Principal visits farm as lambing continues

ST ALBANS — Oaklands College was unable to welcome thousands of the local community to their 10th annual Lambing Weekend, due to the fast-moving situation surrounding COVID-19.

Despite this, work at the on-site lambing barns continues through to the end of April, with the farm already delivering over 60 new lambs from an expected 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 hard to improve the guest experience by rearing pigs, cows, goats and chicks as well as cockerels to accompany the sheep’s new-born lambs and creating bespoke pathways around the farm, improving accessibility.

However, due to the developing situation surrounding the coronavirus in the UK, Oaklands College had to cancel the event and turn to online vlogs and updates from the farm, through their social and web-channels.

Oaklands College Principal Zoe Hancock said; “It was a real shame that the college could not welcome the local community to our tenth 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.”