A TRADITION going back to farmer Rob Taverner's great-grandfather has been revived and developed for the brave new world of farm diversification, with the opening of the Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour at Kennford, writes Lindsey Sill. The parlour at Taverner's Farm was opened on Wednesday by broadcaster Judy Spiers, with champagne and, of course, plenty of ice cream. For Rob and Helen Taverner, (pictured) fourth generation farmers, the event was the culmination of three years' hard work. Ice cream parlours are a popular feature of farms up north and Mr Taverner is hoping the idea will work in Devon. They make the organic ice cream and, incredibly, developed all 18 flavours themselves. Ex-nurse Mrs Taverner said: 'We have just made so much ice cream, eaten so much ice cream, gone on ice cream courses and tested and listened.' She admitted they hadn't finished making the batch for the opening until 11pm on Monday. South Devons are predominantly farmed for meat. By deciding to milk their herd, they were reviving a tradition of Mr Taverner's great-grandfather, who farmed the same land. Visitors can watch the cows being milked from a large viewing platform inside the 100-seat parlour, while enjoying eating a scoop of Simply South Devon, Cathedral Crunch and Chocolate Orange Elephant. The South Devons also provided the idea for their brand name. Addressing a cheerful crowd of guests in the sunshine, Mr Taverner said: 'They're big, they're orange and if you look carefully, they have long faces.' The barn was renovated with a 45 per cent grant from the Rural Enterprise Scheme. Although reluctant to discuss figures, Mr Taverner said he hoped to lure the 15,000 who visit the farm shop each year into the ice cream parlour and has plans to double that figure next year. John Sheaves, from Taste of the West – which advises farmers on diversification – said he was extremely impressed by what he had seen. 'It is fabulous. It is clean, it has a professional look about it which is going to appeal to the consumer. The days of spit and sawdust farmhouse shops is over,' he said.