Farm besieged by influencers puts wi-fi boosters in lavender fields
A picturesque farm besieged by influencers has put up wi-fi boosters in its lavender fields to help cope with the number of social media users trying to upload photos.
Castle Farm in Shoreham, near Sevenoaks in Kent, opens its 100 acres of lavender fields to the public every year in June and July for walks, picnics and photos.
Indeed, the breathtaking scenery has proven an increasingly popular landmark for social media-savvy guests looking to get the perfect snap for Instagram.
The field has become so sought-after that Lorna Roberts, who runs the farm with her brother and parents, has now installed wi-fi broadband signal boosters around the fields to facilitate the high number of influencers sharing snaps.
Ms Roberts said: 'It is quite breathtaking. The backdrop and the colour is just so impressive. It is like a corduroy of purple across the valley. It is the perfect backdrop for people's photos.
'There is definitely a lot of people who come down just to get that photo. It is less than an hour from central London and it is like you are in another world.'
She added that some visitors had complained about the lack of signal in the area which led to them installing the improved wi-fi.
The family has been running the farm for decades since the 43-year-old's great-great grandfather came over from Scotland with a herd of cattle.
They started planting lavender 25 years ago with the intent of producing essential oils to break into the wellness industry.
Lorna Roberts (pictured) owns Castle Farm in Shoreham, near Sevenoaks in Kent, with her family. Every year the farm opens its 100 acres of lavender fields to the public for walks, picnics and photos.
The fields has become so popular with social media users that they installed wi-fi boosters following complaints about the lack of phone signal
Now, they have around 100 acres of lavender, with 80,000 plants in the picnic field alone, and they offer guided tours and walks.
And now the fields of purple attract guests from across the world from Australia to Egypt, the Netherlands to Peru.
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They have even added a chalkboard at the entrance for people to write where they have travelled from, with a record of 56 countries in one day.
Many visitors are gardening enthusiasts who want to learn about lavender, but Ms Roberts says that influencers are still their number one customers.
She continued: 'When we planted it back then it was purely to get into the wellness industry. There wasn't Instagram, there wasn't selfies, there was none of that around.
'My parents definitely didn't expect this, but with the new generation coming through we were able to guide them with what we thought would be best for the fields.
'It is not only locals but people that come from overseas as well that want to experience the fields. They come from all over the world which is quite amazing.
'It is lovely that this little plant is bringing so many people together. When you get out in the field and see the amazing spectacle that mother nature puts on it is quite lovely.'
Due to the frost in mid-May causing the flowers to bloom late, the lavender season should last longer this year, with Ms Roberts hoping it will stay until the school holidays.
Ms Roberts said: 'It is quite breathtaking. The backdrop and the colour is just so impressive. It is like a corduroy of purple across the valley. It is the perfect backdrop for people's photos'
The family has been running the farm for decades since the 43-year-old's great-great grandfather came over from Scotland with a herd of cattle
She says her favourite part is the smell of the different varieties of lavender, which they use for oils as well as food and drink.
Ms Roberts said: 'They smell amazing this time of year. It brings back a lot of memories and feelings for people. A lot of people will visit year on year because it reminds them of their grandmother.
'It gets very busy around the weekends. A lot of the time they completely sell out so it is a good idea to pre-book tickets before they come.
'It is very much a family business, it is nice to be a part of it. I think a lot of people like visiting family farms that have come down through the generations.'
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
