12 January 2017- Snow?

Hello everyone...

We are all waiting to see if it is going to snow? Will there be enough for a full on snowball fight I wonder? They do look fun though it's very hard to take part successfully when you have hooves! So far we have had a few spots of the white stuff but not too much.

Sad to report that Jasmine the cat, who has been keeping the mouse numbers down here on the farm for around 18 years, passed away in her sleep this week. She will be sadly missed.

Enjoy the snow if you get some!

Buttons xx

05 January 2017- Happy New Year!!

Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year to you all!

I hope you all had a great Christmas, we certainly did! We're all a little bit heavier than we were after all the food and chocolates!

It's our birthday! Stockley Farm is now 30 years old so we are looking forward to lots of fun this year and parties galore! Lots of new arrivals on their way too as we are looking forward to the spring time...I can't wait to see the new buds on the trees and baby goats arriving. Maybe even, dare I say it, a little sunshine??

Hope to see you all when we reopen for the half term holidays!

Buttons xx

22 December 2016- It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's nearly here and we are all sooo excited! We have had lots of excited children visiting with their schools and even more at the weekends with their mums and dads! I love seeing their faces when they come out of the Grotto with their presents after meeting Father Christmas! We have been making lots of Christmas tree decorations too and there's been some delicious cookies from Mother Christmas' Cookie Quest. I have loved watching everyone join in the Panto - with goodies, baddies & dames, it's been great fun - Oh Yes It Has!!

Have a very Merry Christmas from all of us and I'll see you in the New Year for our 30th Birthday!

Buttons xx

01 December 2016- Winter Time!

Hi everyone!

It's my favourite time of year! All the farm is decorated and the children are visiting Father Christmas in his magical Grotto! The goats and shetland ponies are all happy in the barn with Babe of course, as they are starring in our Panto and the children's live nativity.

We had our first Elf Experiences at the weekend and it was lovely to see all the families enjoying their day as they helped the Elves prepare for Christmas! I hope we'll see you too!

Buttons xx

10 November 2016- Busy Busy Busy!

Ooh, it's getting exciting on the farm and we are getting in the festive spirit!

Father Christmas and his reindeer have arrived in strawbale form at the car park, accompanied by their head elf. The Christmas garlands are up and the nativity stage is in place ready for the schools and our Stockley Panto! Babe the donkey is busy preparing for his starring role by eating, sleeping, doing a daily turn of the yard and braying...very much a method actor.

Not sure the dogs are into the preparation though...it's been a bit rainy and they aren't all that enthusiastic about going out in it! Duvet day for them I think!

Holidays are coming...

Buttons xx

03 November 2016- November already?

Hello everyone!

I don't believe it! It's November! Halloween has come and gone - and we had a lot of fun! The Witch even turned the power off on Halloween night so our intrepid evening visitors had a very Spooktacular time!

And now it's onto Bonfire Night. Don't forget to keep your pets indoors, away from the loud bangs and screechy rockets...you love them, but we animals don't! And do check your bonfires too; hedgehogs love to curl up and sleep in the warm twigs.

We are open all weekend too for the last time before closing to set up Christmas and then the Elves are back, hurray!!

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun and be safe!

Buttons xx

27 October 2016- Evening All!

Boo!!!

Did I make you jump? No?? Well I tried...

I think the ghostly goings on around the farm are more likely to...tonight we are opening in the dark for the first of our Spooktaculars and it promises to be very exciting! There are lanterns and lights, pumpkins and much more, not to mention the witch in her spooky lair!

We've had great fun all week so far...and it's all happening next week too!

Buttons xx

13 October 2016- Pumpkins and Piglets!

Hello everyone!

Are you getting ready for some spooky fun? We are and it's one of my favourite times of the year! I love seeing all the weird and wonderful decorations come out and go up around the farm. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of LOTS of pumpkins too!

We've had some fun this week with Gladys' piglets...they love jumping up at the fence for a bit of attention, think they''re going to take after their mum!

We are also waiting for the result of the Farmers Guardian 'Large Diversification Innovator of the Year' award that we are nominated for...one week to go so watch this space!!

Buttons  xx

29 September 2016- Ponies and Pedicures

Hello!

We've had lots of harvest fun this week building scarecrows too - there have been some rather weird and wonderful ones! Come and make yours at the weekend!

Our ponies have been getting the spa treatment today as the farrier came to do their regular check. Horses need to have their hooves trimmed and looked after just like our finger and toenails...and of course, everybody loves getting new shoes! Babe the donkey didn't miss out either, which is good as he's starting to prepare himself for his busiest season on the farm...as the star of our Christmas nativity and this year's panto!

Buttons xx

22 September 2016- Schools, Stocktots and Spud...

It's back to the old school routine again and some school kids are very lucky as they've come to visit us  with their class already! What a great way to start the year, and if that isn't enough it's been gorgeously sunny most of the time too!

We have had the Stocktots back too...they were making hedgehogs this week, great fun from the looks of it.

Sadly I have to report that one of our farm residents has left us...Spud the perky polecat, who delighted many children with his wriggly body and shocked many noses with his rather unique smell, passed away over the weekend. He had been here on the farm for a good few years after being brought here by the gamekeeper. Spud was a firm favourite in Pets Corner and on the road with the mini farm at events, doing everything from racing to drumming! He'll be missed!

Buttons xx

15 September 2016- Samba Time!!

We had a blast at this year's Stockfest! I've only just stopped my hooves tapping! Mascots Hilary and Stan had a great time in the Samba Drome showing off their salsa moves in the zumba and dance workshops with the children and Stan did us proud again in the Farmathon on Saturday...he's proving to be quite an athlete! They both got beaten on the Sunday though by Puddle the Duck who won both times! (Think she's been in training!)

Duncan was a star performer as he lead our Carnival parade with his feather plumes, while we shook our homemade maracas in our colourful masks and danced round the farm! Fabulous entertainment from the JCB, Cuban band Cafe Con Leche, Stagecoach, SMB International and Impulse Dance plus Rhythm Time and Splat! Messy Play!

Can't wait for next year...it's our 30th Anniversary Party so make sure you don't miss it!

Buttons xx

01 September 2016- Mix up!

Hello!

Are you almost ready to go back to school? We've had so much fun over the holidays and now there are only 4 days left! We have been very busy with all our activities this summer, from Crop Challenges to making butter, Furry Friends Day and even a visit from the big Red Tractor itself, plus a little red tractor as well! They were very popular - lots of photos got taken with smiling children sitting in them!

Now we are spending our last week with a summer mega mix of all the best bits so come down and take part if you can!

Then of course it's samba time with Stockfest...I need to blow the cobwebs off my dancing shoes! Can't wait...

Buttons xx

25 August 2016- Butter me up!

We've had lots of fun this week as it's all about the working farm...

The children have been making butter every afternoon and then Chef Nicky has been using the buttermilk in her scones! They are delicious and I'm amazed I can walk any more, I've eaten that many! The other goats are nice and trim though as they've been taking part in the Great Goat Gallop all week with much success. We've had Crop Challenges and seed bomb making, it's been all go!

Now it's Bank Holiday and (dare I say it) the sun is out and we are awaiting the arrival of the famous Red Tractor - the one you see on your food labels - as it's going to be here all weekend! The label means your food has come from farms that meet the strict standards set for care of animals, the environment and your health! To learn more, come and visit!

Buttons xx

18 August 2016- Farm 24!

Hello!

I hope you are all getting a chance to bask in this glorious sunshine? I am trying my best but there is too much going on!

We had our Olympic Week last week and a  Furry Friends day on Monday, with dog agility shows, talks from the vets on how to care for your pets and even Spud taking part in the ferret racing...it's non stop!

Today is 'Farm 24' as well so we are following Farmer Luke the herdsman around with a camera and showing every body what goes on throughout a typical day on a dairy farm! Those cows are such posers, very amooosing!

Buttons xx

28 July 2016- Funday!!

Well we have had a barrel of laughs today with the Raring 2 Go! Funday!

I've seen it all now...princesses singing and enchanting the children, Batman and Captain America battling it out in front of an astounded audience, and the most incredible thing...Stockley Stan winning the mascot race!!! At last, he even beat Gulliver's World's Leonard Lion. Now that's been a grudge match for years! Poor Hilary didn't do so well, coming 2nd in the final but she wiggled very gracefully across the line in defeat! Watch this space as I'm sure Leonard will be back to contest the title at Stockfest!

There was lots of money raised for CAFT, the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, despite the rain and we will be looking forward to next year's Funday!

Buttons xx

21 July 2016- School's Out!!!

Hurray!

School is finished and now we have weeks of fun on the farm all through the holidays! Tomorrow is our first day so don't miss out! All sorts of things are planned until September...

This week is supposed to be Hilary's High Jinks but she's gone missing! Yes, our famous Highland mascot has disappeared and we are hoping you will help find her so she can come back and take part in the fun and games! At the moment Stan has had to come out of retirement to help out and he's not good in the heat!

Keep your eyes peeled because Hilary may be out and about near you!

Buttons xx

14 July 2016- Happy Birthday Farmer John!

Well it's been a busy old week and I can't believe it's almost the end of school and the beginning of the summer holidays already!!

Lots of interesting things have been happening on the farm this week: two new calves, some lovely chicks and their mum have come to stay for a few weeks and the pipes have arrived for this summer's much awaited ferret racing! Flora and Florence will have to get in training if they're to be as good as our sheep at racing!

The most anticipated event this week though has been Farmer John's birthday! We couldn't let him get away without a celebration and lots of bunting and birthday cake! Yum yum!

Buttons xx

07 July 2016- A Sheep Pig??

Hello everyone!

I do hope you are well and looking forward to the summer holidays...we are!

If you come down you will get the chance to meet Pumpkin, one of Gladys's piglets who is being more dog than pig at the moment. He comes when called, loves having a cuddle and sits down to be tickled and scratched (especially behind the ears). He even waggles his tail!

We are waiting to see if he rolls over for a tummy tickle one of these days...he obviously loves the attention, rather like his mother Gladys! You never know, we might have our very own sheep pig soon. I'm sure he could keep our sheep racers in check!

Buttons xx