A HUSBAND and wife have grown a thriving wedding and holiday business from a patch of land on the family farm.

Andy and Rebecca Jones run a tree surgery firm but decided to branch out and create an idyllic rural venue on Old Oak Farm, near Curry Rivel.

The rustic wedding and event area, complete with vintage marquee, handcrafted toilet block and authentic-looking shepherd’s huts is proving a huge success, with bookings flowing in.

The couple, who have three young children, have built up a blossoming business from humble beginnings.

The farm has been in the Jones family for generations, but much of the land and buildings were sold off when Andy, now 43, was 17 and starting out as a tree surgeon.

He bought back a small plot to store logs and woodchip.

When he met Rebecca, a design student, 15 years ago, he shared his dream of becoming the fourth generation of his family to live on the farm.

“So I said, 'Right then, let’s do it'”, said Rebecca, 33.

“We’ve got to start the ball rolling somewhere. We bought a mobile home and lived in it on site.”

The plan was to run the tree surgery business while living in temporary accommodation until the couple had planning permission to build a house on the land.

The process took longer than expected and the family ended up living in a mobile home for seven years. But it was there that the idea for a wedding venue business took shape.

Rebecca added: “We started the wedding business from the small dining table in that caravan.

“We were allowed to do just five weddings a year, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but we were doing it by ourselves, as well as the tree surgery work.”

Old Oak Farm can now hold up to 40 events a year. As well as its vintage-style marquee, the venue now has a beautifully bespoke toilet block, built by Andy from reclaimed timber to look like stables.

He has also constructed two authentic-looking shepherd’s huts, which the couple rent out on Airbnb, adding another income stream to their business. Another hut is currently in production.

There are plans to build a permanent barn-style building as a more weatherproof, all year-round alternative to the marquee.

Rebecca said: “It’s been incredible, really. The comments we’ve had have been amazing.”

Rebecca and Andy have received advice and guidance from Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants.

Picture: Andy and Rebecca Jones with Kelly Davies (centre) and their three children. Photo: Steve Haywod.