Set amidst the stunning landscape of the Ribble Valley, Brookside Farm is encircled by the impressive Beacon, Parlick, and Longridge Fells.
The picturesque River Loud meanders its way around the farm in Thornley, Longridge, providing a tranquil backdrop to this rural haven.
Anthony, aged 55, and Jenny Lambert, aged 41, are both Longridge natives who purchased Brookside Farm in 2022.
Read more: Hoghton farming family named country’s best at prestigious British Farming Awards
Their original intention was to use the farm as a base for their growing forestry business.
However, their journey together began long before this new venture.
Ant’s pursuit of Jenny was a lengthy one, marked by persistence and a little humour.
When asked whether their love for chickens or for each other came first, the couple responded with laughter.
Ant quickly replied, “The love of each other, we weren’t so keen on chickens.”
Their story began at a local pub, where Anthony started chatting with Jenny.
Jenny recalls, “Anthony sent many a drink over for myself and my friend, it seemed like years before we finally spoke.”
Ant added, “She played hard to get. I asked for her phone number, and she gave me her e-mail address. That’s how bad it was.”
After much perseverance Ant’s determination paid off and they began dating, the couple married in 2019, ready to face new adventures together.
She credits the NHS for her recovery and says she is now “fighting fit and marching on”.
However, in 2022, while Jenny was away on holiday, Ant purchased 3,000 pullets.
Jenny admitted, “I was scared of them,” but she gradually overcame her fear.
Today, the farm boasts a flourishing poultry business, supplying free-range eggs to local restaurants, cafes, and butchers as well as their own farm shop on the site.
Challenges returned when Ant received a devastating diagnosis and underwent surgery for prostate cancer.
More than two years on, he is grateful for the positive outcome, saying, “Touch wood the results have been extremely positive.”
Ant urges men in their early 50’s to visit the doctors and get checked out, as early diagnosis can make all the difference.
Both Ant and Jenny believe in the power of positive thinking and an active lifestyle for overcoming adversity.
Ant explains, “If you’ve got an active lifestyle and busy mind it does prepare you, positive thinking keeps you going, pushing everything else by the wayside.
“I do believe, it’s a big help for dealing with such challenges and assists with recovery.”
Now, with their health restored and the farm thriving, Ant and Jenny have expanded their menagerie.
Visitors to Brookside Farm are greeted by alpacas, Kune Kune pigs, Brookie, Cookie, Babe and Dell Boy.
The lively goats, Sundance, Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy and a flock of 4,000 free ranging.
The farm attracts customers from both near and far, who come not only for the fresh eggs but also to enjoy the peaceful scenery, interact with the animals, and savour a freshly brewed coffee.
Their farm shop is a true showcase of local flavours, offering free-range eggs, a range of meat, local cheeses, and an array of condiments and sauces, all sourced from the surrounding area.
Although Ant and Jen were initially “not keen on chickens,” they now cherish their hens as much as they do each other.
The story of Brookside Farm is one of resilience, love, and a community brought together by passion for the land—and, of course, a bit of clucking.
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