It’s soaking wet weather now, but with spring hopefully on the way soon, Ramsden Farm educational access centre, above Walsden, has planned its diary for 2014.
The farm has links with organisations like the RSPB and Natural England, and events can be the basis for learning for childrren at key stages one to four levels.
This year, lambing time at Ramsden falls mainly within the Easter school holidays so things will be a little different, said Yvonne Howarth, of Ramsden Farm.
So the first event pencilled in is “A Working Day”, which will run from Monday, April 14, to Friday, April 25, when during the Easter holidays the farm will be running some “Lambing Live” days.
“Small groups can come along and be a shepherd for the day at one of the most exciting times in the shepherd’s calendar. These days will include feeding, watering and bedding the sheep. It may also include watching or assisting with births, marking and docking lambs and moving new lambs and their mothers to larger nursery pens. These will be very enjoyable days but be prepared to get dirty,” said Yvonne.
Next up is “Spring and New Life”, from Monday April 28, a week of events based around lambing when groups will visit the lambing shed and help with the routine tasks of feeding, bedding and watering. Schools who choose to come for the full day will then go on a short walk to the wetland area to do some pond dipping to find out what new life is appearing under the water.
Things then move to summer with “On Safari” from Monday, June 2, to Friday, June 13, which will feature Ramsden’s mini-beast safari days.
Groups will go on a nature walk in search of the smallest inhabitants of Ramsden Farm and it will include a visit to the ‘Bug Hotel’ which was constructed by a school group last year.
The day may also include pond dipping to find all the underwater residents.
During July Ramsden Farm will be running some nature walks around the site.
For more information about the events, contact Yvonne on 01706 813583.