Meet The Team: Clem Ransford
Last week you got to know our wonderful Duchess of Sterling, Amanda.
This week, we’re introducing you to another face which is likely to be very familiar to you already...
Introducing, Hiho's fabulous Queen of the Road, Clem Ransford!
Just like our King of the Road, we're pretty sure you'll recognised our gorgeous Queen of the Road too!
Working under Show's Operations, Clem is a familiar face at events up and down the country. Alongside Andrew (King of the Road and Clem's husband!), Clem is there for every part of life on the show circuit.
From setting up the stand, to welcoming customers, and helping you find the pieces you'll treasure for years to come, we're sure Clem has helped many of you over the years.
Life on the road takes stamina, good humour, and no small amount of adaptability - all of which Clem brings in abundance!
When the show day is done, Clem often turns her hand to feeding the team, cooking homely and nourishing food from the compact quarters of Morag, Hiho's much loved horse lorry. We've heard she makes a phenomenal venison lasagne and has perfected air-fryer sourdough - what a combo!
Practical and endlessly capable, Clem makes sure everything runs smoothly
and that life on the road feels a little more like home 💜.
So have a read, and get to know our very important Queen of the Road xx
GET TO KNOW CLEM...
Clem, please tell us what your role is at Hiho and how long you have worked of us?
During the show season I work on the stand selling jewellery alongside keeping the team fed, watered and functioning during long days i.e spotting when someone is about to faint from hunger!! I make sure everybody eats healthy meals with lots of seeds, kefir, yoghurt, homemade sourdough and fresh veg as opposed to Percy Pigs and Tangfastics!! Some would call it nagging!
I have been married to Andrew for nigh on 30 years so I have helped at the shows on and off since day one with and without our two boys.
Where in the UK are you based and what do you love most about living there?
Having lived in the South West for all my married life, we now spend some time each winter in the Southern French Alps.
What part of your work do you enjoy most day to day?
Meeting and chatting to our lovely customers during the summer months. Reconnecting with repeat customers and also our 'shows family' who we see week on week during the different events over the summer and then not at all over the winter. It's so fun hearing what everyone has been up to.
What is your go to piece of Hiho for any occasion?
For our silver wedding anniversary several years ago, I was totally spoiled and Andrew gave me a Solid Gold Cherry Roller Bangle with silver beads.
To say I love it is an understatement!
What does a perfect Sunday in the countryside look like to you?
My perfect Sunday in the countryside would ideally include a leisurely breakfast outside in the sunshine and a read of the newspapers followed by a good long walk with the dogs and a late roast lunch or Ottolenghi style feast with good friends or family.
What's one countryside tradition that you love and would never give up?
Before moving to France I loved the traditional English pastime of enjoying the countryside on horseback but since moving, Andrew and I have turned to a dangerous pastime of hunting for funghi! So far we have found 72 deadly or not recommended varieties and about 4 edible so the reward is truly relished when you do get to eat an edible mushroom like a blewit or a cep. Whether mushrooms in autumn, sloes or wild damsons for gin, berries and fir cones for Christmas decorations, crabapples for chilli jelly, I just love making things from anything I’ve found.
The tradition of just having the time to observe what is going on around you...birds, birdsong, trees and flowers, animals and their tracks etc. is pretty cool.
You're in a bakery, they have every single yummy item you could dream of - what are you choosing?
A properly delicious homemade Bakewell tart with very short buttery pastry, homemade raspberry jam and delicious almonds.
Heaven!!
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
Wellies, Walking Boots or Riding Boots?
Used to be riding boots, now swapped for walking boots.
Used to be riding boots, now swapped for walking boots.
Never have to do gardening/yard chores again or never have to clean the house again?
Bizarrely, I like doing all of them as long as it’s not raining or freezing cold.
Bizarrely, I like doing all of them as long as it’s not raining or freezing cold.
Spontaneous plans or well-worn routines?
Both...I love routines with a bit of spontaneity thrown in occasionally...
Both...I love routines with a bit of spontaneity thrown in occasionally...
not good on surprises though.
Early starts or slow evenings?
All jobs to be done first thing to allow for a slow evening.
All jobs to be done first thing to allow for a slow evening.
Horses or dogs?
Always dogs xxxx. Even though I love horses.
Always dogs xxxx. Even though I love horses.
Thank you so much Clem!
We hope you all enjoyed getting to know our wonderful Queen of the Road.
We hope you all enjoyed getting to know our wonderful Queen of the Road.
We can't wait to see you next week where we'll
be introducing you to the newest member of our team!
See you then
Team Hiho xx
See you then
Team Hiho xx
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