National charity the Countryside Restoration Trust (CRT) will open its farm gates to families next month for the first Wildlife, Food and Farming open day.
The ‘children go free’ event will be held at the CRT’s flagship farm, Lark Rise, Barton, on Saturday, July 17 from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
The day aims to offer the local community an opportunity to reconnect with nature and understand exactly where their food comes from but will also include family activities to make learning fun.
Visitors will be able to learn about insects and birds in the farm’s wildflower meadow patch.
Head wildlife monitor Dr. Vince Lea, and Lark Rise farmer Tim Scott will explain how the farm supports biodiversity as well as explaining how families can make their own ‘wildlife hub’ at home.
Guests will also be encouraged to enter their furry companions in the Family Dog Show, with nine classes including the ‘waggiest tail’, ‘best trick’, and ‘the dog the judges would most like to take home’.
In 2018, Lark Rise Farm hosted the 40th National Hedge Laying Championship. 100 competitors laid over 1km of hedges in just 5 hours.
Visitors will be able to take a trailer ride around the fields to see the variety of different styles of beautifully laid hedges and how much they have grown in just under a year.
All money raised will go towards the CRT’s aim of protecting a living, working countryside. Local food and refreshments will be available to purchase on the day, and free parking will be offered on site.
The CRT was founded in 1993, when a 40ac field was bought at Barton, Cambridgeshire. Since then, the charity has acquired, through purchase or gift, 10 properties in different parts of England.
These total almost 1,500ac and include arable and livestock farming, smallholding, woodland and orchard.
More information about the open day can be found on the charity’s website.
