The sun shone, and the smiles beamed at the annual spring family farm day held at Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural campus.
The occasion saw around 3000 visitors attend an event that gave them the chance to peek behind the curtain of a working farm.
In addition to seeing around 100 newborn lambs, guests also got the chance to take part in sporting activities, experience free facepainting and have tours of the equine yard.
This year, the newly revamped animal centre was open, offering those who came along the opportunity to see animals such as capybaras and meerkats.
One of the stars of the show was a baby lamb called Tiny Tim. The twin was the younger sibling of another lamb who took lots of nutrients from his mum, leaving Tiny quite small – but he is doing well and was a hit with everyone.
Toby Greenhalgh is the Farm Manager at Suffolk Rural. Toby said: “It’s a great chance for everyone of any age to see what goes on here. The idea is to put the seed into people’s minds that agriculture could be a career for them and that farming is for everyone. It’s also a free family fun day, so it’s nice to give something back to the community.”
Organiser, Charlotte Rossiter said, “The feedback we had has been fantastic. Thanks to all our visitors, staff and students for coming together to create a fantastic day. I guess you could say it was lambtastic.”
Local businesses, including Nicky’s Bespoke Gifts, The Cheese and Pie Man, M & M Sweet Treats, East Coast Pizza and Molly Moo’s Ices, also had the chance to sell their wares.
Another attendee was Amy Welsh from Really Awesome Coffee, who is based in Ipswich. Amy is a former student of the college who was on an animal studies course back in 2003. She said: “It was very well organised and a nice set up. It gives children a chance to see what they can do in the future.”
Annabel Duncan from Martlesham came along with her family. She said, “It’s a special time of year to come and see the lambs. This is the third year in a row (that we have attended), and it’s amazing what the college is doing (by hosting this free spring family farm day).”
The Driver family also came along from Bungay. Four-year-old Freya Driver was asked to describe the day in one word. She said: It was ‘fun’.
