News Nomination for entrepreneur
An enterprising teenager has been nominated for a Local Food Heroes award.
Christopher 'Billy' Hall was just 17 when he set up his own farm shop selling free-range eggs, fruit and vegetables.
Billy's Farm Shop, which was set up in November 2006, was Christopher's brainchild and a spin-off from the family farming business at Eastrington.
Just six years ago Christopher, whose family-run Home Farm on Long Lane, began breeding chickens and selling their eggs from the farm gate.
A year later, aged just 14, he began supplying and selling locally-produced fruit and vegetables, and then moved onto pet food and supplies.
In 2003 he opened a pet supplies shop and revived the family agricultural business after a 30-year hiatus.
Christopher bought his first pigs in 2005 and a year later bought his first cattle.
By the ened of 2006, the family business - which was started by Christopher's great-grandfather George Hall 120 years ago - boasted 120 pigs, 20 cattle and 800 chickens.
The produce from that investment is now on sale at Billy's Farm Shop, which sells own-reared pork, beef and lamb, free-range chicken and recipe cured ham.
It meant the family business - which came to an abrupt end in the 1970s when when Christopher's grandfather Gordon Hall became ill - had been reinvigorated thanks to the teenager's entrepreneurism.
This has led to one regular customer nominating the 19-year-old for a Local Food Heroes award, which is being run by UK TV Food on Sky.
Christopher said: "I'm very proud to have been nominated for this award by one of my customers."
If Christopher gets through the first round he will be competing against other regional winners for a place in the final. Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes will be choosing the winner.
Christopher's mother Judith, who helps put at the farm shop, said: "We are very proud of Billy who, at only 19 years old, has developed his business over the last five years to what it is today." (05-06-08 GT)
Published on 5th June 2008 in News.
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