Win a Remote Control Tractor

For your chance to win a Big Farm Remote Control Tractor, enter our competition at:

www.FarmToysOnline.co.uk/competition

I know many of you out there are Tractor Ted lovers (at least your kids are!), so you will be pleased to hear that he has brought out another DVD!

Tractor Ted Meets More Animals includes the amazing buffalo with their huge horns, see their calves, how they are fed and how they are milked to give us delicious mozzarella cheese.

There are also alpacas, wild boar, chickens and more big machines like a telehandler and a combine.

We also have the Tractor Ted lunch box in stock

The Face of British Food Fortnight

Would you like to know who is going to be the face of British Food Fortnight this year? Well actually, it's my sister! Sally Jackson from Pink Pig Farm.

And a great one she will be. You can see the full article in the Farmers Weekly here:

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/03/25/126090/Face-of-British-Food-Fortnight-2011-unveiled.htm

Julia

Christmas 2010 was our busiest ever and after all that madness I’m going back to the garden to do some grass-roots research! My New Years resolution is to finally grow something edible in my garden. As well as my small veg plot I am going to set up a poly-tunnel. My children have already bagged a bed each so they can grow their own produce - and I haven't even bought the poly-tunnel yet. I seem to start each year with great intentions, prepare the beds, plant some seeds - and then the weeds slowly take over. I am determined this year will be different so if any of you have some good tips for growing veg or setting up a poly-tunnel please share them with us on our Facebook page.

I was really proud that, despite the snow and other hurdles, we managed to get all of our Christmas orders out to all our lovely customers. In fact I commandeered my husband’s 4X4 (he was not a happy man) and picked up the team from their homes so that we could pack and post presents in time for the big day.

But now it’s time to think about the year ahead, and what better way to plan than to get out in the fresh air and dig. Emily, Oliver and Harry will be road-testing all our gardening and seed kits and as an incentive for all you green-fingered-types out there, we’re running a special offer on our Fun to Grow kids seeds packs. You can buy our Flower Bunch, Scrummy Healthy Veg and Happy Herbs seed packs together for 15% off - they were £9.89, now £8.40. Find the offer on our website here.

I predict a riot!

I went to Toy Fair at Olympia last week and oh my are we in for some fun with tractors this Summer. My big predictions for 2011 are the new Land Rovers in generous 1:16 scale from Britains and Bruder - dads will love these as much as the little ones. The Britains model even has light and sound, with trailer and cow too. There’s also a large remote control tractor from Claas that I reckon is a winner. There are lots more products coming out over the next few months. We already have a great new backpack from Tractor Ted at just £9.95, and Richard has some great new Britains tractors (the smaller 1:32 scale) sitting on his desk, which will be on the website any minute now! So watch this space for more predictions from the fairs in March.

Until then, have fun!

Julia x

Pink Tractors

We have been asked several times recently for pink tractors - and now we have some! These fabulous Pink Ride-on Pedal Tractor are ideal for all lady farmers. Stocks are limited though, so get in quick if you would like one.

This reminds me of the Tractor Girls - 10 girls, 10 tractors - and they drove them from John O'Groats to Lands End and then across Ireland all in the aid of charity. 100% of the proceeds go to 2 cancer and 2 motor neurone charities, so visit their website and donate for these very worthy causes. I got a lift in a tractor about 1 mile up the road yesterday - believe me 1000 miles in a tractor is an awfully long way! Visit their website at http://www.tg2010.co.uk/

Opening the gates this Sunday?

I really hope the weather holds for the weekend. Sunday in particular...

Care about your food? We certainly do! That’s the message from farmers across the UK who are preparing to open their barn doors/gates/pens on Open Farm Sunday THIS SUNDAY 13th June!

The event last year was a fantastic success. 140,000 visitors were welcomed on to 425 farms across the country. Visitors old and young alike got the chance to meet the farmers who grow their food and care for the countryside.

Open Farm Sunday is a day in the year when you get the chance to understand the true story and value behind our food, not forgetting the dedication and skill of farmers who produce it.
Every farm involved in Open Farm Sunday puts on a unique and individual event (mostly free too!). You get a real insight into how food is produced and the wildlife that thrives in hedgerows, trees and some even in dry stone walling.

You’ll find a whole host of activities, from tractor and trailer rides to pig-racing, a gentle(ish) farm walk followed by a sturdy cuppa through to a full-on vegetable olympics!

To find your local farms taking part visit the ‘Find a Farm’ section at the Farm Sunday website www.openfarmsunday.org.

Even if the weather isn’t looking too clever, still go along and support your local farm (wellies and waterproof coats are probably a good idea).

www.farmtoysonline.co.uk are passionate supporters of all things 'farmy' (naturally!) so we're are offering a fantastic prize to the best photo’s emailed to us of your visits to farms near you at sales@farmtoysonline.co.uk.

Snow, snow, everywhere.....

A Happy New Year to you all.



You may have noticed that I haven't written my blog for a wee while, in fact well before Christmas. We were so busy in the run up to the big day that we were all working ridiculous hours just to get all your presents to you in time. I was delighted if I managed to feed my children a decent meal each day, never mind twice a day! They got quite addicted to ready meals, which are normally a complete no-no in our house.



After a well earned rest, it was back to work and our January Sale. The children went back to school on Monday until Tuesday, then the snow arrived and they have been off ever since. Above is a view from our office, not such a bad place to work. The school have arranged online lessons, which the children think is great fun (long may it last!). I was hoping to catch up on the paperwork, which has been ignored for the last 6 weeks, but funnily enough I don't seem to have got very far.

You can grab yourself a bargain in our sale. We have at least 10% off most of our products, including Bruder, Britains and our Farm Buildings. Plus up to 50% off in our Warehouse Clearance. So why not get really organised and buy now for birthdays later in the year, fill the present cupboard for the parties your children will be invited to or, if you are really organised, buy for next Christmas!

Later this month we are off to buy lots more exciting new stock - this is the part of the year I love! -weather permitting of course.

Best wishes
Julia

It is digusting weather outside, so I am happy to be inside adding new products to the website, even if it is the weekend. At this time of year I seem to work every spare hour there is - thank goodness I have an understanding husband!

Harry (age 2) is watching a Tractor Ted DVD on another computer in the office. He has watched it so many times he is telling me what they are going to say next - and he is word perfect!

Oliver and his friend are playing with lego, between whizzing in and out on ride-on motorbike!

The children have been testing some new DVDs which are coming very soon - Emily (8) and Oliver (6) both love them - more to be revealed soon!

I am just adding a new Bruder horse shelter and fencing to the website. These have been promised since the summer, so we are delighted that they have finally turned up in time for Christmas. I think they will be an even bigger seller than the new Breyer Horse Cruiser, which is galloping out the door.

Right, back to work.....

Julia

I have just received a present from a grateful customer! A lovely lady needed some model dogs and ducks for a 50th birthday cake she was making at very short notice. We managed to dodge the postal strike and get them to her in the nick of time. She sent me a picture of the cake, which is fantastic - unfortunately it isn't clear enough to put on the web, or I would show you.

I do however, have an amazing picture of a cake that a customer decorated last year (see above), using a couple of our model horses. Doesn't it look amazing!

Taking of being creative, my middle child after 10 days of half-term decided, at bedtime the night before he was due back at school, to announce that he had to make a robot for the next morning. So at 7 o'clock last night we were cutting and sticking, to make a cardboard work of art.... so much for an early night before they go back to school.

Still, he is now back at school (phew!). I have a sick child at home and a toddler running around but it is still a lot quieter than it has been for the past 2 weeks.

Julia

We were runner up in the Somerset New Business of the Year award, 3rd place in fact! First place next year.....

Meanwhile, we are currently trying to win a Wildcard place in the final of The Pitch 2009. Earlier this year, we won a place in the regional final and had to pitch to a panel of judges, just like in Dragons Den. We were pipped to the post by a energy gum company, but still have a chance to get to the final with your vote! Go to www.thepitch2009/videos-2009.html, click on South West and select Farm Toys Online (second from bottom), then rate it 5 stars!! You get a free trial with LoveFilm and 2 cinema tickets for your efforts. Deadline is 5pm 2nd November.

Meanwhile we really are doing some work here. Have you seen our new look website? If not check it out at http://www.farmtoysonline.co.uk/.

There are still more products being put on the site too, such as these cute little money boxes, great stocking fillers.

Somerset Business Awards

FarmToysOnline.co.uk has been shortlisted for the Somerset Business Awards! We are all chuffed to bits. We are getting dolled up in our glad rags and off to the awards ceremony tonight. My daughter is very jealous as Ian and Laura from our local radio station, Heart FM, will be there.

Meanwhile, back in the office, we are busy trying to get all our new Christmas stock onto the website. We have a limited amount of ride-on JCB's with front loaders and back excavators, which I think will rush out the door.

We are now stocking Breyer horses, which are American horses and their riders, with all the bits and pieces that go with it. Within 2 days of putting the Horse Cruiser on the web we had sold out! It is a fab horse box come combi-van, so horses and riders can go camping together. Don't worry there are more on the way!

Well, it is half-term, and my daughters godmother has just turned up! We are off to Lyme Regis for the day for sand, fossils and fish-and-chips.....

Fame is going to my head....

I felt like a film star yesterday! A camera crew (well a cameraman and a producer) came to visit us at FarmToysOnline.co.uk in order to film us for a Business Link promotion for successful internet businesses. How's that for an accolade! We spent the day mainly filming outside in the fields and garden and fortunately the weather stayed fine.

Elsa the dog, joined in, in fact he is probaly the star of the show. And filming had to stop when I needed to pick Harry up from pre-school (only 10 minutes late). Luckily he fell asleep on the way home, well playing with toys and paints is very tiring, which meant we could finish filming in peace.

I am just completing our latest newsletter, which should be popping into your inboxes over the next few days - if you haven't signed up yet click here and you can sign up now if you like. We will be sending you offers and letting you know about the new stock we will be getting in over the coming weeks.

Once that is done, I am off to Julip Horses to see the jumps they have been designing, to go with their gorgeous horses. We should be able to stock them very soon. Watch this space!

Julia

Phew, the children are back at school! As much as I love having them at home it's great when they go back. I am one of those that you either call a Have-it-all mum (own business / children / live in the country) or a Do-it-all mum (continually juggling business / children / husband / home and not necessarily getting it all right!).

Either way, the summer holidays were lovely and not nearly long enough. There was a constant stream of children through our kitchen throughout the holidays, some I recognised, some I didn't. The pigs grew fatter, the lambs bigger and the chickens kept producing gorgeous big, brown eggs for our breakfast. And the puppy kept chewing the children's toys, my bicycle, the outside table, in fact anything and everything.

However we were still very busy in the office. You might have seen us in the Daily Express and Practical Parenting, amongst others, who both loved our children's gardening things. We are currently redesigning a new logo and tweaking our website (all will be revealed in due course). And we have been sourcing some great new products for the autumn, which we will let you know about as we get them onto the website.

Off to prepare for my meeting with the designers tomorrow.

Julia

Holidays and clocks

Oh what lovely weather! At least there are some who are enjoying it - the pigs! Sausage and Bacon are having a lovely time in the mud. Their field has all been ploughed up in their quest for roots and grubs and with all the rain has become a complete mud bath. They have really grown - as soon as the weather improves I will take some more photos of them.

Some people who have been enjoying the summer holidays are Thomas and Oliver. Here is a picture of them having a great day out at The Alnwick Garden, in Northumberland, well worth a visit, especially if you have kids, I am told.

Meanwhile, I am tucked up in the nice warm office putting some great new tractor clock, digger clock and horse clocks on the website, whilst supervising cake making the my 6-year old son. They are gorgeous (the clocks, not the cakes), I have already given some as presents for children.

Enjoy the holidays!

Julia

We are all very excited here in the Farm Toys office - after being filmed for The Pitch last month, I was on BBC Somerset radio last week, I will be in Hello magazine in no time!!!

We have also been talking to Luke Joyce, age 3, from Lancashire, who was the lucky winner of our ride-on tractor competition. Well actually we have been talking to his mum. They decided he would like one of our new excavators, ideal for the sandpit or even taking to the beach, but then went for a last minute change and decided on a John Deere Pedal Tractor & Trailer.

We have a new competition this month to win a Wheelie Suit Case - either a horse one or one with tractors and diggers on. Go to www.farmtoysonline.co.uk/competition to enter.

Meanwhile out in the fields the sheep have finally been shorn (or is it sheared?). I am sure it was a welcome relief, with last week's weather, but now that the rain has set in I am not so sure!

Fox Attack!!

The fox has eaten 2 of our chickens! Well, actually she got 1 and she injured another so that it died of its injuries. They were shut in their house at night but she managed to lift the sliding door up enough to get her nose in. It's lucky she didn't get right into the house or she would have killed them all. Another 1 had a bit gouged out of her neck and a fourth had a bit of her wing attacked, but they seem to be recovering well. No eggs for a while, I imagine, until they get over the shock.

I say "she" for the fox as I assume it is the mother of the cubs we hear making a racket in the field behind. I have 2 sets of friends who have lost all their chickens lately, including the next door neighbour, and not through lack of attention - they really are crafty things these foxes.

On a brighter note, Bacon & Sausage, the pigs, are loving the very wet weather we have been having today. It has made their field into a mud bath - and they are wallowing in it!

Here in the office we felt very important when a newspaper asked for some pictures of children on tractors. The ones we had weren't suitable - but of course they needed them now! Our ride-on tractors (apart from the youngest son's) are boxed, and generally need to have wheels and steering wheels attached, so we couldn't produce any immediately. A pop next door to borrow a John Deere pedal tractor resolved that one. Next problem - children! All but my smallest were at school, so a visit to another neighbour was called for. Unfortunately, they were on their way out - and one had chicken pox, which doesn't look great on camera. Eventually, I got some great pics of the youngest and middle (well, I might be slightly biased), let's hope they were in time for the article.

Julia
Farm Toys Online

Here's a picture of me pitching at The Pitch 2009. What they don't mention is that I dropped the basket of toys afterwards - perhaps that's on the video to be revealed later.

Julia

It has all been very tense here at Farm Toys Online, as we were shortlisted for the regional final of The Pitch 2009!! It's a bit like a Dragon's Den and I had to stand up in front of 5 judges (plus the cameras and press) and say why we should win the £50,000 worth of prizes! There were only 6 of us from the South West who got through and we were the only company from Somerset! It will all be on YouTube in July, so you will be able to laugh yourself silly then.

Being in the big city (well Bristol) for the day I thought it would be lovely to be back in that working environment.... but when I went out to feed the pigs and chickens before work this morning, and sneaked out for a walk through the rape fields, which are in beautiful yellow flower, at lunchtime I thought how ridiculous, this is the best working environment ever! Cities are great to visit but it's lovely to come home.

Julia

Great Farm Days Out With The Kids This Weekend

Are you wondering what to do with your children this weekend? We have come across some great ideas to get out into the country:

Firstly, for those of you who live in the south, Tractor Ted is having a Farm Show at Longleat in Wiltshire on both Saturday and Sunday (6th & 7th June). Not only can you meet Tractor Ted (isn't it every young boys dream?) but there are also farm animals, big machinery displays, falconry, duck herding, sheep shearing, stalls to visit...... and of course all the normal things to do at Longleat, like the safari park, train, boat ride and adventure playground, amongst other things!

The best thing is, we have some discount vouchers on offer. If you just want to go to the Tractor Ted event and visit the grounds it is only £2 per adult and £1 per child with our discount vouchers. We also have a £4 discount voucher off a Longleat passport, which entitles you to visit the safari park and all the other attractions.. but you don't have to visit it all in one day. The passport is valid for the season, each attraction is only valid once but you go back any time before the end of the season to visit the attractions previously missed. (See the voucher or Longleat website for all the details).

For those of you living further afield it is Open Farm Sunday, this weekend too. All sorts of farms around the country are open to the public, some are open that don't normally open to the public, others are putting on special events. Some of the events are free. Click here to find a farm near you.

The Pigs Have Arrived!

Last weekend saw the long awaited arrival of Bacon and Sausage (the children named them, not me, honest!). Bacon is a Gloucester Old Spot pig and Sausage a Saddleback. Sausage is (almost) famous - his mother was one of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall pigs that starred in his River Cottage programme on Channel 4 in his Bristol community project.

There were Peep Wars between the pigs and the sheep when Sausage & Bacon arrived, as our woolly friends thought it rather unfair that the pigs should get waitress service, when they had to use the self-service system. I thought they were going to jump over the rather low electric fencing and steal all the pigs food, but they bottled at the last minute. Now they just bleat and follow us down the field looking very hopeful every time we feed the pigs.

Talking of sausages and bacon, we don't sell any! But I know a really great farm shop that sells it online aptly named Pink Pig Farm. It is all homegrown, GM free, free-range pork from happy pigs!

We do have lots of piggy presents though - my favourite is a Pig Cuckoo Clock. A pig pops out every hour and oinks. The clever thing is when it goes dark, he goes quiet, so doesn't keep you awake all night. If you look at the product page on our website make sure you scroll to the bottom of the information and you can hear the noise he makes.

Must go, time to feed the pigs.

Julia