Devon’s Award Winning Langage Farm is opening two new dairy offshore pipelines this month – just in time for the busy summer season.
The new underwater pipes, which have taken 8 years to build, travel the staggering distance between the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, across the English Channel to Plymouth, an estimated 151 km / 94 miles.
One pipe will transport Jersey and Guernsey milk, with the other, smaller, platinum plated pipe transferring rich cream from the Channel Islands – both of which are vital to Langage Farm in Devon, and their renowned, delicious dairy products.
“We already have our own herd of Jersey and Guernsey cows here in Devon,” said Steve Davies, Langage Farm’s National Marketing and Account Manager. “However, the huge number of products we produce demands that we source extra Channel Island milk to supplement our own herds. Our Clotted Cream contains the richest possible cream and our ice creams and yogurts contain the creamy Channel Island milk giving the unique, delicious flavour.
We’re delighted to be unveiling the new sea-bed milk pipe with an official Tap Turning on Ceremony today with celebratory cream teas – the Devon way of course – cream first jam on top!”
The Pipeline Tap, based just off Plymouth Hoe (the exact location being top secret), will be managed by a specialist team of Milk Engineer Pipeliners (MEPs) from both the UK and France. The vast pipeline consists of smaller interconnected pipes forming complex networks with the purpose of bringing milk and creams direct from the Jersey and Guernsey cows to several nearby wells, then on to sub-sea pipelines ending up at the Port of Plymouth for Langage Farm.
The pipeline has to cross vast water expanses. These pipelines are referred to as “marine” pipelines (also referred to as “MPs”). They are used primarily to carry oil or gas, but transportation of milk and cream is a first for the UK – and another pioneering first for Langage Farm.
Both Jersey and Guernsey have strong links to their neighbour, France. However, Langage Farm are keen to secure additional volumes of Channel Island milk, piped directly to Plymouth, for their famous traditional clotted cream and their luxury farmhouse yogurts which can be found on a number of well-known supermarket shelves across the country.
Langage Farm has been a family run business for over 40 years producing luxury, multi award-winning dairy products including traditional and flavoured clotted cream, yogurts and ice cream for sale across Devon and Cornwall, and nationally through a number of major supermarkets.
Pioneers in sustainability, they are the only UK dairy with a working farm, manufacturing plant and Anaerobic Digester all on the same site and is the UK’s first carbon neutral dairy farm.
“We ONLY use the freshest and best, ingredients to make the most delicious ice cream, clotted cream, yogurts, sorbets and cottage cheeses” added Steve. “All our products are made by hand in our Devonshire creamery, by local people, with a passion for every flavour and every pot. It’s no wonder that year after year, we win lots of awards. We’re so proud of our products, our herd, our farm and our team who know everything there is to know about milk, different flavours and how to ensure the Devon (and Jersey & Guernsey) sun shines through in everything we make.”