FOR Becketts Farm, a family farming business in Wythall, this year marks the celebration of their 80th year farming the land – a mammoth milestone of which they are extremely proud.

While today Becketts Farm is known for its retail and hospitality business, with an award winning farm shop, restaurant and much more, over the past 80 years it has grown and diversified alongside the community that it serves.

The farm was originally purchased by Albert Beckett, a dairy farmer who moved from Shropshire with his small herd of cows.

It has since been passed through the generations, first to Albert’s son Alan, and then to his son and current managing director, Simon Beckett.

From dairy farming to egg production, in the 1960s Alan led the business become the fourth largest egg producer in the UK and set up the first retail operation for Becketts farm, with the farm shop and bakery officially opened in 1980.

In the 1990s, Simon took over the business, diversifying the farm through a growing retail operation and property and business lets.

Community remains at the heart of this award-winning family business though, with the company investing in local sports clubs, charities and working closely with business partners.

Speaking of the importance of community over the years, and the role it will continue to play in the future, Simon said: “Looking forward to the next 80 years, I don’t know exactly how this business will change and evolve.

"What I do know is that we will always remain dedicated to keeping our community, our customers and our people at the heart of all that we.

"Wythall is after all, the centre of the Universe and the more people who realise that, the better.”

The company will celebrate this milestone in September and local residents in the village will be sent vouchers to purchase staple groceries at 1937 prices throughout the month.