Crowds flock to Salvation Army at Hadleigh for Open Farm Sunday

More than 1500 people had the chance to learn about life on The Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Farm Estate as part of Open Farm Sunday recently.

The church and charity has taken part in the national event since 2018 and organisers said they believed this year was the busiest yet. Open Farm Sunday sees farms across the country open their gates so the public has an opportunity to learn about farming and the countryside

Visitors had the chance to handle small animals including guinea pigs and hedgehogs who live at the Rare Breeds Centre and take part in craft activities such as making egg box seed pots and drawing pictures of tractors throughout the day. There were also tractors on display. Visitors were also able to watch sheep shearer Michael Hull on site working hard to get 45 ewes with 45 lambs shorn ready for summer.

For the first time, the day also included a blessing by Captain Wendy Watkins, Hadleigh Farm Chaplain.

Gemma Knott, Rare Breeds Centre Manager, said the day was a great success.

She said: “This event allows everyone from the local community and further afield to come along and learn about daily life on working farm which is also an open public farm. The day saw a lot of people who had travelled out of London to visit too. It was lovely to see our site minister ask for God’s blessing on all our animals and the team of people that look after them.”

The Salvation Army Rare Breeds Centre is open from 10am to 5pm every day until the end of October.