Page 72 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023

COMMUNITY

Working with primary schools

“I love it here, In March, we opened our farm gates to visits
from primary schools from the local area and
it’s been even some slightly further afield, in partnership with the

better than Country Trust, as part of their farm discovery days.
Pupils had a wonderful time learning about farm life,
Chessington!” what it is like to be a vet student, and the concept of
‘farm to fork’.

Our Community Relations and Events teams, assisted by our incredible student
ambassadors, the farm manager and farm staff hosted over 140 children from Year
3 to 6 over a two-week period. The children spent time learning about our milking
parlour and visited the ‘chicken village’ to learn where their eggs come from. They
studied x-rays and practised some ‘day one’ skills by bandaging toy animals. Some
pupils were even lucky enough to witness a ewe giving birth – what an incredible
experience! For many of the children, it was their first farm visit. As well as teaching
them about day-to-day farm activities, they were also given unusual facts to take away
with them and share. Our aim is that this practical, education experience is something
they remember and can build on in the future. One pupil said: “I love it here, it’s been
even better than Chessington!!”

Open Farm Sunday

On 11 June, as part of LEAF Open Farm Sunday, Boltons
Park Farm welcomed over 1,200 visitors from far and
wide. Our aim is to introduce farming to the general public,
showcasing a wide range of rural activities at the same time.

As well as having the opportunity to learn about and meet our
animals, visitors were able to meet researchers and students to
learn about science in farming, animal husbandry and veterinary
care. As well as this, representatives from the Students’ Union,
Animal Welfare Society, the RVC Biodiversity team, and a
shearing expert were on hand to talk to visitors. Demonstrations
included spinning and felting by students Jas Gregory and
Katelin Goodbourn, using fleeces from our own sheep which
were also on sale.
The RVC’s Animal Care Trust hosted a very successful cake
stall to raise funds for the RVC’s hospitals and student funds.

72