A group of students from Marland Secondary School, Roundswell have had the opportunity to work on a local farm for a term. Woolmers Farm, in Bickington, welcomed the group at the end of the summer to undertake a variety of farm jobs. 

Animals on the farm included alpacas, sheep, miniature goats and ponies, a calf, lots of chickens and ducks, pigs, rabbits and guinea pigs. The group soon got into a routine of mucking out the pens, checking the animals over, laying fresh bedding and providing food and water. They also collected eggs and pumpkins, helped with animal husbandry (such as hoof trimming goats and alpacas), field fencing, walking the alpacas and making bird boxes. 

There was lots of positive feedback on both sides, with the farmer stating that the group's work had been invaluable and the pupils saying that they really enjoyed getting stuck in and being so close to the animals. 

We are very grateful to Woolmers Farm for welcoming us and providing guidance throughout, peppered with Scottish humour.