Page 29 - link magazine

The Link Magazine April 1994 29
It's lambing time at Roves Farm

Life's hectic running a busy farm and catering for visitors COME CAN
Just outside the hamlet of Seven- countryside. Roves Farm is open eeEcomes
hampton, near Highworth, looking daily, except Mondays and Tues-
up towards the Downs and a mile days until 2 October from 2pm to
from the nearest road is Roves Farm. 6pm. You need to arrive close to
Owned and run by Rupert and 2pm or you might miss something! 1D UC
Joanna Burr, it's more than just a
sheep and corn working farm.
Rupert and Joanna are building their Restoring some of
own Visitor Centre, they're pioneer- Coffee shop
ing several new crops and wildlife Swindon's history
habitat schemes across their farm A group of volunteers who are clear-
and they are only too pleased to be ing the route of an old canal would
able to show people around them. like more helpers to coma their way.
In March and April it's all go with the trees and undergrowth along Delicate&sen
The group have hacked away at
the sheep. At lambing time,up to 50
lambs are born daily and they are all the route of the North Wilts branch
cared forby Rupert,Joanna and their of the Wilts and Berks Canal, to be Toomers Garden Centre
staff for 24 hours a day. found, hidden, just off the Moredon Stone Lane, Lydiard
For years the farm has opened its road between Sparcells and
doors to the public at lambing time Rupert with just born triplets Woodhall Park Working on Sun- Mililcent, Swindon
and worried mum
and with new, always improving days since December, some 600 Freshly brewed coffee, tea,
facilities, there's much more to see woods are planted, how ponds are yards of towpath have been cleared soft drinks, homemade cakes,
and do - farm crafts and bottle-feed- cared for, and river and wetland by the volunteers.
ing to teas and the children's play habitats are established. All sorts of The group hope to dredge the cookies, cream teas,
area. All sorts of friendly farm ani- wildlife abound - but do you know canal as a showpiece to eventually hot soup, fresh rolls,
mals are waiting to make friends where or when to find them? Or linkup with the main canal network toasted sandwiches, salad bar
and the farm staff are always on how about the growing of willows providing recreation for walkers, cy-
hand to explain all about them. as a crop to produce environmen- clists, schools studyingwildlife, fish- Specialist foods from our
It doesn't all stop at lambing time tally-friendly electricity and heat? ermen and horse riders. Delicatessen to take home
either. Rupert and Joanna are close Roves Farm brings together wild The local group is coordinated by
'partners in the Great Western Corn- flowers, wildlife, farmers and Henry Smith who lives atPeatrnoor. Open
munityporestarouridSwindonand, townsfolk, to learn, enjoy and live If you would like to get involved lOam - 4.30pm
as such, are taking guided trailer together in the countryside. So why with working parties to bring the Further enquiries (0793) 770250
rides around the farm to see how not take the family out for a marvel- local canal back to life, call Henry
crops are grown, how trees and lous day and learn a bit about the Smith on 875775.

In the heart of the Great Western Community Forest

A fun day for all the family

7ISITcR. GE1JTRE

Sevenhampton, Nr Highworth, Swindon • Telephone: 0793 763939

Open Wednesday to Sunday 2.00 - 6.00pm until 2nd October. Last admission 4.30pm

It's Lambing Tinw in March and April

Come and see the lambs and other farm animals
Adventure playground ' Cream Teas • Picnic Area Spinning and Weaving Displays I Accommodation

Adults £2.50 Children £1.50 Concessions £2.00