Organised as part of national Open Farm Sunday and Wales Biodiversity Week, the event explored Llanthony Court Farm and how its owners combine traditional hill farming with landscape management, biodiversity and the visiting public.
Crowds turned out in their hundreds on Sunday, June 17th for a wide variety of farm-themed activities, including tractor and trailer rides, gun-dog and horse logging demonstrations and kids’ pony rides, all set before the stunning backdrop of the 12th Century ruins of Llanthony Priory. Those in attendance were also given the chance to see how Llanthony Court Farm’s owner Colin Passmore and his family work with staff from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, and other local supporting partner organisations, for the benefit of the countryside.
Owner of Llanthony Court Farm Colin Passmore said: “We had a really nice atmosphere and the weather was just perfect. We had a lot of young children here, and there were plenty of animals for them to see and mud for them to puddle in. It was a good day.”
The event also saw the culmination of the Discover Pollinators Drawing Competition which asked participating youngsters to draw pictures of pollinating insects crucial to the agricultural industry. The contest, run by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority in conjunction with Open Farm Sunday and Wales Biodiversity Week, was judged by local award winning illustrator Caroline Downey, who also provided prizes for some of the best entries.
Overall winner of the competition was Ffion Prosser who won £100 for her school, Gilwern Primary, to put towards an eco project or an environmental trip. Cross Ash Primary School pupils Tom Heath and Amelia Rose Lane, Matthew Jackson of Gilwern Primary School, Talgarth Primary School’s Rowan Peel, Sasha Tomlinson of Llangors Church in Wales School and Bethan Morris of Llanbedr Church in Wales School were all highly commended. Winning entries can be viewed here.
Patricia Doree, Information Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and co-organiser of the event, said: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by both the number and standard of entries in the Discover Pollinators Drawing Competition, and we are really pleased with how well the schools responded to the contest – it really captured the imagination of youngsters in the National Park.
“This year’s Open Farm Sunday has been a marvellous success, and I would like to say a big thank you to Colin Passmore and his family for once again holding the event – without their continued commitment to both the environment and countryside this fantastic day would never have been possible.”
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Open Farm Sunday is an annual event that gives everyone the opportunity to meet the farmers who grow their food and care for the countryside. Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) it benefits from generous cross-industry support. For more information please visit www.farmsunday.org