First lamb born at Sparsholt, another 765 due (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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First lamb born at Sparsholt, another 765 due
12:03pm Monday 14th January 2013 in Andover
Sparsholt Lambing Weekend takes place on 26 and 27 January.
ONLY 14 days into the New Year and the first of Sparsholt College’s lambs has arrived! Shepherd John Garrett welcomed the new arrival on Saturday evening and he alongside a team of agriculture students are busy awaiting the rush of remaining arrivals which are scheduled for the College’s annual Lambing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 January 2013. The College’s big barn doors will be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm for visitors to enjoy first hand and at close quarters the 400 ewes lambing. 766 lambs are due in total comprising of 84 sets of triplets, 218 sets of twins and 78 singles.
For many, the Lambing Weekend is the first and perhaps only time they get to see an actual live birth and as Shepherd John Garrett says : “We regularly have visitors who come back year on year as there aren’t many opportunities for the general public to get this close to nature. It is fascinating and a privilege to watch any animals being born and we welcome the opportunity to share this experience widely.”
To ensure that everyone gets a good view, there will be pen-side walkways and a large video screen. In addition to welcoming the lambs there will also be the opportunity to Hug a Husky, watch milking, dog agility display and Farrier demonstrations, meet the College horses and donkeys. Face painting, craft activities and exploring tractors and farm machinery will also be available to keep children entertained. Local crafts will be on sale and refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day. Open from 9.30am – 3.30pm, admission is £5.00 per adult and £3.50 per child (age 3 to 16), under 3’s are free. Two adults and two children (age 3 to 16) can purchase a family ticket for £15.00.
Sparsholt College is perfectly safe for children and adults to visit, however we do advise that all visitors thoroughly wash their hands after touching any animals or areas where animals live in accordance with the instructions at the farm. The College will provide plentiful hand washing facilities for all visitors.
HEALTH WARNING: It is vitally important that pregnant women should NOT attend this event. With lambing flocks there is always a risk of a disease presence which can cause miscarriage in women.
