New for 2011 Camping and caravans welcome. Pond dipping for groups of children under the age of 13. Validated as a Children's University destination for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Alteration to opening hours this month The Farm Shop will be open on each Sunday in December, and at all other times by appointment, so please call John on 07966 460312 to check our stock levels and to ensure he can open up just for you. With farmers' markets on Saturdays, it is always best if you give us a call to see whether the farm shop will be open. COME AND SEE US AT THE FARMERS MARKETS IN DECEMBER 2011 Stone - 4th December Harper Adams, Newport - 5th December Stafford - 10th December Market Drayton - 11th December GREAT EXCITEMENT - COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE AWARD NOMINATIONS We have been nominated by YOU, our customers and visitors, for the National Awards known affectionately as the “Rural Oscars”. The Countryside Alliance requests nominations to be received for those “unsung heroes” who work within, or for, the countryside, such as farms, farm shops, village post officers and rural trades. You, our customers and visitors have voted for us in great numbers, and to our great surprise, your passion has been noticed, and we are one of four finalists in the “Enterprise” category in the West Midlands. I have been putting a few photos and words together to try to give a flavour to what we do at Park Hill within the farm, farm shop, and how people can use the farm as a free of charge resource. Of course none of this would have been possible without my late father, who set up the farm, nor my husband who keeps smiling! John an I are so very pleased that you have enjoyed your visits to the farm, and that you have all been so kind as to get involved in this wonderful award. If you wish to know more, or follow our progress, then please visit www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk. PROJECTS Pat has joined the farm into the "Let Nature Feed your Senses" lottery project, which aims to give a variety of people, who would not usually visit the farm, the chance to explore nature through their senses. This project is aimed at the elderly, those from deprived areas, the disabled in wheel chairs, and those with disabilities. Do call us to find out how we can make the outside world interesting and give you a great visit. Baby calves have arrived, including a set of twins called "Diesel and Petrol" – why not come and see them – bring your wellies, coats and cameras when you come to collect your meat, and have a good look round. John also welcomes 2 new work experience students this year, and continues to work with our wonderful team of volunteers through the year.
VISITS TO THE FARM This time of year is always EXCITING on a farm with calves, and we have just bought a new bull called Galahad. He is a Hereford Bull and will be meeting our heifers after Christmas. We hope they find him irresistiBULL. When collecting your orders, you are very welcome to bring the children and their wellies, and take a look at the animals. Another new arrival is Kenzie, our rescue Collie x Husky (we think) dog. He is great, but the cats are having a rough time at the moment. He is 4 years old, and has come from Ireland originally. We found him at the Dogs Trust in Shrewsbury, and fell in love with him. We haven't had a dog at the farm for 30 years, so its a big change, but one that we are very happy with. SCHOOL VISITS Pat has undertaken training to be able to take school trips around the farm, and it has been very rewarding to see the children's faces light up when they see the hens, cats and calves. We welcome visits all the year round, and interested teachers should contact the farm office - 01630 652178 for further information. Pat is also able to visit schools to talk about rural life, food miles, globalisation, farming etc., so do give her a call. If you would like to see when we are free for school visits, give us a call. Thank you to all of you who have written to say what a wonderful days you had. We have had OVER 150 visits SINCE the 1st September 2009 - wow - and of course, that is not counting the visits we do for the families that come and collect their meat and have a personal tour of the farm or the free of charge open days we hold.
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