FATHER’S DAY
As Father’s Day approaches, we celebrate creative collaborations between dads and their children
Father and son agree about the value of discussing ideas, made all the easier because they know each other so well
The oil producers
The Mack family have been farming the rich soil of the Yare Valley near the Norfolk Broads since the 1900s. The 800-acre farm is now in the hands of Tim and his son Will, who have made their rapeseed crop the star of the show by cold-pressing it into nutritious and delicious oils, dressings and infusions. “We considered how we could make the most of everything we had here and not rely wholly on selling crops,” says Will, who has relished the opportunity to learn from his dad. Both father and son agree about the value of discussing ideas, made all the easier because they know each other so well. The Macks sell their rapeseed oil online and through their farm shop, alongside local eggs, milk, cheese and beef from their own cows.yarevalley.com
The ceramicists
Fifteen years ago, Cornishware pottery was struggling to stay afloat. The iconic British brand, with its boldly coloured stripes, caught the imagination of businessman Charles Rickards, who raised enough investment to save the company. His dedication extended further than finance. Installing a kiln on the family farm and converting barns to potting, painting and packing stations, he gradually moved the production process back to Britain from its temporary home in China. Rebecca, his daughter, grew up immersed in the family firm, helping to unload the kilns with her four siblings. “We always thought it was normal to spend Sunday mornings surrounded by pottery,” she says. Rebecca studied graphic design and joined the business three years ago as brand and marketing director. “I can’t think what life would be like without Cornishware,” she says. “I hope it stays in the family for generations to come,” Charles adds. cornishware.co.uk
The bakers
Kitty was 14 when she slid into depression. Her parents encouraged her to paint or go for walks, but she still felt low. One day, her dad Al suggested she help him bake a loaf of bread. “I could feel the dough breathe beneath my fingers,” she says, recalling the day in 2018 that would change her life. “It was alive, it needed me, it gave me a sense of purpose.” The pair went on to bake more together and opened a tiny shop in Watlington, developing a bond. “We became really close,” Kitty adds. “Before, we had a fatherchild relationship; we then became friends and business partners.” They valued each other’s skills: “Dad was better at the bigger picture; I was good at sorting things out on the spot.” Kitty, now 19, has recently taken on the bakery herself, but da
