This Sunday 10 March, Bishop Burton College will be welcoming families to enjoy a Mother’s Day celebration with a difference at Lambing Sunday.
The popular event, which attracted 3,000 visitors last year, will take place at the College between 11am and 3pm. Visitors will have the chance to see newborn lambs and their mothers up close, as well as the possibility of witnessing live lambings.
Head Shepherd, Lizzie Jennings, is gearing up for her busiest day of the year:
“We have a fantastic fertility rate as scans show that our flock of around 600 sheep are carrying an average of 2 lambs each, which is the ideal number for a ewe to care for.
“You can tell when I ewe is about to lamb as she’ll separate herself off from the flock and try to find a quiet spot to ‘nest’. From the moment the first water breaks I’ll time the process, but as much as possible we leave them to it, only getting involved if the sheep really needs assistance.”
Lizzie has six years of lambing experience and has been shepherding on Lambing Sunday at Bishop Burton College for three.
“I absolutely love lambing, it’s my favourite time of year. People are always surprised by the physical nature of the birth and it’s a wonderful experience for adults and children who don’t have the opportunity to be around farm animals, let alone to witness new life come into the world!
“It’s such a positive experience, however many lambs I see, it’s still special when they wobble to their legs for the first time. It’s rewarding for the farm workers and public alike.”
The day will also see invited guests attend the local celebration of the College being awarded the AoC Beacon Award for Practical Teaching and Learning within Agriculture. The College was officially presented with the award by Matthew Hancock, Minister for Skills, at Westminster on 6 February.
On 10 March the award sponsors, Edge Foundation, will join College Principal Jeanette Dawson OBE and guests for the celebration. Bishop Burton College was selected as winner of this award for its development of students’ employability and enterprise skills which meet the needs of the industries and employers that it serves.
As well as the ewes and lambs, the College will be hosting a show jumping competition and horse petting, a display of farm machinery, pig unit tours and tours of the indoor and outdoor animal management units where visitors will get the chance to meet the meerkats, lemurs and wallabies. Visitors will also be able to meet some of the College calves.
Children will get the opportunity to take part in a Lambing Sunday colouring competition and activities.
Prices
Adult £5.00
Children u16 £3.00
Family (2 Adult + 2 Children) £15.00
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.bishopburton.ac.uk or on the day.
Pregnant women are advised not to attend this event. No dogs allowed except display and guide dogs.
