The storm certainly didn’t dim anyone’s festive spirits at Close Leece Farm’s Christmas event.

Despite gales, torrential rain and trees falling on roads nearby, the new farm shop, due to open officially on the Patrick Road in February, was crowded and visitors were warmed by logs burning in the large stove and hot drinks and cake served by Flo the Coffee Van.

There was a range of stalls to browse from local producers and crafters on both Saturday and Sunday.

Close Leece Farm was offering its range of bacon, sausages, chorizo and salami, made from pork from the rare breed Tamworth pigs the farm rears.

Its products have won numerous UK Great Taste awards, including a Gold award for its chorizo.

If that isn’t hot enough for you there is now a ’thermonuclear’ version, definitely designed to heat you up on a cold day.

Tracey and Steven Ridgway who run the farm and make all the products there themselves, are now also offering a Loaghtan lamb salami, the first one ever they think. It’s tasty, too.

There were also eggs from their flock of hens and cheese and goats’ milk soap from their Golden Guernsey goats.

Other products on offer included the wide range of preserves from Staarvey Farm; mistletoe, apples and walnuts from Ballabrooie Farm, in Patrick; Loaghtan wool, knitting kits and scarves from Jenny Shepherd’s large flock of Loaghtan sheep just a bit further down the Patrick road; and a range of artisan craft products including children’s clothes, Manx-themed cards and wrapping paper, and jewellery.