The cool bag has been on its travels again this time off the beaten track that is the coast road from Ulverston to Barrow. For foodies who also have a penchant for breathtaking sea views, The Farm Shop Baycliffe is a slice of paradise, only a hop, skip and a jump from the A5087.

Helen and Martin Barlow were years ahead of their time when they opened their farm shop some 15 years ago. Indeed, it's perhaps not widely known that other local food emporiums owe their start-up advice to the Barlows.

However, had it not been for a thought-provoking passing comment, Helen and Martin could so easily have built a potato store and not an award-winning farm shop.

The outlet fronts Goadsbarrow Farm, which has been in Helen's family for generations. She and new husband Martin took it on following her father's death.

Although a builder by trade, Martin soon found himself tending a small herd of beef cattle and helping run Goadsbarrow's thriving market garden business with Helen, who bid adieu to her career as a bank clerk.

Multi-skilling was about to become something of a habit.

The market garden and new nursery blossomed. As well as small-scale deliveries, people also called regularly at the farm to buy produce direct. It seemed the Barlows' green fingers were working magic on the business itself, as well as on the ground. So much so that when Martin was spotted doing some building work, a customer asked whether he was constructing a farm shop. It was supposed to be a new potato store but the customer's comments set the Barlows thinking - especially as, at that time, there was only one other farm shop in the area, Airey's at High Newton.

Helen and Martin's carefully considered train of thought led to the opening of The Farm Shop Baycliffe, initially with their own beef, lamb and veg on sale. However, despite every effort to clean hands soiled by horticultural labours, they started to clash with the pristine counterparts required for selling food. The couple agreed that someone else would have to do the dirty work so they could concentrate on the shop.

The Barlows also decided to sell the animals - customers will only queue for so long while you nip off to locate beasts suffering from wanderlust!

"There was a conflict," mused Helen, whose husband had by now added butcher' to his curriculum vitae. Baker' seemed a natural progression (no doubt candlestick-maker, if necessary). As for Helen - She was busy looking after the books (a former bank clerk and all), doing deliveries, baking, helping out on the butchery side as and when required, and looking after two young children.

Since the sale of their own animals, beef and lamb have been bought direct from local farmers and pork sourced via Ulverston auction mart.

The pies were a natural off-shoot of the butchery business making the most of all that quality meat. And as they were making pies, it made sense to add bread and cakes to the menu, not to mention mouth-watering gateaux. (After some enterprising marketing on Helen's part, hotels and restaurants became regular clientele, the puddings proving a favourite among hard-working chefs).

Had they been on the coast road proper, rather than a few feet from it, the Barlows would probably never have considered expansion. But they wanted to spread the word and spread it wide.

Now, as well as an outlet selling farm shop pies, cakes and pastries and takeaway goods on Walney Island and a similar outlet in Ulverston market hall, The Farm Shop Baycliffe produce can also be found in Barrow's indoor market (next door to a 28-seater caf) and, following its grand opening a few weeks ago, at Portland Walk, also in Barrow, a butchers, bakery, hot and cold takeaway and no-smoking 60-seater caf.

The farm shop is also prospering thanks to a popular outside catering business (from pie and peas to cocktail nibbles and quiches), and a celebration and novelty cake enterprise.

Which explains why from a two-man band 15 years ago, the farm shop team has grown to 36 full and part-time staff.

"We have made the most of opportunities," said Helen who takes pride in her hands-on approach to the business. And rightly so! Like Martin she works a seven-day-week although there's always a much appreciated lull in the aftermath of the festive season which will see the Barlows manning the helm for a mere six days.

Yet, despite their hectic lives, Helen and Martin always sit down on a Sunday evening with their 14-year-old daughter Nicola and seven-year-old son Daniel to enjoy a family dinner.

"No television, just some music in the background, and a chance to have a chat," said Helen, who takes time to talk to customers too some recipe advice here and there, guidance on cooking for those in a hurry or people with time to spare.

"I enjoy cooking," commented Helen, and she loves sharing that enjoyment.

Helen says she and Martin never really had a plan'. "Although we obviously weighed everything up before we went ahead," she added.

They have taken a few gambles, but even they had to be "exact and precise" as Helen puts it.

Which is probably why their diversification earned the Barlows a British Meat and Livestock Commission award a few years ago.

The couple intend to continue innovating chicken dreamboats', home-cured bacon and own-make black pudding the latest delicacies in The Farm Shop Baycliffe repertoire.

To sample the rest, take your cool bag to Baycliffe from Tuesday to Friday 8am-3pm; and Saturday, from 8am-2pm. Or, phone 01229-869257 for information about the outside catering and celebration cake services.

January 9, 2003 10:30