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.