Growing vibe through farm, food, friendship, fun & freedom
Springing souls and singing ingredients
Our story so far
Matthew Rymer
(with Craig)
January 2024
Mission, madness & mayhem
“Returning to the family farm, I was appalled by the lack of engagement and truth connecting the consumer to the provenance of their food. I launched Happerley, a pioneering technology and movement to empower all of us to know the journey of our food. This generated a groundswell of support from farmers and producers and enlightened retailers, like Midcounties Coop. Its success was rooted in the need and want for consumers to be fed truth and transparency.
“Covid disrupted our commercial strategy. Back in 2019 we planned and invested alongside others in Happerley England in Banbury’s former BHS as a UK destination venue championing food and drink provenance opening in 2020.
My pandemic dream
STORY ON A PLATE
We involve the whole supply chain in celebrating the best ingredients we can grow, rear or discover from named farms, boats and the best of artisan producers. Our recipes then celebrate these ingredients and you can explore the journey of your food, and the producers behind it, using the Happerley app.
HOW DO WE DO IT
We prepare ahead (and have already been busy) using sous vide, pickling, conserving, juicing, freezing, baking, saucing and preserving to lock in seasonal gluts. We involve the Willow Hill team and our suppliers in the process, alongside our kitchen garden and rearing plans.
My pandemic dream
‘Restore soul to hospitality and provenance to plate!
Champion the food, freedoms, simple joys and ways of yesteryear!
Create a welcome and a vibe.
My pandemic mistake. Instead of turning over to sleep I bought six bell tents.
‘Build it and they will come’
We converted the mangle store into a breakfast room, the mill house into a clubhouse. We transformed the pig sty into a bar, the sheep pen into a kitchen. We opened a restaurant, constructed a terrace, and a swimming pool. We created a licensed camping field.
And they came
Delightful camping families to famous actors and public faces seeking total privacy to party or chill, to foodies seeking authentic.
Somehow, we have created a unique vibe.
Matthew Rymer
(with Craig)
January 2024
2024.. Review, respite & reconnect
‘Restore soul to hospitality and provenance to plate!
Champion the food, freedoms, simple joys and ways of yesteryear!
Create a welcome and a vibe.
My pandemic mistake. Instead of turning over to sleep I bought six bell tents.
2025
We converted the mangle store into a breakfast room, the mill house into a clubhouse. We transformed the pig sty into a bar, the sheep pen into a kitchen. We opened a restaurant, constructed a terrace, and a swimming pool. We created a licensed camping field.
And they came
Delightful camping families to famous actors and public faces seeking total privacy to party or chill, to foodies seeking authentic.
Somehow, we have created a unique vibe.