitter) for weddings and lots of our brides love the idea of being photographed with the animals.
After the success of the wedding show I decided to apply for a license for couples to get married here and since then I haven’t stopped! I limit myself to only 6 weddings a year so I can enjoy each one and make sure I give all my energy to each & every couple getting married here.
We have a local church about 5 minutes walk away (built as a pair with the house and where we were married) and it is possible for couples to marry there and then come back here for the reception afterwards. In fact the wedding here in May did just that.
We have a local church about 5 minutes walk away (built as a pair with the house and where we were married) and it is possible for couples to marry there and then come back here for the reception afterwards. In fact the wedding here in May did just that.
We are happy to host (and have had all of the following) weddings, hen parties, birthday parties, funeral wakes, christenings, family celebrations, bird watching groups, tourist events.
Our most popular events are festival weddings with the ceremony outside and a marquee or tipi on the front lawn with straw bales, bunting, paddling pools, fire pits, outdoor games, etc.
Each party has exclusive use of the venue for 4 days.
We do not allow fireworks because of the animals here but we do allow use of a fire pit and also confetti (but not together!)
Our most popular events are festival weddings with the ceremony outside and a marquee or tipi on the front lawn with straw bales, bunting, paddling pools, fire pits, outdoor games, etc.
Each party has exclusive use of the venue for 4 days.
We do not allow fireworks because of the animals here but we do allow use of a fire pit and also confetti (but not together!)
I have a list of tried & trusted suppliers and am happy to share this list.
I do not take a cut from any of my suppliers and a few of them will give a discount for weddings and parties here at College Farm.
We have field next to the house which is usually used for camping and parking. We also have 6 en suite rooms in the house available for wedding guests and there are also lots of other B&Bs locally.
The bride & groom normally organise everything themselves but I often find I end of doing more and more as the wedding approaches. Each couple is different and I try to fit in with their expectations and plans.
I do not take a cut from any of my suppliers and a few of them will give a discount for weddings and parties here at College Farm.
We have field next to the house which is usually used for camping and parking. We also have 6 en suite rooms in the house available for wedding guests and there are also lots of other B&Bs locally.
The bride & groom normally organise everything themselves but I often find I end of doing more and more as the wedding approaches. Each couple is different and I try to fit in with their expectations and plans.
I am always completely exhausted after each wedding as I put so much time and effort into each one, but I LOVE having weddings here and feel lucky that I can be part of each couples unique & special start on their married life together. There isn’t a better job in the world as far as I am concerned!
Richard & Katharine Wolstenholme
College Farm, Thompson, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1QG
phone: 01953 483318
mobile: 07930 470619
www.collegefarmnorfolk.co.uk
Richard & Katharine Wolstenholme
College Farm, Thompson, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1QG
phone: 01953 483318
mobile: 07930 470619
www.collegefarmnorfolk.co.uk