THE PURPLE PEOPLE
Hard graft has transformed a former piggery into a thriving business at the heart of Yorkshire
Tucked away near Wintringham, off the A64 between Scarborough and Malton, is a colourful gem that was once a disused piggery without even a tree on site, and is now a sea of lavender purple.
To many Yorkshire folk, fields ablaze with purple would usually be associated with heather high up on the moors.
But tucked away near Wintringham, just off the A64 between Scarborough and Malton, is a labour of love that was once a disused piggery without even a tree on site.
Wolds Way Lavender is unrecognisable from its beginnings in the winter of 2001/2, when the land was bought by Steve and Anne Jaques.
The couple, along with their friends and family, set about transforming the site, creating lavender fields, woodland walks, a tea room and shop, plus the country’s only wood-fired distillery, which was added in 2005.
Before creating the business, Steve was director of Eden Camp and said he had driven past the site for 15 years.
He said: “I wanted to do something for our family. I went back to Anne and said ‘I think we can do something with it’.”
The attraction opened in June 2003, and though the process of transforming the site was hard work, Steve said it was “a buzz, something different and a new challenge”.
He recalls: “The first day we opened was unbelievable.
“People were climbing up and looking over the fence!
“There was a lot of interest.”
The site is now a real haven, with rows and rows of bright purple lavender backed by a woodland walk and thousands of colourful wild flowers.
Steve admits that when he started out, he just thought “lavender was lavender”, but Wolds Way Lavender now grows around 50 varieties, which help attract rare butterflies.
The lavender is at its best throughout July and August, with harvesting getting under way in August.
The Mediterranean plant doesn’t like rain – and Steve says people can often “kill it with kindness” by over-watering.
When harvested, the lavender is transported by mini train to the distillery, where it is transformed into high-quality oil, which is used to make various products, such as hand cream and massage oil.
The essential oil is highly regarded for its health-giving properties, having long been associated with improved sleep and relaxation.
Steve explains: “The types of lavender we use are angustifolia and intermedia, which put together have between 50 and 60 natural components.
“This is why it does so many different things for people.”
The site produces around 12 to 20 litres of lavender oil each year, which is small on a global scale, but the oil is so po- tent, a little goes a long way.
Health is an important issue for the Jaques family, especially since 2006 when Steve became very ill overnight.
He was diagnosed with a type of MS and suffers with chronic fatigue.
Steve said: “I live with it, but tiredness is an issue.
“Anne had to learn everything I’d been doing overnight and the staff have been brilliant.”
The couple’s daughter, Sarah, now 27, has also worked alongside her mum and dad in the past, making it a true family affair.
Steve says though is hasn’t always been an easy ride, he is hugely proud of what he and his family has achieved.
He said: “People come up and say ‘well done’ and that they can’t believe what we’ve achieved, which is good to hear.”
Wolds Way Lavender is open daily throughout July and August. During September it is open from Sundays to Thursdays.
Tearoom, shop, parking, plant sales are free admission. June, July and August, charges to the lavender fields apply.