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Mere Brook has teamed up with Wirral's only private walking company offering guided walks so why not go on one of their relaxing walks through beautiful Thornton Hough countryside during your stay www.westwirralwalks.co.uk |
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Mina organised for some of her closest family and friends to join her at Mere Brook on the weekend of the marriage of her son Paul to Lucy – as a pre wedding celebration she organised a meal here on the evening prior to the wedding. |
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Meet the Owners
Donald was born in Barrow but moved to Blackburn when three years old as his father was transferred to a new position within the civil service. From an early age despite living in an urban environment Donald demonstrated his interest in animals and crops although this was restricted to breeding budgerigars and bantams and buying and selling potatoes. An entrepreneur in the making he sold his potatoes to the local shop and sent his mother to buy some and then return and report on how good they were to the shop owner. As a teenager much of his spare time was spent working on a school friend’s family farm which was always a more attractive proposition than his academic studies. On leaving school he worked full time for the Wilsons on their family farm which was run by Mr Wilson and his nine children.
Three years later Donald went to the Lancashire College of Agriculture to study agriculture initially for one year but he extended his studies completing a total of four years and gaining the top award within his group. Whilst at college he met Lorna a farmer’s daughter from Cheshire who was studying dairying. On completing her course Lorna gained a position as a chemistry technician at Myerscough College.
In 1975 Donald and Lorna married when Lorna was working as a Lecturer of Agriculture and Donald as a herdsman for Myerscough College. Despite having a secure position he was determined to start farming on his own and in 1978 was successful in gaining the tenancy of an 80 acre Lancashire County Council dairy farm. Over the next nine years he developed the business increasing the herd to 90 pedigree Holstein cows with heifer replacements home reared and 2,000 turkeys reared and hand plucked for the Xmas market. The family also expanded with the birth of Robert in 1981 quickly followed by Christopher in 1983. Lorna was now a course manager at the college and made history at the college when she took maternity leave.
Having outgrown the farm Donald and Lorna were fortunate in 1987 to gain the tenancy of a much larger Leverhulme dairy farm on the Wirral. Donald has continued to grow the business and currently has 260 dairy cows, rears all heifer replacements and has developed a DIY livery yard and an internet based business selling beef semen online.
Over the years Lorna held many positions at the college including Marketing Manager, Section Leader Business, Head of Department and Director. In the latter part of her career she developed a Rural Business Centre and Rural Business Incubator offering courses and business development services to adults and small rural businesses. In 2004 she was awarded an MBE for services to rural enterprise in the North West.
In June 2007 Lorna left Myerscough College after working their for over 34 years in order to help Donald develop their latest business venture Mere Brook House.
Rugby dominates the family’s life with Donald, Robert and Christopher all playing for Wirral, sometimes all in the same team trying to set up family tries ! Donald also enjoys riding his horse Blue whilst Lorna prefers to keep her feet on the ground and is an active member of a local walking group.
Mere Brook House – Recent Developments
Donald and Lorna Tyson were attracted to Mere Brook House by its impressive external features, wonderful mature gardens and its large traditional rooms. In addition there was the bonus of the paddocks and stables running down to the Mere Brook but perhaps the most important feature for Donald was that the fourth team pitch of Wirral Rugby club could be viewed from one of the bedroom windows !
In early 2006 Donald and Lorna decided to embark on a major refurbishment and extension project so that they could share their house with others by offering high quality accommodation facilities where visitors can work or relax in comfortable and luxurious surroundings. |
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