Lambing continues as virus halts community event

Despite halting Lambing Weekend, work at Oaklands College’s on-site lambing barns continues through to the end of April, with farm students already delivering over 60 adorable new lambs from an anticipated 130.

Agriculture students and staff at Oaklands College, who usually prepare to welcome over 5,000 guests to their St. Albans campus across the weekend, had been working around the clock to improve the visitor experience by rearing pigs, cows, goats and chicks as well as cockerels to accompany the sheep’s new-born lambs, as well as creating bespoke pathways around the farm to improve accessibility.

Oaklands College were unable to welcome thousands of the local community to their tenth annual Lambing Weekend, due to the fast-moving situation surrounding COVID-19.

However, the college made the most of the unprecedented situation by creating online vlogs and giving updates from the farm through their social and web-channels, where students and staff were on-hand to deliver a daily “Lamb Cam” via www.oaklands.ac.uk/lambing.

Oaklands College Principal Zoe Hancock said; “It was a real shame that the college could not welcome the local community to our 10th annual Lambing Weekend, an event which plays a significant role in the wider community offering at the college. The safety of staff, students and the community was paramount in our decision to cancel this year’s event, though we look forward to welcoming the community to our future events.”