Garden and Green

 6 March 2008

Soil Association Organic Network Farms around the country will be playing host to a variety of events this month to celebrate Easter and welcome the start of spring. There will be organic Easter egg hunts, farm walks and tours, and ample opportunities to see lambs a springing in the fields - and even learn about lambing firsthand. There over 100 farms in the organic network.

Patrick Holden, Soil Association director, said:
“This is a fun way for you and your family to feel reconnected with your food and the local countryside where it comes from. Teaching children about the seasons and where their food is grown will give more meaning to mealtimes."

Top five reasons to visit an organic farm this Easter:
1. Great value for money - Have a fun and inexpensive day out with your children.
2. Reconnect with your local landscape and support British farmers.
3. Help teach your children where their food comes from.
4. Pick up some tasty local and organic produce.
5. Stretch your legs in beautiful organic countryside.

Here are a few events taking place;

Bore Place
Commonwork at Bore Place, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AR
Spring Open Day
29 March, 11am - 3pm. £6 adults, £3 children
This open day will focus on food and climate change and include hands-on activities. Refreshments and lunch (local, organic, and fairly traded) will be available to buy on both days.
For more information and to book your place contact Lyn Kelly on LynK@commonwork.org / 01732 463255.

Densholme Farm
Great Hatfield, Hull, East Yorkshire HU11 4UR
Hornsea 1/3 Marathon and Fun Run
30 March
The farm is playing host to these races, which will make use of roads around the farm and a disused rail line near the farm. Refreshments will be available from 9:30am and there will be a barbeque after the races.
For more information and to book your place contact Denys Fell on denys_fell@wcg.org.uk / 01964 535315.

Hindon Farm
Hindon Farm, Bratton, near Minehead, Somerset TA24 8SH
* Easter Farm Shop and Walk
22 March, shop open 10am - 12pm
Visit the farm to see piglets, primroses and the lambs in the fields
Those planning to attend should contact Penny Webber on info@hindonfarm.co.uk / 01643 705244 to book and to check for any last minute changes in the event of bad weather.

Lower Roundhurst Farm
Tennysons Lane, Roundhurst, Haslemere, West Sussex GU27 3BN
* Easter Egg Hunt
22 March, during shop opening hours, 9am - 5pm, £2 per child
Find the colourful characters hiding in the farmyard and win some chocolate Easter eggs. Stay for afternoon tea and indulgent homemade chocolate cake. Booking not required.
For more information contact the farm on 01428 656 455 or visit the website as above.
Lambing Tuition Day
29 March, 9am - 1pm and 12pm - 4pm (both groups for lunch at 12 - 1pm), £10
Come along and be a farmer for the day and enjoy hands-on experience with the newborn lambs. Learn all about lambing, care of ewes and lambs, lambing techniques, identification and more. Price includes a picnic lunch. Ages 12 and over only; not suitable for pregnant women.
Booking essential - book through the farm office on 01428 656 455.

Pink Pig Organics
Holme Hall, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire DN16 3RE
* ‘Hunt the Rabbits’
21, 22, 23 March, 10am – 4pm, £3 entry (Pink Pig Adventure ticket), free for children under 24 months.
Find all the rabbits and win a chocolate egg. There will also be a competition to name the brand new Lincolnshire Curly Coated pigs.
For more information contact the farm on 01724 844466.

Rushall Farm
Scratchface Lane, Bradfield, Berkshire RG7 6DL
Lambing Weekend
15 and 16 March.
For more information contact the farm on jst@rushallfarm.org.uk / 0118 974 4547.

Sedlescombe Vineyard
Cripp's Corner, Sedlescombe, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5SA
Vineyard and Woodland Nature Trail and Wine Tasting
21 March, 10am - 6pm
Visit the vineyard as it reopens on the first day of spring, just in time for Easter. The Bluebell Walk may also be open in time for Easter, depending on conditions.
For more information contact the vineyard on 01580 830715 or visit the website.

Sheepdrove Organic Farm
Lambourn, Berkshire RG17 7UU
Sheepdrove Lambing Day
16 March, 11am – 4pm, free entry, parking £2
As winter slowly draws to a close and the days gradually lengthen, lambing season arrives at Sheepdrove. Enjoy a hog roast, farm tours, bar, butchery demonstrations, local craftspeople, books and gifts, farm walks and much more.
* Easter Sunday Lunch and Egg Treasure Hunt
23 March, from 11am, £32.00 per adult, £10 children ten and under
Start the day with an Easter egg hunt, exploring the physic garden, eco conference centre and grounds, then relax and enjoy a delicious three-course organic carvery lunch. Easter egg hunt from 11am, lunch served from 12.30 - 2pm.
Booking essential, please contact Kate Davidson myevents@sheepdrove.com / 01488 674737

Ashlyn's Organic Farm
Ashlyns Lane, Bobbingworth, Ongar, Essex CM5 0ND
* Easter Egg Hunt
21 March
Ashlyn’s annual Easter egg hunt, plus other Easter activities. There will be a full scale farmers’ market and lots of attractions including tractor rides, bouncy castle, animals, and loads of tasty Easter goodies to indulge in.
For more information contact the farm on 01992 525146, or visit the website as above.

Church Farm
Church Lane, Thurstaston, Wirral CH61 0HW
* Easter Egg Hunt
22, 23, 24 March, 11am - 5pm, £7
Visit the farm and take part in an Easter egg hunt and other Easter activities, plus meet the Easter bunny and newborn chicks. Ticket includes tractor ride, forest hunt and prize for children. Also includes access to farm park activities including adventure playground, pedal go-karts and animal trail.
All tickets must be pre-booked and are available from the farm shop or by calling 0151 648 7838

For more information on the Soil Association, which is a members promoting organic food and farming you can visit their site here.