AROUND 4,000 people basked in the spring sunshine for the first of Wiltshire College & University Centre’s annual lambing weekends.
Their visit was made worthwhile as they saw 462 lambs born at the college’s farm at the Lackham campus on Saturday and Sunday.
“We had a great two days and it was lovely to see so many families coming in,” said Executive Director Chris Thompson. “The sunny weather really helped, especially on Sunday, which was really busy.”
He said one new attraction was the chance for youngsters to clamber over the college’s tractors, which were lined up for them to get a close look. “We had a dozen tractors out and the children loved being able to get up behind the wheel and have their picture taken,” he said.
Students studying animal care, land based engineering and agriculture gave up their weekends to show off some of the college’s animals. There were busy queues to see guinea pigs, rabbits, donkeys and goats being fed and taken for walks.
“The students all worked hard to make the guests feel welcome and the animals were a hit, as always,” said Mr Thompson.
A bird of prey demonstration and talk was also popular.
Visitors had a chance to see the college’s fully automated dairy, where its herd of 80 cows are milked, fed and cleaned up after by robots, and stock up their freezers at the Lackham Meat stall, which did a brisk trade in beef and lamb reared on the estate.
In addition there were market stalls, a hog roast and refreshments, a picnic area as well as colouring and activity sheets, mini fairground rides, pedal tractor rides and den making.
Among the visitors was Jenny who said: “We would like to say congratulations on a great event, this was our first visit and we had a wonderful day, we like to say thank you to everyone involved.”
Neve and her partner said they enjoyed their visit. “It was lovely to interact with all the animals,” she said.
Samuel said he and his family were interested in seeing how the farm works. “A great day out with the family, lovely to see the animals and the work that goes behind it,” he said, “The event staff were helpful and informative.”
“Everything went really well and everyone looked to be having a good time,” said Mr Thompson. “Thanks to everyone who came, and to all the staff, students and exhibitors who worked so hard to make the weekend such a success.”
The college expects more than 1,200 lambs to be born to its flock of 780 ewes this season. “Hopefully they’ll be plenty more arriving next weekend for people to see when we are open again,” said Mr Thompson.
Tickets are on sale for next weekend’s lambing days (March 22 and 23). A family day ticket for up to five people is £40, individual tickets are £13.50 for adults and £9 for children over three. Children under three and carers get in free. Tickets are available via our website.
