SEPTEMBER 2024: Autumn Arrives at the Sanctuary

Celebrating Success, Awards + Oscar's New Beginnings

As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, the arrival of autumn is unmistakable. 

The once vibrant green fields are beginning to take on shades of amber and gold, and while the sun still gives us a bit its warmth, there’s a gentle chill that hints at the changing season. 

It’s a time of preparation for our beloved animals—soon, the horses will need their winter rugs, and the sheep will be eager to retreat into the cosy barns. 

But for now, we’re enjoying these final days of sunshine, savouring the beauty of the season’s transition.

The final Sheepover of the year was a fantastic success too, with sunny skies and happy campers enjoying a “baa-rilliant” time.

 

Celebrating Love Lambs Week

1st to 7th September marked Love Lambs Week, a period dedicated to celebrating and cherishing lambs. 

Here at the sanctuary, however, our love for these gentle creatures extends far beyond a single week; it’s a lifelong commitment. 

This year, the week was made even more special as we reflected on the heartwarming story of one of our own—Oscar the lamb.

Oscar 2

Oscar’s Remarkable Rescue

On 29th January, we received an urgent call from a young woman whose partner had found a tiny lamb entangled in brambles. With no sign of its mother or any other sheep nearby, he knew the little lamb wouldn’t survive on its own through the night. 

Determined to save the lamb, he carefully placed it in his rucksack and made his way back to his van, then directly to our sanctuary.

The lamb, whom we named Oscar, was ravenous upon arrival but quickly took to bottle feeding. 

However, it soon became apparent that Oscar was blind. 

Despite having no visible abnormalities in his eyes, he showed no signs of vision, which likely explains why he had become lost. Thanks to his rescuer, Sam, Oscar’s life was saved that day. 

Now, he is thriving at the sanctuary, adapting beautifully to his new environment and becoming a cherished member of our animal family.

A Heartwarming Weekend at the Sanctuary

This past weekend, our sanctuary gates opened to welcome over 700 visitors, making it one of our most successful open weekends to date. 

We raised £5,382 thanks to your incredible generosity!

The event was filled with joy and excitement, as families and animal lovers alike explored the sanctuary and met our well-cared-for residents.

We were overwhelmed by the kind words and positive feedback from our guests, who expressed how much they enjoyed their time with us.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the stallholders who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere and to the visitors who supported us with their presence and generosity. 

The success of this weekend has left us feeling truly grateful and humbled by the incredible support from our community.

BBC Make A Difference Awards:
Celebrating Our Achievement

Adding to our recent excitement, we are thrilled to announce that we were highly commended at the prestigious BBC Make A Difference Awards. 

This recognition is an extraordinary honour for us, as it acknowledges our ongoing efforts to raise awareness for farm animals and the work we do to provide them with a safe and loving home. 

Being commended in this way is a testament to the dedication of our team and the support we receive from our community.

Award 2024 Bbc

More Upcoming Events...

Spooky Sanctuary

Join us for a spooky day at the sanctuary filled with fun for the whole family and plenty of treats!

Enjoy our Farm Animal Sanctuary ghost trail, colouring activities, games with chances to win treats, and special prizes for the best costumes. 

Golden Glaze will be serving tea, coffee, and spooktacular doughnuts throughout the event.

Our rescue animals can’t wait to see you!

It’s a great family day out!

Date & Time:

  • Saturday, 26th October – 10am – 3pm

Price:

  • Adults: £5
  • Children (under 14): £7.50 (includes a full goodie bag)

Christmas Festive Fair

Join us for a festive evening of fun at the sanctuary, perfect for the whole family!

Enjoy vegan food from The Boxx n Bar, delicious doughnuts and hot drinks from Golden Glaze, craft and gift stalls, a grotto scene where children can receive sweets from Santa, live music, and, of course, the chance to meet our animals!

It’s a great family evening out!

Date & Time:

  • Saturday, 23rd November – 4pm – 7pm

Price:

  • Adults: £3.50
  • Children (under 14): £3

 

This event will be held in one of our barns, so please wear outdoor footwear and warm clothing!