Show builds new links to farming life

25 May 2016

A new partnership with Tockwith Show will see a local farming family hold its biggest ever event for Open Farm Sunday.

The Hildreth family at Curlew Fields Farm near Hessay will be opening their gates for the event on Sunday, June 5.

For the first time, the event is being promoted by the Tockwith Show commmittee – and the farming family will be bringing one of their dairy cows to the show in August to share their experiences with visitors.

Show co-chairman Sam Blacker said:

Tockwith Show has always been about sharing agriculture and farming life between those in it and with the wider public, but we haven’t had cattle at the show for many years.

However, with the dairy industry often in the news because of falling milk prices and other challenges facing farmers, we feel it’s important to support them by giving them the chance to talk to our visitors about their experiences.

Tom Hildreth, 24, who works on the farm with his dad Roger, will have a stand at the show on Sunday, August 7, and has also joined the show committee. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a committee member in the 1980s.

The Hildreth family will open their gates for Open Farm Sunday for the fourth year on Sunday, June 5
The Hildreth family will open their gates for Open Farm Sunday for the fourth year on Sunday, June 5

Building the partnership with the farm, Tockwith Show’s committee is supporting the Hildreths’ plans for Open Farm Sunday. It will be the fourth time they have opened their farm to the public and they will be expanding what they offer this year.

Curlew Fields Farm attracts hundreds of visitors for Open Farm Sunday
Curlew Fields Farm attracts hundreds of visitors for Open Farm Sunday

From sheep shearing and cattle feeding to a display of farm machinery and the chance for youngsters to sit on vehicles, there will be plenty for visitors to see. Other farmers from the area will be at Curlew Fields Farm too, with a nearby pork farmer selling sausage sandwiches, the Young Farmers selling cakes and drinks, and Ainsty Farm Shop offering a range of produce.

In 2015, visitors were lucky to see a calf being born while the farm was open. While the Hildreths can’t promise the same this  year, they are hoping their quail eggs will oblige and hatch on the day.

Tockwith Show co-chairman Sam Blacker with new committee member Tom Hildreth, 24
Tockwith Show co-chairman Sam Blacker with new committee member Tom Hildreth, 24

Roger said:

We get people coming from right across Yorkshire to visit the farm and we make it a good day out for them.

Society has changed so that people are getting further and further from their food. They don’t know where it comes from, how it’s made or the hard work that goes into producing it.

Open Farm Sunday is a great way of showing people how it all works in a fun way that is interesting for all the family. We’ll also have goody bags for youngsters so they have something to take away and talk about when they get home, too.

Open Farm Sunday takes place on Sunday, June 5 from 11am to 3pm, at Curlew Fields Farm, New Road, Hessay, YO26 8JS. For more details about the national event, visit farmsunday.org

 

 

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