A NEW farm shop is officially opening in Wellington.

Moonbeams Farm Shop, on the A38 near Pyles Thorne Road, will be opening to the public on Saturday, February 25, from 10.30am.

The business, which sells pork and sausages that is butchered on the premises, is run by Jez and Kristen Pitman.

Mrs Pitman said: “We bought the farm itself 12 years ago after graduating from Seal Hayne college with agricultural degrees. Jez went off to Iraq with the army. When he came back we had 20 acres of land previously used for growing peas.

“We thought how are we going to farm it? So we bought some pigs, started with six pedigree Gloucester Old Spots. They’re a traditional breed, slow-growing and nice to keep because they’re friendly and easy to handle.

“They’re free range all the time and they have lovely deep-bedded arks that they come in and out of whenever they please. What’s funny is that if it’s a full moon they’ll all sleep outside piled on top of each other. That’s where the name of the business came from.

“We started with six sows, then we bought a boar, Rufus. But we’re now on Rufus II and Rufus III. The head-count at the minute from little piglets to Rufus and his “wives” is about 150. They’re grazing and foraging on the ground but we also have to supplement with bulk food.”

RELATED: Click here for more Wellington news

The pair started selling their products at farmers’ markets until momentum for the shop grew.

Mrs Pitman added: “We’re in a good location on the main road but eventually we’re going to be right on the new roundabout for the Jurston Farm housing development which will make it such an easy access.”

The shop was built by Jez and his father John and is part of the family ethos at Moonbeams with other members of the Pitman clan, including four-year-old Bodey, all pitching in.

Keith Wheatley, chairman of the Wellington Business Association chairman, said: “It’s great to see a business with so much food integrity opening in Wellington.”

“Jez and Kristen are producing exactly the kind of locally and ethically sourced food that so many people are looking for. Our Food Town identity is stronger than ever.”