New Arrivals on show at Oaklands’ Lambing Day

The sun shone for Oaklands College’s annual Lambing Day event last Sunday, helping to attract a record breaking 5000 visitors.

On the day visitors were able to see new born lambs, chicks, goats, pigs, alpacas, wallabies and emus as well as an array of other animals in the Animal Care Centre, including reptiles, rabbits and birds.

During the morning one of the ewes gave birth to twins with the assistance of the College’s Farm Manager, Derek Knowles, who explained the stages of lambing throughout the birth to the watching crowd. 

Before entering the lambing barn, visitors were able to stroke some of the lambs born over previous days with the help of Oaklands College Animal Care students.

The College’s Chicken Run Farm Shop attracted younger onlookers with newly hatched chicks while Hospitality & Catering students sold kebabs, chutneys and cupcakes and Horticulture students sold plants which they had been growing in the College’s recently completed 20 metre glasshouse.   Visitors were also entertained by equine demonstrations, face painting and tractor and trailer rides.

A new addition for this year was a Farmers’ Market with a variety of stalls including local honey, jams and preserves, locally produced pasties and porkpies and a very popular apple pressing stall which invited onlookers to press their own apples and sample their hard work.

Kate Browning from Park Street commented: “I can’t believe how much the College has to offer; to see so many age groups catered for was just phenomenal. Thank you for such a great, free, event.”

Zoe Hancock, Principal at Oaklands College, commented: “What a fantastic day. We are now in our third year of Lambing Day and it was such a success. Those who timed it right witnessed the birth of twins – an unforgettable experience.”

“As well as being a great event for the local community to see our Landbased  learning opportunities, our Animal Care students gained invaluable work experience.”