Family farm closing to build new sports complex
It is set to close in October
A local farm will close in October after feeding people of Berkshire for over 50 years.
But whilst Grays Farm in Heathlands Road, Wokingham Without is preparing to close its gates for the final time in October, this June the fields are still buzzing, overflow car parks full and families crowding over picnic tables and blankets.
Farmer Peter Gray, his wife Elizabeth and his son Paul are determined to go out with a bang, inviting the community to visit repeatedly, taste some delicious strawberries and celebrate their historic legacy before the final October 31 deadline.
He said: “It’ll be really sad for the customers and the schools, but we’re here until the end of October and we want it to be the best year ever.”
Right now its strawberry season, but not raspberry season yet. But the first raspberries will be ripe before the end of the month, and potatoes are almost ready to pick too.
He said: “We have four varieties: they’re grown for flavour, not shelf life.
“If you want to keep them at home, go to the supermarket. We’ve got the flavour.”
Today, the farm boasts a long list of crops, all available at different times throughout the year.
Families can pick broad beans, french beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, courgettes, marrows, onions, parsley, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, sprouts, sweetcorn, and tomatoes, alongside gooseberries, blackcurrants, and redcurrants.
The farm’s strawberries and raspberries remain the favourites, filling the overflow car park and seeing the green spaces at Gray’s farm covered in picnicking families.
Peter said: “When we test the fruit, it’s quality control. When the customers taste it, it’s advertising.
“Taste the fruit to test its quality, but please don’t feast.”
According to the Chairman of Wokingham Without Parish Council, the parish is working closely with Borough Council to plan a sports complex on the farm.
Cllr Nicholas Martin said: “Wokingham Without Parish council is charged with participating constructively in the Grays Farm project whilst also ensuring that Pinewood continues to flourish as an important leisure centre for residents.
“People from all over the borough use Pinewood, which is really a national treasure and which is run of course by Wokingham Without Parish Council. Both the Gym club and the Judo club of Pinewood have sent members to participate in the Olympic Games.”
The closure of Gray’s Farm marks the end of a 53-year run for the Pick Your Own (PYO) destination, wrapping up a family farming legacy that spans over 150 years.
The Gray family’s agricultural journey began back in 1874, when Frederick Gray established his son at Heston, near Hounslow, growing fruit and vegetables for Covent Garden Market.
Generations followed in his footsteps until the original family land was sold for housing in 1969, prompting Peter Gray’s parents to relocate the family to Wokingham.
Initially, the Wokingham venture continued supplying the wholesale markets.
Economic tumult of the early 1970s, with skyrocketing 20 percent inflation, rising unemployment, and restriction of migrant workers—combined with the aggressive rise of supermarkets to severely impact the wholesale trade.
So in 1973, the family turned away from the wholesale market and decided to sell directly to the public.
Peter’s parents began inviting families onto the farm to pick their own produce.
After spending a decade away gaining valuable agricultural and management experience elsewhere, Peter returned to the Wokingham farm with his wife and children to work alongside his father.
The family started off growing two PYO crops, but they faced competition from nearby farms in Heathlands Farm, Finchampstead Road and Binfield, so they expanded and now they grow 22 different crops and extended their open season from two months to five.
Though Wokingham Council purchased the land in 2014, the Gray family rented it back and has continued to run the farm ever since.
When the farm closes Peter plans to stay locally, and Paul will be looking for a new role.
Paul said: “I’ll work for someone else and have an easy life.
His father said: “He’s lucky – he’s got a good boss.”