A FARMING family are hoping to support local farmers as they launch a café in one of their former dairy buildings.

Jeff and Sharon Stead and their daughter Emily have just opened up Middlemoor Farm Café at their farm near Hudswell, Richmond.

It was set up after Emily suffered an accident while pursuing a successful career with horses, which included riding at Olympia, the Horse of the Year Show and several wins in flat racing. But after her accident she decided to retrain at college and studied to become a chef.

Emily worked for a number of years in catering, including at Middleton Lodge, and is now running her own kitchen, providing the food at Middlemoor Farm Café.

Her parents still farm sheep, but have left behind dairy farming and opened up the café in one of the barns they once used for cattle.

“We decided to do this last year,” said Sharon Stead. “We started the building in January and opened at the end of April. It took a lot of hard work but we wanted to open for the beginning of summer.”

Already they have had a warm welcome from customers pleased to see the new café.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant,” said Sharon, who as well as working front of house also looks after the garden surrounding the café.

“We have a lovely garden where people can walk around and sit, lots of parking and it’s just outside Richmond so it’s really peaceful.”

With the family’s background in agriculture, they are also making sure they support local farmers with their menu.

All the milk is supplied from Pure Dales Milk dairy in Bedale, the cheese on the menu is provided by Swaledale Cheese and meat is supplied by Campbell’s of Leyburn.

“Wherever possible we’re supporting other farmers and local producers,” said Sharon.

The cafe opens 10am-4.30pm every day except Wednesday.