FARM IN BUDE TO CATER FOR DISABLED

A dairy farm in Morwenstow near Bude will soon be opening up the doors of a newly converted self-catering barn accommodation, designed with disabled in mind, thanks to a £66,500 grant from Objective One.

Work on phase one of the development has already started and will upgrade and refurbish the farm's two guest rooms so that visitors to the South West Coastal Path can be offered en-suite bed and breakfast facilities from April 2003.

Catering for visitors with a variety of physical impairments, phase two of Cory Farm's diversification will see a run of three disused barns renovated into high-quality self-catering units. Complying fully with the requirements of the National Accessible Standards for mobility impairment, the barns will contain features that will make disabled visitors feel safer and more at home during their stay.

Ramps and handrails, along with visible fire alarms, low work surfaces, extra wide and deep stairs plus a range of other aids will enable the farm to cater not only for wheelchair bound visitors but also the partially sighted and those with restricted mobility due to conditions like arthritis.

A new farm entrance and re-routed access for the farm's dairy herd and farm vehicles will also be created to minimise disturbance to visitors and provide appropriate access and parking for disabled guests.

Work to renovate the barns will start at the end of March 2003 and is due to accommodate it first visitors by July 2004.

Edwina Tape, who owns and runs the farm with her husband Rob, was inspired to embark on the disabled friendly project through her work as a primary care nurse, She explained: "Meeting people with a variety of disabilities and conditions made me aware of just how vulnerable and nervous some people are of leaving their familiar surroundings to go on holiday. I decided that if we could offer facilities designed with those with physical impairments in mind we could give some people the courage to go on holiday.

"I hope that what we are creating will be seen as a home away from home, where individuals with disabilities can have the confidence to stay on their own if they wish.”

The £266,000 project has been granted £66,500 from the Objective One European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), which match funding provided by DEFRA and £133,000 of additional funding coming from the private sector.