Meet Noel Jones

Noel has been a big part of Barker’s for some 10 years. His role? “Everything but the lawn” he chuckles.
In a nutshell that includes garden maintenance of up to 500 plants and trees around the farm, clearing and levelling, and being the ‘go to’ general handyman. He’s a real character here on the farm and is regularly seen puttering around on his trusty red Mule.
For Noel, Barker’s 50 acres of family farm becomes his work-day playground which boasts ever-changing views from this office window (aka the driver side of his Mule) as the seasons roll by. Autumn is particularly pretty as the giant Oaks lose their leaves but also keeps him busy to ensure they stay out of the factory!

There was once a piggery on the farm, at a time when Anthony & Gillian Barker still lived in the old homestead, now converted to offices. Noel and Maurice (whom Noel fondly remembers as his “partner in garden crime” before he passed away) helped level the old piggery to make way for the truck loading bay.
A dairy farmer for 43 years, milking cows in various parts of Westland and Canterbury, Noel, now 72, can lend his hand to virtually anything on the farm. He prefers gardening, just quietly! From working on irrigation to whipping up a number 8 wire fence, he is very hands-on and delights in keeping things ticking over at the farm without a glitch. And, after a busy day at the farm, he returns to his wife Jocelyn and 30 acres of his own!

Now you’ve been introduced to Noel – if you see him, do give him a friendly wave.