Norfolk farm shop owner attends 10 Downing Street reception

Charlotte Gurney, who runs White House Farm in Sprowston with her husband Oliver, was invited to the state rooms at the prime minister's residence as a guest of Norwich North MP Chloe Smith.

Visitors from around the country were welcomed by Defra secretary Steve Barclay and farming minister Mark Spencer.

Mrs Gurney represented a Norfolk business which has grown from a pick-your-own fruit farm into a thriving community hub including a farm shop, café and butchery - as well as creating commercial units hosting a beautician, dance studio, doggy daycare and a pottery painting firm, among others.

"Farming is at the heart of what we do, it's our roots, our history, and integral to our story," she said.

"Without farmers, we have no food and, as we all found out during the pandemic, food is very important, especially to a farming county like Norfolk.

"It was an enormous privilege to be invited and to meet like-minded rural businesses trying to navigate the plague of challenges that face farmers.

"I like to think I represented all the many people involved in White House Farm. It's a huge community effort of which my husband and I are enormously proud."

Charlotte Gurney of White House Farm in Sprowston attended a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate community food and farming 'champions' (Image: Charlotte Gurney)