With the new academic year comes the sounds of young people getting stuck in at the farm! In our first week back, we enjoyed the late summer sun with a returning school, All Saints Academy. We then welcomed a new partner school Carshalton Boys Sports College, who stood out for their practical abilities and support for each other, even when completing a very long hike in the rain. The wet weather has however provided some fantastic opportunities for sliding down hills in the mud – something that everyone magically discovers a love for, regardless of age! One young person reflected,
“It was a good experience you wouldn’t get in Sutton or anywhere else really. I’ve learnt how to socialise without a phone, learnt how to cook, learnt how to enjoy nature.”
On the last week of the month, our longstanding partner Cranford Community College joined us, with a highlight including milking a cow for the first time. We have also been lucky enough to complete a number of follow-up visits this month with families and schools. These visits are a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the achievements of our young people. It was particularly lovely to share pizza together with the families that had visited over the summer, swapping memories and hearing their successes since their visit.
On the farm, some of our ewes are lucky enough to be grazing at Lucknam Park Hotel in Colerne, and although they may not be enjoying their very own spa treatments, they are still enjoying living the high life in beautiful grounds. Our garden continues to thrive and it is producing some fantastic treats including apples which we have enjoyed pressing.
Lastly, from all the team at the Bath farm, a big thank you to those who volunteered at our Open Day and helped make it such a success. We loved seeing so many of you come through our doors to enjoy the farm and, even with the incredible heat, it was a fantastic day!
