Wonderful Weather for Open Farm Sunday

This week's guest blog is from Sofi Lloyd our Open Farm Sunday Coordinator

 

The glorious weather deserves some of the thanks for the making of a great Open Farm Sunday event on the 8^th June. The sun shone on about 400 visitors to the 9^th annual national LEAF coordinated event.




Visitors enjoying the sunshine

Waiting for trailer rides



At the Allerton Project Farm this year there was so much for our visitors to see, that many were still there when packing away began.

Plenty of attractions for our visitors

 

Richard and Geoff Wright ran the very popular tractor & trailer rides around Loddington, taking in the beautiful SSSI woodlands called the Reddish’s.





Richard and Michael part of the 'tractor and trailer team'

...and they're off...

The gorgeous South Devon calf and his mum joined 3 breeds of sheep including the local and rare Leicester Longwools, Saddleback pigs, chickens, a Shetland pony and Apollo and Mortimer the alpaca’s in the “meet the farm animals” area which proved a big hit with all the visitors.

South Devon's

An array of animals

Saddlebacks 'home sweet home'

Aplaca



Jasper and Hattie 'lapping it up'

Jasper and Hattie the border collies posed for countless photographs and lapped up all the strokes and pats.
 

The CR9080 Combine Harvester was the star of the 5 piece farm machinery show and everyone became a farming expert by the end of the day.



The machinery gang

Big bright combine harvester

Our local fire brigade were on hand, so health and safety and rural driving issues were covered.

The fire brigade were a star attraction

Member of Loddington WI and the 'Bee Aware' team

The super-organised WI team kept all well fed and watered, including more cake than I have ever seen in my life (Mmmmm those scones). The Bee aware team were inspiring all to help to protect our charismatic pollinators and raised the profile of the recent 'Great Food Debate'. 

 





Richard and Chris discuss Kelloggs mini-fields

Richard from Kelloggs explained the fascinating processes which go into delivering our favourite breakfast cereals from plant to plate. 



Local produce for sale with Katy and James

And if that wasn’t enough, visitors could take home as a momento, anything from a beautiful original local painting to a pair of Joules wellies, local honey and eggs, a locally handmade bird-box or garden planter or a Loddington-grown plant for their garden to remember their day. Phew! Thanks so much to all who supported the event, exhibitors, helpers and of course visitors. We can’t wait for next year, the sunshine is already on order.

 

Sofi Lloyd and Chris Stoate

Thanks to all the team from the project, the village and our local farmers. See you next year on the 7th June 2015

 

Sofi