SAM AND JOCELYN'S
JOURNEY SO FAR
Like most couples we wanted our wedding day to be special. We considered various options but, ultimately, living on a farm gave us the unique and exciting opportunity to create our own special space for the day. We were sold on the idea. The next thing was to decide in which spot on the farm to hold our celebration. We received lots of practical advice from well-meaning friends and family; ‘make sure it’s near the road’ and ‘make sure it's close to the farm barns for power, etc.’ So it was a surprise to everyone when we chose the most remote spot on the farm, a long way away from the nearest road and the daily hustle and bustle around the farm buildings.
Why did we choose here of all places? Well to us it was the most magical spot on the farm, amazing views as you wind down the track towards the field then, as you arrive in the meadow, you have total seclusion with the mature woodland bordering the field in the valley bottom. The field was also home to the oldest couple on the farm – two veteran oak trees standing alongside each other for over 150 years. We just had to have it there, so we set ourselves the challenge of making it happen.
We were blessed with the support of family who worked tirelessly all through the spring helping us to transform this hay meadow into the most beautiful venue for our wedding day.
Fast forward to May 2022 and everything was ready. After getting married at St Margarets church in West Hoathly, the wedding breakfast and reception were held at the Fallow Meadow on Hook Farm just down the hill from where Sam popped the question 18 months earlier.
It was a truly memorable day and everything we hoped it would be. We both have a strong affinity with nature and the countryside and it was the perfect setting for our day. Friends and family joined us and much to our delight the sun shone all day.
We knew the venue would be special to us for all the reasons mentioned above but we were struck by how many of our family and friends suggested making the venue available to other couples so they could also experience the natural beauty, privacy and peacefulness of the location.
The seeds were sown; just 19 months down the line and we have embarked on the major undertaking to transform the Fallow Meadow into a discrete events venue where marriages and special occasions can be celebrated, and corporate events can take place, seemingly a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Our vision is to create a high quality ‘close to nature’ venue with the creature comforts of a mains serviced location. Based on a 3 Giant Hat Tipi layout, with a separate stretch tent nearby to enhance flexibility, those choosing the Fallow Meadow will have scope to bring their own visions to life.
Artists Impression
Parted from his tractor, Sam has been working on access improvements, new gateways, Sussex fencing, and specimen tree planting. The recent very wet weather has slowed progress. Meantime there’s much to be done by Jocelyn back at the house, including getting the branding, website and socials underway with help from professional partners.
We invite you to follow us on our journey. There’s much to be done and the clock is ticking to be ready to welcome guests in 2024. There will be regular updates on this website and through our social media presence on Instagram and Facebook so please follow us and keep us company on our exciting venture.
