Tim Cobbold
Originally from the farmlands of Suffolk, Tim spent 20 years in the food and drinks industry in London. From working in kitchens as a chef to running the much loved Rocket Pub & Restaurant in Acton, a love of people and quality food has always been at the heart of what he does.
A move to the countryside in 2020 fostered an uncontrollable urge to reconnect to land and soil. Having always dreamed of being involved in the whole process of food production; from farm to fork; Tim began growing on a small vegetable plot with a polytunnel in his garden. Here he realised he had an opportunity to grow food for his community that was nutritionally better, tasted better and offered a local solution to a global food system, at odds with the health of humans and our planet.
The seeds of Punch Farm market garden sprouted here and Tim remains passionate about making it possible and affordable to reduce our complete dependency on industrial grown food and swing food supply and production in the right direction. He believes that we must start both small and together. He’s excited to be embarking on this adventure and working alongside others to forge a brighter future for land, man, beast and bugs!
If not working the land, Tim’s likely to be found foraging in fields and woodlands, cooking up a storm or designing and constructing polytunnels, compost areas, compost loos, farmhouse tables, workbenches and whatever else needs making!
Skye Croft
Skye has spent this year’s growing season supporting Tim in getting the market garden up and running. Her passion for food growing took root during her university years in Bristol, where joining a local CSA opened her eyes to the joys of eating seasonally and highlighted the potential to transform how food is produced and consumed. Her experiences working with indigenous groups and on farms in Central America and Spain deepened her relationship with the natural world and inspired her to commit to the food and environmental movement in the UK. After years of study and travel, Skye has cherished the opportunity to live, learn and work on the land where she grew up.
‘It feels important to be doing this work back at home. True change starts with ourselves - by asking where we are from, what we stand for, and what little steps we can take to bring that vision to life. Supporting Punch Farm’s beginnings has been a great pleasure. I hope it inspires the community to also take a step towards a healthier, more abundant life for each other and the rest of our more-than-human world!’
Outside of work, Skye can usually be found foraging, making herbal remedies, singing folk songs, and dabbling in theatre.