December update from Jamie’s Farm Bath

This month has flown by here in Bath. We have had the pleasure of welcoming the young people of Cranford Community College who worked really hard during their week on the farm. This ranged from supporting a huge sheep move to trying their hand at Christmas crafts, including making wreaths and bird feeders. It was also an opportunity for personal growth. This quote came from one of the young people when reflecting on their time at the farm: “I am proud of giving this a go; even though I was forced at first, I’m doing this for myself now and it’s incredible how I’m not alone anymore and I see values I didn’t know about myself” – it is really special to see someone experience a real change in themselves from being in the farm environment.  

This month has also provided us with some wonderful opportunities to spend time in our partner schools, which have welcomed us to be alongside their young people in their usual school environment. We extend a very big thank you to Carew Academy in Beddington Park, Broadlands Academy in Keynsham, and the Polden Centre in Bridgewater. This has given us a chance to experience the day-to-day life of young people in a range of secondary school settings, giving us an even better understanding of the leap of faith that it would have taken for them to come to the farm, and also allowed us to continue to support the young people’s journey beyond the farm.  

The farm is all geared up for winter and has been looking beautiful in the recent snow. Some of the recent happenings on the farm include new piglets being born, ewe lambs enjoying grazing the natural forage, the February lambing group starting on concentrated feed, our cows really getting stuck into bale grazing and all the cattle on the farm being weighed and wormed!  

It’s been a busy month and it’s felt really special to be able to extend some Christmas joy to all those who have contributed to the running of the site in the last year. We wish you all a very restful Christmas and all the very best for 2023, from the Jamie’s Farm team in Bath!