The sun shone for Merrist Wood College and University Centre’s ‘Fleecy Frolics’ lambing event this weekend.
Fleecy Frolics is Merrist Wood College and University Centre’s annual public lambing event and a celebration of nature and countryside crafts.
The event drew over 3,000 members of the community to the 400-acre site in Worplesdon across the weekend, who all came to see this season’s new additions at the college’s farm and enjoy a fun family day out. Ticket holders across the two-day event enjoyed the many family activities on offer.
In our lambing yard, guests witnessed sheep shearing demonstrations and got to stroke the other various farm animals on show, such as goats, cows and alpaca – who were all very happy to be greeted if there was a handful of feed in it for them!
Our youngest visitors also had the chance to hold recently hatched fluffy Silver Dorking chicks, a local rare breed of chicken. This year’s lambing season has produced over 100 lambs to date, including a rare set of quads.
As well as plentiful amounts of vendors selling a vast array of local artisan products and produce, this year’s visitors were able to experience a range of activities such as archery, tree climbing, face painting, pony rides, countryside craft activities and tractor trailer rides, to name just a few.
Local contemporary choir Motivation by Music also performed various fantastic sets across the site on Saturday afternoon, keeping visitors entertained with their uplifting singing.
Visitors could also interact with some of the college’s other residents in the Animal Management Centre, including rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, geckos, hedgehogs, fancy mice, stick insects and giant African snails – as well as touring the tropical and desert biomes within the centre where the unit’s giant tortoises, tropical birds and marmosets, to name just a few, were on display.
Joanne Manser, Director of Merrist Wood College and University Centre, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed visitors to our site for this always enjoyable family event. Fleecy Frolics not only showcases the excellence of our college but also provides invaluable experience for our dedicated student helpers, who continuously uphold the college’s reputation.
“A tremendous amount of effort goes on behind the scenes to make this event possible, and I extend my sincere thanks to our incredible team at Merrist Wood for their hard work in creating such a wonderful weekend.
“Merrist Wood College and University Centre plays a vital role in our local community, and we are thrilled to open our doors to the public, allowing them to discover the array of amazing opportunities we offer here.”
Find out more about courses available at Merrist Wood College and University Centre here or contact Activate Learning on 0800 612 6008.
For a few more images of the event, see below:
