Wiltshire College & University Centre’s popular Lambing Weekends returned to the Lackham campus this month as four enjoyable family fun days took place.
Lambing has been an annual event at Lackham since the early 1990s. After initially running as a one-day activity, it has grown to four separate events held across the final two weekends in March.
Located at Home Farm within the campus grounds, attendees were able to take part in a range of spring-themed family-friendly activities.
This year’s events once again proved to be a huge success and were sold-out on all dates. Around 7,000 visitors were in attendance across the two weekends, with attendees treated to largely dry and sunny conditions throughout.
Phil Steans, Farm and Estate Manager at Lackham, said: “Once again this year’s Lambing Weekends have proved to be a huge success. Although the recent wet weather made for challenging conditions in the preparation, the weather largely played ball across the four events and the atmosphere at each of them was fantastic.
“People in the local community and beyond really do embrace these events. It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying themselves and getting to experience some of the things that take place day-to-day on a working farm.”
In addition to seeing new-born lambs, visitors were also able to see the farm’s dairy cows being milked – including in the cutting-edge robotic dairy – and see a range of other small and farmyard animals.
A birds of prey display was new for this year, while a variety of children’s activities, food stalls and other stands were located around the site.
Staff and students from across WCUC all got involved in the events, with students who are on land based or animal studies courses at Lackham volunteering to work in various roles.
Phil added: “I would like to thank all attendees for their continued support for these events, as well as the many staff and students who gave up their time to work and help make all the dates so successful.
“Our agriculture students have been working extremely hard, not just delivering and looking after the lambs during the weekends, but 24 hours a day right through lambing season over the past few weeks.”
To find out more about the range of courses WCUC offers at Lackham, visit the final Open Day of the academic year at the campus on Saturday 27th April. Attendees must register in advance by clicking here.
