Page 72 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023

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Page 72 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023
P. 72

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
          itֱs 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 forkֱ.

        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 villageֱ to learn where their eggs come from. They
        studied x-rays and practised some ֱday oneֱ 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, itֱs 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 Studentsֱ 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 RVCֱs Animal Care Trust hosted a very successful cake
        stall to raise funds for the RVCֱs hospitals and student funds.




















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