The Children’s Centre’s Community Farm will welcome the public for the first time when it holds an open weekend. The Farm, based at Wallberry Farm on the Carnane Estate off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas, is open for everyone to visit on Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1 from 10am to 3pm on both days. Entry is free of charge.

Since The Community Farm project began in January 2011 staff and volunteers have been creating an environment in which children, young people and other community groups from across the Island can learn, from practical experience, the skills needed to care for animals and to grow crops. The farm also has workshops where children learn skills that will be put to good use in maintaining and repairing farm tools and machinery.

Visitors at the opens days will be able to see animals currently at home on the farm, including three pigs, a donkey called Juan, two rabbits, two guinea pigs, plus the farm dog and farm cats. A range of attractions at the open days will include a chance to learn traditional Manx crafts from experts, buy Manx produce from local suppliers, and take part in a ‘Countryside Olympics’ featuring a welly-winging competition, egg and spoon and sack races, and a guess the weight of a sheep competition. Other events and attractions include a hog roast, raffle, and a variety of refreshments. Anyone who wants to help with voluntary work can assist staff in planting the vegetable patch.

Chrissy Cannell, Farm Development Officer, said:

“A lot of hard work has been going on at The Farm in the past year, including lots of work by volunteers who have generously given up some of their free time to help out. The open weekend is the ideal opportunity for everyone on the Island to see for the first time what has been achieved, and enjoy a fun weekend which offers lots of great activities for families and children.”

Those travelling to the open weekend by car are asked to leave their vehicles at Kewaigue School car park. There is no fee for parking and there will be a free shuttle bus service from the car park to The Community Farm every 15 minutes.

For more information about The Community Farm go to http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/what-we-do/community-farm/ or contact Chrissy Cannell, Farm Development Officer, on 610540 or by emailing farm@thechildrenscentre.org.im

ENDS