Another month has flown by and with it, some very warm weather. Often June warmth is welcome in the courtyard at Battlefield and on the crops over the hedge. For a couple of weeks this month there have been times when it’s almost been too hot to eat much, and the crops could certainly do with rain. We are never content.
The newly shorn sheep look far more comfortable out on the pasture and the lambs at foot are looking bigger and stronger each week. Our shepherds are hard at work checking and sorting them, frequently rotating them onto fresh grass and ensuring that their water supply is plentiful.
Staying with the animals, although with a difference, I have just been introduced to the latest arrival at the Bird of Prey Centre at Battlefield. A Kookaburra, now 3 weeks old and doing well, be sure to take some time to pop into the centre soon, it is well worth the short walk around the end of the shop building.
Haylage has now been cut, baled and wrapped ready for feeding the animals this winter so the grass fields are looking smart and tidy while the sheds are filling up.
Exciting Battlefield news also comes from the field this month with all three crops in our Pick Your Own field. Despite the dry conditions, the pumpkins, maize and our very first crop of Sunflowers are growing well. Do feel free to have a look but please refrain from picking anything just yet as they are not ready.
On the 8thJune we saw the return of our ‘Open Farm Sunday’ event. A free day out which is aimed to bring our community together and to show off some of what farming is about. A big thank you to our contract farming partners for bringing along an incredible range of machinery and to our shepherds for bringing along a selection of their sheep. An important part of OFS is to have the people involved to talk to our visitors about what they do. Alongside machinery and animals, we were joined by Wrekin Forest School, the Corbet Household reenactment group, local craft stalls, Shropshire Brass ensemble, face painting, a wonderful display of vintage tractors and lots more. It really was a fantastic day, so a huge thankyou to those involved and to all of you who came to support us.
At the time of writing our Sparrow’s Café Summer menu is about to launch. We've had our traditional pre launch staff meeting to try some of the dishes and I can guarantee, they are well worth visiting for. Thank you to our team of chefs for developing another wonderful menu of breakfasts, light bites, salads, full main meals, desserts, cakes, teas and snacks to name a few.
Yet more new additions are appearing in the shop, and a special mention must go to our new range of warm homemade sausage rolls. Available from 10am to 2pm to help yourself to, these are truly worth a try and make for a perfect midday snack on the go.
Keep enjoying the sun and I look forward to welcoming you on site soon.
