The youngsters had a brilliant time collecting eggs from the hens and carrying them to be boxed at the farm’s shop. They also enjoyed feeding young goats and learned how to bottle-feed kids, and there were shrieks of delight as they climbed on board a trailer for a bumpy ride around the farm.

I just want to say an enormous ‘thank you’ for an incredible day out at Longdown Farm today.

The children were so excited to finally be allowed out of school after such a long time. Many of the them had never been to a farm before, and it was amazing to watch them holding the animals and feeding them.

Farmer Bryan was great at including each of the children as his assistant. They took their role as ‘the farmer’ very seriously – even the most shy children relished having the chance to give instructions to the rest of the group.

The bouncy tractor ride was a very noisy and exciting part of their day and I have the feeling they would still be going around the field if they were allowed to.

For one special little boy, what a way to spend his birthday – a day on the farm celebrating with his friends!

After being in lockdown, with all the restrictions, it felt so good to take the children out for the day. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this was the first day out of all the ones that we have missed, and that it won’t be another 18 months before we can take the children out again.

Liz Rawson-Jones, pastoral lead at Bethany School

Thank you to Farmer Bryan and everyone at Longdown Farm for a wonderful and exciting day out. The children loved it all. Thanks also to my committee members, Judy Hiscoke and Avril Owton, for helping on the day – your support is invaluable.

Frances Cornelius, Chair of Variety Wessex
Frances Cornelius, chair of Variety Wessex, centre, is pictured with committee members Judy Hiscoke, left, and Avril Owton, right.