News
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Summer 2010
Come and join us for some summer fun at Larkrise Farm.
Click here to download details of our August 2010 Animal Activity Days. We look forward to seeing you!
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26th November 2007
Santa's Reindeer saved by Larkrise.
Thanks to the generosity of the Larkrise Community Farm in West Ashton, Santa was able to keep his commitment to visit the Christmas Shop at the Granary in Bradford on Avon with his reindeer. He visited the shop last Saturday and was warmly welcomed by crowds of parents and children. The movement of the reindeer had been threatened by DEFRA restrictions relating to the devastating bluetongue disease, but Santa was determined not to let the children of Bradford on Avon down. He issued an appeal for some kind souls to accommodate his reindeer after they had been to the Granary Christmas Shop, since they would not be allowed to go back home after their visit. The next day they were inundated with offers of accommodation and the reindeer are now staying at the Larkrise Community Farm, where they are very happy amongst other friendly animals. The farm is a Charitable Trust, which works with children with special needs and learning difficulties, and they are thrilled with their new visitors.
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Peter Morris 1936 - 2007
We regret to announce the death in July of Peter Morris, long-serving Chairman of Trustees of Larkrise Community Farm. Peter was instrumental in bringing the Farm from its original status as an adjunct to Larkrise School through to its current well-resourced charitable status in our superb premises. Peter's presence is sorely missed around the farm.
Peter's wife, Jan, writes:
Peter’s life in “about 400 words please” has been a challenge!
He was born in Bolton on 1st January 1936 and duly appeared on the front page of the local paper with other early arrivals!
Age 11 he gained a scholarship and went to Bolton School where he became a keen member of the scout troop eventually gaining King’s Scout status. 1955 found him at Seale Hayne Agricultural College and by the time that Jan arrived in 1956 he was Entertainments Chairman. As such he produced the annual college play, Jan took part, and the rest is history!
Married in 1958 and farming in Surrey, he again found time for Scouting and became Scoutmaster to the 1st Compton Scouts. He also began part-time lecturing at Merrist Wood and discovered both an aptitude and a liking for the job.
In 1964, now with a wife and 2 sons, he moved to Bishop Burton College in the East Riding where the family stayed for the next 14 years. Whilst there he gained a daughter and an M.A.degree and was appointed as an Assistant County Commissioner for Scouts as well as college Vice Principal.
In 1976, two years before moving south, he was awarded a Winston Churchill Scholarship and he and Jan spent 6 weeks in the USA studying animal feed production etc….. a never to be forgotten experience.
The family came to Wiltshire in 1978 when Peter was appointed as Principal of Lackham Agricultural College. I know that I am perhaps biased but, I think that others would agree that, by the time he retired in 1996, Lackham was one of the best of the Land-Based colleges in the country. In 1991 he was proud to be appointed a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in recognition of his service to the industry. He was always mindful of the “bigger picture” and for some years he chaired “ J.T.P.” which was an association of European Agricultural Colleges to exchange and share knowledge for the benefit of all.
In 1996 he didn’t so much retire as swap jobs! He was soon involved with Larkrise Community Farm and the challenge of funding the move to new premises, chairing the Lackham Museum Trust and giving ongoing support to “our” village in Ghana.
He was involved with many organisations over the years but most of all he was a family man, proud of his children and grandchildren, and loved by them all. He was good at story-telling and when told that Grandpa had died, a small voice said “but who is going to tell us about the wifflepoofs?”
He will be sadly missed.
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6th November 2006
West Wilts Lions Support Larkrise.
On the 6th. November the farm played host to representatives of the Lions Clubs of Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Westbury and Warminster who came to see the facilities and hear of the progress made since its opening last year. They jointly presented a cheque for £400 to Wendy Self the farm manager, to assist the farm in its next project of providing an all weather riding and stock handling practice area.
Organised by Terry Clements, the Zone Chairman for the Lions, Wendy Self (Larkrise Farm Manager), club Presidents Richard Loverock, Keith Yates, JohnDrago and Sue Couzens expressed their congratulations to those at the farm wishing them continued success.
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3rd October 2006
Larkrise Farm launches a bursary scheme.
Larkrise Community Farm announced the establishment of a bursary after the Wiltshire Lodge of Agriculture made a donation of £5,250 to the trustees. The bursary is intended to pay for children and young adults with special needs to visit and spend time at the farm. Cutbacks in social care budgets mean that many of those who previously visited the farm can no longer afford to do so. The idea is this bursary will enable us to have one or two to come to the farm to do what they want to do. It will enable us to give them an outlet into society.
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3rd October 2006
Wiltshire Lodge of Agriculture make a generous donation.
Former lodge master of the Wiltshire Lodge of Agriculture, Bas Haines, recently presented Larkrise Farm with a cheque for £3,500. This money will go towards some exciting new projects proposed by the farm. One of our main projects involves the provision of an all-weather area. This will allow students to have horse riding instruction throughout the year and prepare animals for shows. The project is in its early stages and is also being partly funded by grants from the Tudor Trust and the Friends of West Ashton. Quotes have been obtained for fencing and materials. We are also working towards providing an organic garden on land attached to the barn, and a greenhouse has already been donated.
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