Behind The Scenes


GRAEME LOCHHEAD

There are two people we need to be grateful to more than any others for getting us all in on time at Thorndale Farm; they are Farm Manager Mike Dewar and Graeme Lochhead.

Having previously done a number of building projects on the neighbouring Stowell Park estate which Mike also manages, it was Graeme who was given the task of transforming an old barn, a very old farm cottage and beef sheds into an office, owners meeting room, a flat for Head Lad Darren and most importantly, stables.

Obviously the project is now completed but Graeme still pops in from time to time to sort out any problems and tidy up a few bits and pieces so he stopped in to tell us a bit more about his business and the specific challenges of this particular project.

“Undoubtedly the main challenge was time.  We started in mid to late June and we had to have it ready for September 1st.  This included everything, the gallop, stables and Darren’s flat.”

 Graeme taught building design at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester for ten years before setting up his own business, GL Designs, specialising in designing and building farm buildings. 

In particular Graeme does a lot of dairy units (he’s just finished one for Waitrose) so this was something slightly different for him to get his teeth into.  “To be honest the stables were quite straightforward as beef sheds are actually quite easy to convert into American style barns.

“The thing we probably spent most time discussing was the gap between the top of the gallop and the edge of the field.  Mr Vestey was keen to make sure there was enough room for the hunt to get past and Kim wanted enough room for his turning circle.  Anyway they found a compromise!”

This does really sum up the essence of Thorndale Farm in that it works so well as a training facility but at the same time has plenty of other things going on at the same time.  Graeme is obviously pleased with the result, “If the place is working well and people are happy working in it then I’m content.”

So what’s next for Graeme?  His work takes him around the UK from his base in Cirencester and he has three more equine projects lined up including a livery yard in Yorkshire and a horse holiday centre in Marsden.  However, he doesn’t appear to have been hooked by the horses, “My father always used to say that you can feed two cows on what one horse eats so it’s best to make your money from cows!”

Whether it’s cows or horses he’s housing in the coming years, no doubt Graeme will be kept busy.  If you are interested in designing and building any farm buildings you can contact GL Designs by email (graeme@gldesigns.co.uk) or telephone 07737 268719.