Our Open Farm Sunday trip to Red Bank Farm

We visited Red Bank Farm this weekend in Newton-le-Willows. It was open for this year’s Open Farm Sunday and, we had a great time.
Yes it was a bit of a busman’s holiday but, seeing as Hubster won’t open our doors, it was great to see other farmer’s doing well for themselves.
I haven’t been to Red Bank since a primary school trip many moons ago and it has changed a lot.
They now have a farm shop selling their own meats and other carefully sourced products.
For children, there are two things which get the adrenalin pumping-machinery and animals and, Red Bank Farm had both in abundance.

From goats and guinea fowl to cows and chickens, Open Farm Sunday is a great way of showing people who don’t normally get to see farms, what happens and how the food we eat is made.
For us, it was a chance to see how other people do it and to get some ideas.
The first thing that came out of my mouth to Hubster when we got home was: ‘we need to get some ducks!’ He just rolled his eyes and ignored me.
I feel quite ashamed to say I had ever visited the Red Bank Farm shop before this trip. It is so comforting to know that the amazing array of meats on offer only had to travel the short distance from the field or the barn to the on-site butchery which, had butchery demonstrations throughout the day.

I will definitely be going back there for meat.
One of the things which amused me most about the day was my reaction to the people visiting. It seems Hubster must have got under my skin as, when I saw the (I can’t believe I’m going to use this word) townies, wearing flip flops and short skirts, I had to stifle a giggle.

The many signs about washing your hands and the strategically placed hand sanitiser at the entrance, was a reminder of the perils of opening your farm up to the public. Animals, especially farm animals, are unpredictable.
Who knows when they might kick, bite or butt someone. I’m not sure whether we could cope with the stress of that and the law-suit society we seem to be living in.
I left with a few helpful leaflets about cuts of meat and how dairy farming works so I do hope others picked up the leaflets too.
If we were ever to open our gates, I think we’d need a few more animals. Hubster, if you read this, here is my list.

Open Farm Sunday was a huge success and you could see the amount of effort put in by the staff at Red Bank Farm so well done to everyone involved.
The director of Leaf (Linking Environment & Farming) announced that the 2015 Open Farm Sunday will be taking place on 7th June, 2015 so put that date in your diaries now.