THANK YOU FOR FARMER SAM'S WONDERFUL WHEELS

Farmer Sam 

I don't normally request money from our visitors or friends unless I feel there is a worthwhile reason to do so, but last month, my request for help to raise money for Farmer Sam's wheelchair was one of those exceptions. It's true, I did stand up and tell the wedding guests at our son's wedding that they wouldn't be able to leave the premises until they'd emptied their pockets into the milk churn placed at the exit of the marquee, but I was simply amazed by the generosity of Aaron and Lou's wedding guests. I have been stunned at the generosity of so many of our family, friends, and visitors - even Charley, our granddaughter, raided her money box saying: "Farmer Sam cannot talk, he cannot walk, and I can do both, so the least I can do is let him have all my money." Wow, that brought a lump to my throat. With all the goodwill from so many people, we managed to raise £1200.00 in just 18 days and I'm pleased to report that Farmer Sam's wheelchair has now been ordered complete with all the accessories that he requires. You have helped to make one little boy (and his family) very happy, so a big thank you to all.
FARMER BRYAN'S CHICKEN SITE
What do you get when you put a very skilled illustrator and a talented website designer together with a farmer? A fantastic new chicken website! Even if you don't keep or intend to keep chickens, it's still worth taking a look as Simon's cartoons are hilarious and will make you 'cluckle'! Click onto Farmer Bryan's Chicken Site if you're a keen poultry keeper, you will find lots of useful advice, news, and opportunities to buy chicken products. Do keep re-visiting the site as we intend to build our product range quite substantially.

HOP ABOARD
The weather has been perfect for the New Forest Tour's open-top bus, and the start to the season has got off well. The bus drops off visitors at the Farm gate and collects them again later to go to their next destination. It is a perfect way to see the Forest, and I am looking forward to having a trip on one when the holiday season is quieter.

VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteer scheme has been a great success with over thirty volunteers on our list now. We've had such a range of people joining us: some simply wanting to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, others who have professional jobs but feel a need to escape the rat-race once in a while. There are also those who wish to expand on their animal skills. It seems that all of them enjoy working alongside our regular staff, and are quick to take on the banter thrown at them.


SEE US AT THE NEW FOREST SHOW
Some of the animals are packing their bags to visit the New Forest Show again this year. See us in our show tent from Tuesday 29th July through to Thursday 31st July. This year the theme of the show is hands-on, and you will be able to get close up to a variety of animals including day old chicks, calves, kid goats, donkeys and rabbits in our tent. There will also be lots of fun interactive games with Countrywide, and drawing with cartoonist Simon Chadwick.
Look out for scarecrows this year, which will feature throughout the show ground, but especially at the front of our show tent!!

A Sad Farewell and some Happy Events

RIP Kerry Cow 

For over twelve years Kerry cow has been a firm favourite with the visitors at Longdown, not only because she was such a quiet animal who enjoyed all the attention, but she was a real film star having worked with Nick Knowles in Animal Rescue and also in Heinz soup and PG Tips advertisements. Kerry cow was very special to Dawn and I as she was the last remaining family member of the Deerleap herd of Holstein cows, which originated at Longdown in 1977 when we had a large dairy herd. We had been hoping that Kerry was going to produce a calf to carry on the herd's name, however, just before she was due to calf, she died of Grass Staggers - another name for magnesium deficiency. This is caused by a lack of magnesium in the grass, which in turn affects the cow's nervous system causing sudden death. It was quite sad to see how Fudge, her Jersey cow friend, pined for Kerry, pacing the field and bellowing day and night.

On a much happier note, Kylie had to turn into a midwife unexpectedly on the day of our Vintage Rally as FiFi, our donkey, decided it would be a good time to give birth in front of a very large group of visitors. As we debated if FiFi required a helping hand, or to let nature take its course, we noticed a young girl collapsed on the floor in front of the large group of visitors who had gathered to witness the birth. We think that the sight of this natural birth had proved too much for the little girl. As I went to the young girl's assistance, Kylie looked horrified. "I have never foaled a donkey before". she stuttered. By the time I had completed the first aid, FiFi had produced a healthy young girl foal with a helping hand from Kylie. I'm not sure who looked the most exhausted - FiFi or Kylie! And guess what? We named the new donkey Emily, after the young girl who fainted. Do come and see FiFi and Emily at the Farm and take a look at the birth video on YouTube.

Look out for the New Forest Tour buses which start their service from Sat 28th June. We have a bus stop right outside the farm gate where you can hop on and off at hourly intervals using the red route bus. There are three routes around the forest - each inter-linking with each other, meaning you can reach the whole forest on one bus ticket per person. Show your valid New Forest Tour Bus Ticket at admissions to receive 20% off entry to the Farm (cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer). See The New Forest Tour website for further details about the tours.

 
Our annual Vintage Rally was great success once again with perfect weather conditions. There were many different tractors and engines on display, as well as all sorts of working attractions such wood sawing machinery and a crane. The children's tug o' war is always a highlight, and this year didn't disappoint with the children ending up as victors (with a little help from Shaun the Sheep!). The tractor parade was great too. Horse-drawn wagon rides took place alongside tractor rides, and the Victorian kitchen produced some tasty biscuits, which I simply had to sample on a regular basis - just quality control, you understand!
   

At last, our Pygmy goats have produced some kids: one giving us a set of twins and the other a single boy.
The pictured twin Pygmy goats were named Hugo (left) and Maisey (right) after we launched a competition on Facebook. These little kids like to show off as they chase around their paddock, making it extremely difficult for our visitors to take photos of them. It's all a lot of fun for the little kids - both human and goat variety!

Hope to see you soon, Farmer Bryan.