A generous donation from the Ann Harrison Trust will enable The Children’s Centre to develop animal husbandry activities at its Community Farm. Based at Wallberry Farm - which is on the Carnane Estate just off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas - it is the Island’s first community farm and will provide an environment in which children and young people from across the Island can learn about caring for animals and how to grow crops. It will also become an educational resource focusing on experiential learning. As well as taking part in agricultural and horticultural activities children who visit the farm will take part in workshops and discover how farm machinery is maintained and gain skills in areas such as woodturning and metal work. The project has been made possible as a result of a five year funding commitment from local charity the Ann Harrison Trust, set up by well-known former museum archivist the late Ann Harrison. “Animals meant a lot to Ann, and so this is a very appropriate project for the Trust to be involved with”, said Trustee Colin Matthewman after being shown around the Community Farm with fellow Trustee Jonathan Kewley. John Knight, Chief Executive of The Children’s Centre, said: “This generous donation over a period of five years enables the charity to get underway with the animal husbandry aspect of the Community Farm. Animal husbandry activities are centred on caring for the selection of animals on the farm, by getting involved in feeding, mucking out, cleaning and medical checks. We also plan to work in partnership with neighbouring farms to provide opportunities for interaction with larger-scale farming at busy times of the year, such as milking and lambing.” The Community Farm is run by Chrissy Cannell, Farm Development Officer, and Nigel Revill, Farm Activity Worker. Nigel has been part of the charity’s Mobex team for the last six years working with children and young people in the outdoors. He also has experience in farming and is therefore the perfect person to plan and deliver projects on the farm. Nigel gained a National Diploma in Agricultural Subjects at Hadlow College of Agriculture and Horticulture before returning to the Isle of Man and working for 10 years at Barony Estates, rising to the position of Estate Manager. Chrissy has worked at The Children’s Centre for the past year and in her new role is promoting the farm and its benefits throughout the local community and working with the charity’s fundraising team to secure funding to enable development of the project. - ENDS -