Let’s kick off this update with a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at our summer Freedom Fields Festival. It’s been a whirlwind, but we wouldn’t change a thing. This was one of our best-supported festivals to date, and we were truly overwhelmed by all the positivity and good vibes across the weekend.
A special mention has to go to the local businesses who got behind us in a big way: Marshalls Transport Evesham Ltd, Budget Waste Management, Gap Group Hire Solutions and CRH Plant. We honestly couldn’t achieve what we do without their generous support.
But above all, this festival wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you. The support you show us never ceases to amaze us, so a heartfelt thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
And the best news? We’re doing it all again!
Save the date: 23rd to 25th July 2027.
Same time next year, we’ll see you there.
At the end of last month we received the most amazing donation: over 1,500 punnets of strawberries! This wonderfully generous contribution came from our long-standing local supporters, Fowler Welch, who consistently provide food for our animals throughout the year.
As you can see from the photos, the strawberries went down an absolute storm. Pigs, goats, sheep, everyone got stuck in, and it’s safe to say strawberries are a firm favourite across the farm. Thank you, Fowler Welch!
The temperatures haven’t dropped, and the pigs are still living their absolute best lives in lovely deep wallows and plenty of glorious mud.
The flip side? There’s been no rain for months, and boy can you tell. Our fields have honestly never looked so parched. We’re keeping everyone comfortable and topped up, but we’re all crossing our fingers (and trotters) for a proper downpour soon.
Lucky was just a tiny chick when he came to us last year, after being dropped by a bird of prey. What a difference a year makes.
He’s now a big, dashing cockerel, and many of our visitors will have spotted him parading around the yard like he owns the place.
He’s a real charmer.
Some moments around the farm are just too lovely not to share.
On these beautiful summer evenings, Clive and Ernie have taken to doing a spot of yoga as the sun sets. Downward dog? More like downward hog. It was a perfect moment.
Meanwhile, Poppy the goat queen has claimed her royal seat at the top of the playground. The equipment was generously donated to us by a local school, and the goats absolutely love it. Long may she reign!
We were so excited to receive a delivery of gorgeous wildflower hay again this year. We absolutely adore this hay; it has the most incredible scent, and our sheep can vouch that it tastes every bit as good as it smells. Thank you!
Everyone has been busy making hay too, and the barns are now full, straight off the field. Buying it this way works out somewhat cheaper, but it’s still a huge dent in our funds. We currently have nearly £10,000 worth of hay in the barns. That should see us through the winter, but if this dry weather keeps up we’ll be feeding it far sooner than we’d hoped.
And it’s not just the hay. With no rain for so long, our water bills have soared too, with all those wallows needing constantly topping up. If you’re able to help us towards these costs, we would be enormously grateful for anything you can give.
As ever, none of this would be possible without you. Every donation, every festival ticket, every punnet of strawberries and every kind word keeps our 600+ rescued animals safe, fed and loved. Thank you for being part of the Farm family.
With love and gratitude,
Louise, Steph & the whole Farm family 🌸🐑
There’s still so much to look forward to this year at Manor Orchard Farm, with plenty of chances to come and visit our 600+ residents in their forever home.
Farm visits are open until the end of October, so there’s still lots of time to come and meet the animals before we close for the winter.
For the creative ones among you, our children’s art classes are running every Thursday for the rest of August, and we’ve got adult art classes on 15th and 22nd August too.
Looking further ahead, our Spooky Sanctuary returns around Halloween, and our Christmas Fair is on Saturday 21st November. More details on both to follow, but get those dates in the diary now!
Whether you’ve visited us before or you’re planning your first trip, we’d love to see you.
Spaces fill up fast, so don’t leave it too late to book.
Due to popular demand, our Halloween celebrations are running over two days this year: Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October.
Dress up and join us for a spooktacular family day out, with our Ghost Trail, Halloween games and prizes, a best dressed costume competition, and plenty of time with our beloved rescue animals.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Step into the festive spirit at our enchanting Christmas Fair.
Browse the craft and gift stalls, enjoy delicious festive food and live music, bring the kids to meet Santa in his grotto, and spend time with our sanctuary residents for a Christmas experience like no other.
