Dates for 2012

Open Farm Sunday - Sunday 17th June
Shabden Farm Picnic - Saturday 25th August

For a few days of the year, we open the farm to the public. Our open days focus on events in the farming year and aim to provide an opportunity for visitors to experience first hand and learn more about farming activities and how they fit into our farming system and the industry at large. We hope that these events will help visitors to understand how our farming system allows us to manage the countryside for wildlife and how our farming and conservation activities are interlinked.
All open days open from 10am until 4pm.

Visitors are advised to bring wellies or boots to open days.     Sorry no dogs allowed.

For photos of previous farm open days, visit the Gallery.

Open Farm Sunday     Sunday 17th June 2012 

Introduction

Come and join Mark and Kirstie, Sam and Tui, and various family helpers, our Countryside Ranger Bob Crompton and Sophie from Surrey Wildlife Trust for a fun packed day at the Farm to celebrate Open Farm Sunday.
Meet the animals, go on a tractor ride, watch Farmer Mark shearing the sheep and working the sheep dogs, visit the Back to Nature Farm Shop, enjoy some local produce from the mini Shabden farmers' market and join Ranger Bob for a guided walk. Learn about bees with the Croydon Beekeepers, who will be showing their glass-sided observational beehive. There will also be sales goods, hot and cold refreshments and much more.

We are still lambing and you will be able to get close to the baby lambs and their mothers.
Our sows farrow regularly and you will be able to look in on the piglets and older pigs, as well as other farm animals.
Our chestnut Sussex cows are in the fields with their calves at foot, but you may see them if you go on a farm walk, along with the young rearing cattle.

Farm Walks

Admission & Refreshments

Competitions

Children's activities

The children's corner will keep kids busy with themed colouring and craft activities. Small children will be able to ride April, our Shetland pony, under supervision and advice. Parents can join in with their children's interest in the sheep shearing and working sheep dog demonstrations. If you come away knowing what the four basic commands for a sheep dog are, you

Farm Shop and Farmers' Market

The farm shop will be open all day selling our farm-reared lamb, beef and pork, as well as local chicken and free range eggs. Click here to visit the farm shop webpage. A mini version of Shabden Farmers' market, our monthly farmers' market held here on the farm will be here for you to buy local produce to take home or eat here.

Demonstrations

As well as the lambing shed to look at, Farmer Mark will be giving demonstrations of sheep shearing with modern and antique shearing equipment, and working sheep dog demonstrations. Find out what 'left' and 'right' are in sheep dog language, and see if you can command the dog to bring the sheep to you.
Mark will give sheep-shearing demonstrations every half an hour or so with modern day electrical shearing equipment and, to compare how technology has changed, with an antique hand-wound shearing machine. The handpiece is very heavy and has interchangeable cutters which must be kept sharp in order to shear the fleece in one go without pulling or getting stuck. Mark will demonstrate the special technique for holding the sheep and explain the process during which the fleece is shorn.

The Open Day will give visitors the chance to find out about wool processing and spinning. We are lucky to enjoy the company of the Epsom Spinners, who demonstrate hand spinning, carding, weaving and other wool processing techniques. The ladies also bring friendship bracelet kits, which are very popular, and some of their handicrafts for sale. Everyone has a chance to spin their own piece of wool to take home. The Epsom Spinners are a group of the East Surrey Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.

We are running this open day as part of the national Open Farm Sunday network of events. Click here for more information.