Farm Project Open Day 2011

Wet weather did not dampen the spirits of those at the Fairfield Farm Project Open Day on the 25th June.

There was a lot to see and do – something for everyone.

Whilst the children and adults who access Fairfield’s, residential, respite, education and outreach services regularly benefit from the facilities at Higher Thorns Green farm, it was lovely that their families, siblings and friends came along to take part in the activities and share the fun and see the fruits of the children’s hard work, all the raised fruit and veg beds are bursting with healthy home grown produce. Paul Barker, Fairfield’s Skills Tutor, refurbished ‘Burt’ the scarecrow, ready for his summer duties.

In the stables a chance to meet the two donkeys with their new born foals or meet up with ‘Matilda’ the new Jersey cow and her calf ‘Summer’, thanks to a grant through Natural England, Fairfield Farm Project has received funding for a small mobile milking machine, allowing children to experience milking ‘Matilda’ whilst learning where their food comes from.

Thanks to John and Alison Erlam for the loan of two little lambs that children thoroughly enjoyed bottle feeding.

Munchkin, the stunningly beautiful barn owl with its heart shaped face, gathered many admirers and his handler Jane from ‘Out of the Ark’ answered many questions on barn owls in particular. The wriggling ferrets were anxious to get out of their cages and to take part in the ferret racing which was highly entertaining.

‘Oops A Daisy’ Circus Skills demonstrated juggling and children and adults all had a go, with varying degrees of success. Sarah Erlam supplied beautiful hand decorated cup cakes, complete with sparkles and bows.

In the farm courtyard bee hives were seen being constructed and the beeman found himself bombarded with questions. Fairfield’s and Hale Civic Society are in partnership in the Bee Project which is an exciting initiative allowing both young and old to learn and experience bee keeping and the thrill of harvesting fresh honey.

At 3 o’clock there was great excitement when Mark Wilkinson, a mobile sheep shearer arrived to shear the four sheep in residence. Everyone gathered round to see the expertise of the sheep shearer and was amazed at the skill, the technique and timings to take a complete fleece off an animal. There are now plans to invite a weaver to demonstrate cleaning, dying and weaving the fleeces, culminating in the making of a Fairfield woolly jumper!