PIP'S PAGE November 2007
Dear boys and girls, summer was a bit of a wet disappointment but we were still fairly busy at the farm. Jeff and Heather's stag has grown beautifully and was getting quite green all over before Autumn started. I helped Joy to move the hens up to the lower barn . They drive me mad as they get up to scratch for worms on the muck heap. They shouldn't be out in the morning before Joy, you never know when Mr Fox is about. I have also helped move all the sheep about separating the ewes from the rams we don't want any lambs being born until there is enough grass or else there is too much work.
We have a new morning helper on the farm. Victor has retired from Haslingden library and come to help with all the morning feeding and watering. He is a great he throws sticks and frisby lids all the time he is here which is great fun. I always do as I'm told for Victor. We have been so busy with visits and teachers courses / inset days I don't know how Joy would manage without him.
The evacuee visits are getting really popular, making porridge in the hay box, firelighters out of the newspapers and lighting an old world war 2 field kitchen stove is an amazing experience. I just watch of course as when primary school children come I have to stay in my run. Did you know some children have been frightened by naughty dogs who rush up to the children barking. Their owners must be really silly. Some owners are not sensible. We have a new farm friend, Bob. He has brought us 4,000 bees!
Did you know that bees are really clever? Well they can tell the different colours. Each hive has a different colour doorway and the bees only go into their own door not next door. Bob has brought us some bee ‘things' for the children to look at and handle. Joy is selling the honey at £4 a jar, Gill has been making the most amazing honey biscuits. Did you know Gill makes cakes to order fresh or for your freezer.
We have started a new morning session as a regular activity, Farmyard Baby Bounce, Rhyme and Story time at 10am each Wednesday. The top farmyards and Early years areas are open and the café which is selling refreshments made of fresh local food. Of course I can only watch but most of the children come and talk to me and give me a gentle stroke. The cost is £2.50 a child. We are going to carry this session on every Wednesday and the café will be open all day from 10am for Baby Bounce and Rhyme visitors and passing walkers.
Joy and Mac had a TRULY AMAZING DAY OUT IN LONDON!!! Joy was presented with a national farming award from Farming and Countryside Education and Bayer Crop Science. She did know she had been nominated but never thought for one minute that she would be a prize winner. She was so excited when she came home! What was really good was that she was given a super camera as a prize. She has tried to take photos of me but I do find it hard to sit still.! If you look on the FACE website www.face_online.org.uk there are lots of interesting educational activities and news of exciting learning projects that are happening around the country. Lots of new things are happening and being planned at the farm so please look at the events page. If you have any ideas why don't you share them with Joy we are always looking for new ways to enjoy our farm.
