Ruses Mill
Ruses Mill is a 23 acre smallholding near Launceston bought 20 years ago by Mike Prettejohn, while he was working for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Now retired and with more time to devote to the enterprise, Mike is developing the full potential of Ruses Mill.
“I used to keep cattle and sheep but now I am concentrating on the sheep. I am also planting a vineyard. Although this spot has turned out to be more of a frost pocket than I expected, I will be producing white wine and hope for a decent yield in a couple of years. I am also restoring the old mill complex with a view to generating ‘eco-friendly’ electricity and I plan to develop a holiday unit to encourage the ‘green’ concept.”
With these three development projects on the go, as well as the sheep to tend, Mike finds he constantly turns to the Internet for research and information.
“With broadband it is so much quicker and easier to research what agricultural products are available and to find out the background information I need to bring my ideas to fruition. For example, now I use the Internet to find out about polythene tunnels for the vineyard or turbines for the electricity generator.”
Mike is also positive about the promotional potential of the Internet. “Once the holiday unit is established, I intend to develop a website to help advertise it.”
“Broadband definitely saves me time. It makes it easier to find the information I need to make the right decisions. And because with broadband, the Internet is always on, I find I use the Internet and email more than I used to.”
“Initially, I got into broadband because of my son, who is an IT enthusiast, and has taught the subject both in this country and abroad. He has brought me up to speed and now I am used to living with the benefits of broadband, I really would not be without it.”
