Best day ever

2 July 2021

Ashington school children loved their Country Trust Farm visit to CLA President’s farm.

Mark and Lucia Bridgeman kindly hosted their first school visits at home in Northumberland last week, coordinated by education charity and CLA members, The Country Trust.

Over two days, 60, 8-year-olds from Josephine Butler Primary School in Ashington visited Brunton Farm and Fallodon Hall to enhance their ‘farm to fork’ topic. Host, Lucia Bridgeman, a former teacher, captivated the children as they learned about bees, tasted local honey, fed sheep and chickens, and sampled fresh produce from the family’s own garden.

The teacher’s evaluation report stated: “This has been the best day ever.”

On the farm, led by the Country Trust team, the youngsters investigated the organic arable crops, milled wheat and learned how grains are used in food. With tractors, woodland, pond dipping, and lots of hands-on activities, the children and teachers were immersed in rural life.

One little girl exclaimed,

“This is the happiest I have ever been!”

Country Trust Coordinator, Sue Charlton, explained. “It’s so important that children understand how the food they eat is grown, which is made all the more real when they’re able to connect with the farmers who produce it.” 

She added, “We are indebted to the Bridgemans, and all our farm hosts. With schools under restrictions, and many children facing some form of disadvantage, days like these make happy memories, inspire creativity and spark joy; so important for good mental health, communication, and awareness of the wider world.”

To get involved as a host, or just to find out more about The Country Trust, contact Sue Thompson.