Open Farm Sunday 12 June 2011
Wet for many but certainly not a washout!
Just days after drought was declared in Britain, after one of the driest springs on record the heavens opened, with some parts of the UK getting more than half an inch in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately, the rain came just a day too early for many farmers on Open Farm Sunday. So much hard work had gone into preparations for the day but farmers and the visitors across the country were not going to let a bit of rain spoil the day!
Thousands of people made it out on to farms on 12th June and had a very enjoyable day. All learning new things about food, farming and the countryside, reaching out to discover more about what farmers do. Much fun was to be had with tractor and trailer rides, farm walks and talks, demonstrations and activities for all the family.
Already we are getting some wonderful photographs for the photography competition and some great feedback through the online questionnaire and twitter! See a selection of the comments below.
Huge thanks from all the LEAF Team to every farmer who opened up on the day, the host of helpers and to the thousands of people who visited their local farm to support British farming.
Please let us have your feedback, photos and comments so we can ensure that we can continue to make the day a great success.
Read the Sharing Successes brochure
Read the full report here.
Feedback from 2011 visitors...
We visited Northfields Farm at Cold Overton and couldn't have asked for more! What a brilliant day out - the only downside was the weather. It rained! I'm putting it in the diary for next year.
What a wonderful event, I would recommend this to friends and family, and it is in my diary for next year. All the hosts at the farms were welcoming and informative, we were very fortunate to see twin calves being born on our visit to Standleys Barn Farm - super and well done to all involved!
Thoroughly enjoyable and educational for all the family. A special thank you to all at Green Drove Farm, Pewsey for being so welcoming and happy even at the end of a rain-soaked day!
We visited Rowley Farm in Wexham - it POURED with rain all day long but we had a fabulous day - the rain didn't dampen it at all! Huge thanks to the team there for making the day so enjoyable.
We had a great time at Sherbourne Farm and our 17 month old loved seeing all the animals. Even though it was raining the farm made us very welcome.
All the exhibitors were friendly and everyone did their displays in difficult conditions. Lots to see and do. The hot food was lovely and good clean toilets. Very well organised. Well done Trinley Estate, Androver.
The team at Adsdean Farm were very welcoming and patient with a group of small (cold and wet) children with little legs. We enjoyed a pleasant informative tour despite the weather and will probably be back to visit their farm shop.
On one farm (Ellis's Hill Farm) we particularly liked the diversification and the friendly nature of the host. The other we visited (Springalls Farm - Valley Produce), we were particularly impressed with the professionalism and the friendliness of the hosts.
We went to Peter Wastenage's farm. Severn acre farm which surrounds our village Bridford which was great to find how he runs things and give us a greater understanding. Thanks it was a great event!
Useful, understandable advice dotted throughout the farm. Knowledgeable people to talk to on hand. A very enjoyable couple of hours.
Excellent idea! Adsdean farm was a very good example of a well run farm. We were made very welcome and light refreshments were free. Learned a lot and would like to learn more.
Today I visited Whitehouse Farm Oxborough with my son and his wife and my little grandson. Although the weather was wet and windy we had an amazing time. Right from the 1st moment we arrived. We were greeted by the largest tortoise you have ever seen to charlie's delight and then on to sheep racing and shearing, Elsie the pig and her babies etc Followed by a lovely cream tea. The farmer and staff were wonderful and friendly.
Earth Trust in Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire is lovely.
Went to Burrow Farm and it was a really well organised day. Lots to do for the kids. We had a great time!!!
It was really great even though the weather was so awful - everyone was amazingly friendly and helpful, I learnt loads about our local farms, found out some more about things to do in the future, and had a great time with my toddler who won't stop talking about the cows!
My husband and I took our 4 year son to your Belmont Farm open day. He thoroughly enjoyed the tractor ride and being able to look at and go on the farm machinery (this made his day as he loves combine harvesters). He also sat and drew one with his dad. Despite the wet weather, we had a lovely time and so did our little boy. Many thanks.
The farm had made a real effort and despite the horrendous rain it was a great day. They made us feel very welcome.
Wonderful to visit a working farm so close to where we live.
Our thanks to Rupert, our guide, and all the team who made us feel welcome.
Despite appalling weather we turned up at Asdean Farm to a warm welcome. We had a very informative tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't believe there were no charges, even free refreshments. Shame the shop wasn't open!
It was almost like a scene from All creatures great and small all we needed was James Herriot to pop out of a barn and the scene would have been complete.
We can’t wait for the next time.
Despite the weather there was plenty to see and do. Lots to taste and buy a brilliant day. Learned a lot about animals that we never knew before.
A very well organised event despite the weather. An impressive farm and interested to see how a unit of this size operates.
The only down side if there is one is that this doesn't happen often enough MORE PLEASE.
Excellent planning - people involved are excellent. Lots of information given. Would have been good to have had an explanation leaflet to read when back home. Teas under cover would have been good as rain & wind quite chilly!
We went to Billow Farm today and it was really great despite the weather!
Foul weather but a great welcome when we visited Court Farm Llanthony today - and a really delicious burger!
Bohetherick Farm is run by a young very enthusiastic couple who gave us loads of information. We were lucky enough to see a heifer calf being born while we were there.
Great day despite the really crappy weather!
Despite the pouring rain, the event was still really good.
Tried visiting two farms; the first was Moor Farm in Morchard Bishop, but we couldn't find any signs and the sat nav couldn't find it either. The second farm we went to was West Town Farm in Ide. Superbly signed and very well organised.
Very important opportunity to learn about our agri-economy.
... More to follow soon!
Open Farm Sunday is managed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming)
024 7641 3911 annabel.shackleton@leafuk.org