Latest news with #StrawberryFields
North Wales Live
24-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
We ate out at garden centre restaurant in North Wales that everyone raves about
The Bellis Brothers was first established in 1860 and began by growing fresh fruit and vegetables for markets in the Midlands and North West. Since then, they have diversified into a farm shop, garden centre, restaurant and seasonal pick your own. The independently-run family business is located in the semi-rural Dee Valley on the outskirts of Holt Village near Wrexham and the Welsh Border. Their story began when Mr Charles Bellis planted a strawberry in his garden called Black Prince, a dark and very sweet berry. In the following year the runners from these plants were planted in surrounding fields. From these small beginnings grew one of the largest strawberry-growing firms in the country. The strawberries used to be picked by teams of 'Strawberry Dodgers'. The term 'dodger' was used as the people used to dodge around the country seeking work in the fields at planting times and harvesting. The strawberry season was anticipated with dread by the local villagers as pitched battles between locals and the pickers were commonplace in season. This occurred mostly on Sundays when people from Wrexham, intent on overcoming the then Welsh drinking laws would cause trouble on the way along Holt Road to get to a pub over the border in Farndon. Luckily, you won't find much trouble at the garden centre these days, but the venue is still a very busy place. The car park was already jammed packed full when we arrived just before noon on a Friday afternoon. The award-winning farm shop was absolutely rammed with customers. We even saw a full-size tractor with a scarecrow farmer at the wheel in the middle of one of the aisles. The shop was brimming with local produce from the daily essentials such as bread, milk and eggs (all from within a 17-mile radius) through to luxury ice cream, preserves, chutneys, cakes and a fantastic craft beer selection. There was even a farm butchers and deli with a variety of cheeses, pies, pastries, sliced meats and ready prepared salads. The Strawberry Fields restaurant is located in a separate rear building within the garden centre. If you get lost, just follow the smell of freshly-brewed coffee, which starts to overwhelm the scent of the many potted plants. The inside interior of the restaurant looks a bit like a huge school canteen. You grab a tray and shuffle around a huge long counter, packed with various hot and cold food options. However, this seemed a really slick operation, which served the many customers, all ordering lunch at the same time, really quickly. The menu had all the usual garden centre options such as cakes, soups, sandwiches and baked potatoes along with all day breakfasts and crowd pleasers such as braised beef pie and chips, gammon or scampi. Afternoon tea with cream scones and sandwiches were set at a very reasonable £11.50 a person. There was an extensive children's menu on offer with a large play ground outside. We ordered our food and made our way to a pleasant outdoor terrace, which overlooked the Welsh fields. The outside area had parasols, which had me totally flummoxed on how to put them up? Until an old couple on the next table, showed me how easy it was! We needed a bit of shade as the outside eating area was a real sun trap. My good wife ordered the veggie burger, which was served with sweet homemade chilli jam, chips and a side salad. The veggie burger was packed full of tasty fresh vegetable ingredients rather than being one of those meat substitute versions. The chilli jam added a bit of tang to proceedings and I pretended I needed to try her chips 'for the review' but was just actually stealing them. They were fresh, crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I went for the tuna mayonnaise salad, after seeing how nice the ingredients looked in the salad bar. The salad consisted of beetroot, nut celery raisins, pasta, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, apple and red onion. It was served with a massive dollop of tuna, which wasn't too saturated in mayonnaise, which is a personal pet hate of mine. It all tasted very fresh and wholesome, as you would expect from a local farm shop. It was too hot for coffee or tea, so we settled for a bottle of Welsh still water and a refreshing elderflower drink served in a tin. We later noticed a free water dispenser inside the café, which was a nice touch. I don't know what it is, but there's just something appealing about wandering aimlessly through the various aisles of vases, potted plants, artisan jams and quirky gifts. You can certainly see why the Bellis Brothers has been named best food hall and farm shop for two consecutive years by the Garden Centre Association. Of course, you must always reward yourself with a visit to the obligatory café, which is always the busiest place in any garden centre. This one certainly didn't disappoint with great looking food on neighboring tables as well as our own outside table. Strawberry Fields Forever. The Facts Veggie Burger £10.95 Tuna mayonnaise salad £9.45 Welsh still water £1.65 Heartsease elderflower £2.55 Total £24.60 Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm Restaurant opening times Monday to Saturday – 9am to 5pm (Hot food is served daily until 4pm and light bites and drinks are available until 4.30pm); Sunday – 11am to 5pm (NB. Hot food is served until 4pm and light bites and drinks are available until 4.15pm.) Atmosphere - Strawberry Fields Forever Car Parking - Huge car park with overflow section Service - Self Service at the counter and any hot food is brought to your table. Overall - The award-winning Garden Centre with the restaurant being the busiest place.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Everyone accounted for after Addlestone flat fire
All people have been accounted for following a blaze at a block of flats in Addlestone, firefighters have said. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it responded to a "serious incident" on Henrietta Close, in the Strawberry Fields area, on Saturday. The service said 16 fire and rescue vehicles were on the scene when the fire was at its height. It added in an update published just before 21:00 BST on Saturday that the fire was out, though crews were still dampening down. SFRS thanked staff and partners for their "hard work". The road was closed and people were urged to avoid the area as firefighters tackled the blaze on Saturday. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook or X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. 'Serious' fire at Addlestone block of flats Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Everyone accounted for after Addlestone flat fire
All people have been accounted for following a blaze at a block of flats in Addlestone, firefighters have said. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it responded to a "serious incident" on Henrietta Close, in the Strawberry Fields area, on service said 16 fire and rescue vehicles were on the scene when the fire was at its added in an update published just before 21:00 BST on Saturday that the fire was out, though crews were still dampening down. SFRS thanked staff and partners for their "hard work". The road was closed and people were urged to avoid the area as firefighters tackled the blaze on Saturday.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- BBC News
Addlestone: Firefighters tackle 'serious' blaze at block of flats
Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a block of flats in Fire and Rescue Service said it was at a "serious incident" on Henrietta Close, in the Strawberry Fields area."We have a number of vehicles in attendance and we are asking people to avoid the area while the situation is ongoing," a spokesperson road has been closed and people are being advised to avoid the area, a Surrey Police spokesperson added. It is not yet known if there are any injuries.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh tricity students shine in ICSE, ISC exams with several scoring above 99%
(Serena Gujral and Prisha Arora) Students across the Tricity have delivered stellar performances in the ICSE and ISC Class 10 and 12 board examinations, with many crossing the 99% mark. Many toppers credited their success to self-discipline, consistency, and a balanced approach, with minimal reliance on coaching and a conscious effort to avoid stress. Akshara Saini, a Class 10 student of Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula, scored 99.4%. 'I preferred quality over quantity and took regular breaks,' said Akshara, a resident of Sector 20, Panchkula. Her father, Pradeep Saini, is a Superintending Engineer with UHBVNL, and her mother, Jaswinder Kaur, is a homemaker. From DAV Dera Bassi, Pranshu Kumar scored 99.2%—all through self-study. 'I never missed a class and paid attention in school,' said Pranshu, who hopes to crack JEE and pursue engineering. His mother works in security and his father is in the private sector. At Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, Navnoor Gill scored 98.2%. 'I want to join the civil services,' said Navnoor, an avid reader and painter who has read over 200 books. Her classmate Ryan Singla scored 97.8%. 'I began serious preparation only during the pre-boards,' said Ryan, who plans to follow in his parents' footsteps into architecture. In Class 12, Aarit Sharma of Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, scored an outstanding 99.5%. (Express Photo) In Class 12, Aarit Sharma of Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, scored an outstanding 99.5%, with perfect scores in Mathematics and Commerce. 'I studied in small portions and went with the flow,' said Aarit, who limited his daily study to 2–3 hours while balancing his love for cricket and extracurriculars. A resident of Panchkula, he is the only child of businessman Amit Sharma and homemaker Shefali Sharma. He now hopes to crack CUET and join Delhi University. Also from Strawberry Fields, Aasma Sri Garg scored 99.2% in Class 10. 'I rely entirely on school and self-study, with no tuitions,' said Aasma, a Class XI student now. A resident of Panchkula, she is the daughter of Chief Judicial Magistrate Ravneet Garg; her mother, Geetanjali Garg, passed away a few years ago. Aasma aspires to become an IAS officer and is passionate about debating, theatre, music and art. Ramaya Bansal, another topper from Strawberry Fields, also scored 99.2% in Class 10. 'I focused on regular study, group discussions with friends and family, and solving past papers,' said Ramaya, a Mohali resident and daughter of doctors Vijay and Sunena Bansal. With perfect scores in Geography, Maths and Hindustani Music, she now hopes to crack NEET. 'Reading and puzzles help me unwind,' she added. Atuleya Malhotra of St Stephen's School, Chandigarh, scored 99.2% in Class 10. (Express Photo) Atuleya Malhotra of St Stephen's School, Chandigarh, scored 99.2% in Class 10. 'Comparison is the thief of joy—that's what I believe in,' said Atuleya, who took no tuitions and relied on self-study and teacher support. He is currently preparing for the IIT-JEE while pursuing his interests in cricket and reading. His parents, Suresh Malhotra and Rajiv Malhotra, work with LIC and as an engineer respectively. Among Class 12 achievers, Manan Arora of St Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, scored 97.75%, with full marks in Commerce and P.E. 'I want to pursue chartered accountancy,' said Manan, who topped the commerce stream in his school. His classmate Garvpreet Gill scored 94.75%. 'I've been playing badminton at the national level since Class 4,' said Garvpreet, who now plans to become a neurosurgeon. Yuvika, a non-medical student from Sector 41, Chandigarh, scored 94% and has appeared for engineering entrance exams. Navtaj Kaur of St Xavier's scored 95% in Class 12. (Express Photo) Navtaj Kaur, also from St Xavier's, scored 95% in Class 12. Originally from Fazilka, her family shifted to Chandigarh so she could pursue medicine. 'My mother's unfulfilled IAS dream is my biggest motivator,' said Navtaj, daughter of farmer Jagdeep Singh and homemaker Amandeep Kaur. With focused preparation and six hours of daily study from November onwards, she put extracurriculars on hold to stay dedicated. Hunardeep Kaur from YPS Mohali scored 95% in Class 12. Hunardeep Kaur from YPS Mohali scored 95% in Class 12, with 98 in Maths and 94 each in English, Biology, and Chemistry. 'I always had clear goals and managed my time well,' said Hunardeep, daughter of civil engineer Harbir Singh Virk and freelancer Navdeep Kaur Virk. The former Head Girl is now preparing for NEET while also considering biotechnology engineering. For many of these young achievers, the formula for success was refreshingly simple—stay consistent, keep calm, and trust in one's own methods.
