Bluebells Ice Cream Parlour, Derby

The Brown family has been milking cows at Brunswood Farm, Locko Park, near Derby, for over 50 years. Nearly three years ago they decided to make use of their own cows’ fresh, creamy milk by adding to it the finest ingredients to produce a wonderful, handmade, luxury ice cream. They came across RSS Hereford who have over 25 years’ experience of introducing new people into the wonderful world of Italian artisan ice cream in the UK. Since then we have been busy working together towards this goal.

With the help of an RDPE grant from the East Midlands Development Agency they were able to convert an old farm building into Bluebells Ice Cream Parlour and Farm Shop and they opened on 13 December 2008.

RSS designed and supplied them with the equipment and knowledge to make the ice cream as well as the display cabinets and bar counters to serve the homemade ice cream and cakes from in the shop.

Bluebells Ice Cream uses only fresh milk from the farm, which travels less than 20 metres from the milking parlour. The cows all graze on the fields surrounding Bluebells and are looked after and milked by Geoff Brown.

Artisan ice cream is all about creating fresh, exciting and tantalising flavours using locally inspired ingredients or ideas. This gives a reason to the customer to step through your door to see what surprises you have in store for them today.

At Bluebell their creations include:

• Strawberries and Cream
• Lemon Meringue
• Bright Sparks
• Simply Bluebells
• Devilishly Chocolate
• Panacotta with Wild Fruits
• Sticky Toffee Fudge
• Orange Cheesecake
• Hot Cross Bun Ice Cream
• White Chocolate and Raspberry
• Cool Carrot

Rhubarb fruit ice and gorgeous pink grapefruit fruit ice have proven to be a popular, non-dairy and refreshing addition to the menu.

In addition to ice cream and cakes, the farm shop is also selling their own home reared beef, various cuts of the finest locally produced pork, lamb and even venison including a range of award winning sausages and pork pies. The offering also includes locally produced seasonal fruit and vegetables, jams, pickles and honey, fruit drinks, local cheeses, milk, yoghurt and butter and free range local eggs.

To end a very exciting and successful first year in business, Bluebell Dairy was nominated for the BBC Farmer of the Year 2009, part of the Food and Farming Awards. What an excellent and prestigious accolade to be associated with in less than 12 months of trading. Congratulations to the whole family and team.

Rosemary Brown has since had follow up training from RSS Hereford on ice cream cakes and desserts which can now be found on the menu all year round.

February 2011 update: The Prince Of Wales Joined The Brown Family For Tea

In February 2011, the Brown family and their team at Bluebells had an afternoon they will never forget. The Prince of Wales joined the Brown family in their kitchen at Brunswood Farm, Spondon Derbyshire for tea and homemade Derbyshire Fruit Loaf.

Rosemary Brown said, "The Prince of Wales was so interested in what we do as a business. He wanted to understand how we managed our business and our objectives for the growth of the Bluebells Real Dairy Ice Cream brand."

After tea, Geoff and Oliver Brown showed The Prince of Wales chocolate ice cream being made. He then toured the farm, visiting the cow yards and calf shed. Following this Rosemary and Henrietta Brown showed him the stunning displays of homemade cakes and local produce before introducing him to the team working in Bluebells Farm Shop and Café. He asked them about their roles at Bluebells and made everyone feel extremely relaxed.

The final stop was the ice cream cabinet where he discussed ice cream production and flavours in great depth with Oliver Brown. He then asked to try Bluebells Strawberry flavour and the recipe that was developed especially for his visit; Bluebells Bread and Butter Pudding Ice Cream.

Before departing for his next visit in the county, the youngest members of the Brown family; Archie (4) and Elodie (2), presented him with homemade Derbyshire Honey Cake and a basket of Derbyshire produce.

Oliver Brown reflected on the visit; "It really was an amazing afternoon. He showed such genuine interest in what we do at Bluebells. The highlight for me was to see The Prince of Wales enjoying the ice cream that we have made with our own fresh farm milk at Bluebells."