ONE of the pioneers of farm diversification in North Yorkshire, Staintondale Shire Horse Farm, won a national award in this year's Farm Attraction of the Year awards.

Tony Jenkins bought the small cliff-top farm in 1969 but soon realised it had little future as a traditional smallholding because of its size.

Using the skills he acquired in the construction industry, he set about converting the 300-year-old farm buildings, to give them a new lease of life as a farm holiday attraction. And he toured the country acquiring relics of the farming industry of yester-year.

With his life-long love of horses, which has seen him ploughing in pairs at agricultural shows, he believed he had the potential to create what was to become the first venture of its kind in the county. "At that time, farm diversification hadn't even been heard of," said Mr Jenkins.

Today, his farm has 18 horses and ponies, a museum, farm-trail, video-cinema and a picnic park.

In addition, flamboyant grandfather Mr Jenkins has developed his own rodeo show and gives demonstrations with his horses.

Over the years, he has won several accolades, among them three Yorkshire Tourist Board's White Rose Awards with others from Scarborough Civic Society, Save the Children Fund, and the Scarborough in Bloom awards.

"We employ eight staff - far more than the farm would ever have done in its hey-day," said Mr Jenkins.

Extensive conservation work has been carried out at the farm, including planting woodlands and restoring a pond.

For more than 100 years, the farm was the home of the Mead family in the 18th century, and it was a secret spot used by smugglers bringing in gin, brandy and tobacco from boats coming ashore below the 200ft high cliffs a couple of fields from the farm.

A cow byre has now been converted into a tearoom and shop.

Tony, who has written nine books about his life with horses, has also unearthed a wealth of history on the farmland, including a beehive quern (for grinding corn) dating back to Roman times, 2000 years ago, which was found in an old dry stone wall.

The judges of the Farm Attraction of the Year award said they were impressed with the enthusiasm and attention to detail of the farm. They commended Tony, and his wife Ann, for creating static displays, play areas, and the cottage museum.

They were presented with the award by officials of the English Tourism Council.

Updated: 09:20 Thursday, September 05, 2002