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Fun down at the dairy
LEARNING about food and where it comes from was a highlight for children at a popular dairy's annual open day last week.
So was watching cows being milked and enjoying many other farm-based activities at Little Town Dairy and Farm's ninth annual event at the Thornley-based business.
Held in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, it attracted thousands of people who flocked through the gates despite the gloomy weather forecast.
Little Town's owner, Janet Forshaw, said, "Some food in the supermarkets travels excessively long distances between producer and plate and we want to highlight the benefits of sourcing local food wherever possible. It is important that our children learn about their food and where it comes from".
She welcomed the fact that the rain held off for most of the day, giving the public an opportunity to get behind the scenes and view a typical working Lancashire dairy farm and dairy processing unit.
They saw and took part in a variety of farming activities and displays such as sheep shearing, tractor and trailer rides and sheep dog trials with ducks, and children's activities based around food and farming included " guess the vegetable," pond dipping, nature trails and they could also try their hand at milking a model cow.
Visitors were encouraged to think about the traceability of the food that they eat and to encourage high animal welfare standards by buying locally produced food.
A mini farmers market showcased several local cheese producers and people could also buy farmhouse ice cream, home made cakes and sticky toffee puddings made by the Horns Inn, all of which went down extremely well.
Refreshments were in the form of a barbecue serving burgers and sausages produced from the Little Town's own meat.
For the first time visitors were able to see milking this year which was of great interest to everybody, and other animals on display were goats, chickens, calves... and donkey rides were an added attraction.
The event, which has always had free entry, attracted donations of over 600 which were given to St Mary's Hospital in Manchester for research into the treatment and causes of brittle bones.
Little Town's owner, Janet Forshaw, said, "Some food in the supermarkets travels excessively long distances between producer and plate and we want to highlight the benefits of sourcing local food wherever possible.
"It is important that our children learn about their food and where it comes from".
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Weather for Longridge
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
