The Chinn family started farming at Cobrey Farm in 1925 when Wilfred Chinn took on the tenancy of 50ha (125 acres) from Guy’s Hospital. His son, Bill, bought the farm in 1957 and between then and 1975 when his son, John, came home to the farm from Nottingham University, built the business up to 182ha (450 acres) of owner-occupied farm under the partnership name of Cobrey Farms. As the acreage expanded crops have been introduced such as potatoes , sugar beet, onions, carrots, blackberries, leeks, brocolli and sea kale.

A serious fire in June 2002 destroyed the potato and onion facilities and the decision was made to cease onion production and to introduce an asparagus enterprise. The site was re-developed to provide top-class potato grading and storage facilities.

John and Gay’s son Henry joined the business in May 2000 having graduated from Nottingham University with a First class honours degree in Agriculture and spent two years as a farm business consultant in East Anglia. Henry became a partner in 2003. Henry's brother, Chris joined the business in 2007 after gaining a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham University and completing a two year graduate training programme with IMI.

History

History