News from Sacrewell Farm

The new year is an exciting time for the William Scott Abbott Trust at Sacrewell farm. It’s a much quieter time with it being so cold, so for a few days we close the farm to the public in order to catch up after our very busy Christmas Experience

There are some changes in our peak and off peak times and prices, so make sure you check our website before your visit. We can’t wait for the arrival of new life in the New Year, with Kate our Landrace sow due to give birth to a healthy litter of piglets at the beginning of January. We’re also delighted to announce the much anticipated arrival of some Suffolk Punch horses, Seren and Brenin.

Suffolk Punch horses were once the backbone of farming in East Anglia and could be seen regularly pulling ploughs across the fields. During WorldWar 1, many were sent to the front to pull heavy artillery, which led to a drop in their numbers. The second hit on this beautiful breed came in the 1960s as farmers gradually replaced horses with tractors and their usefulness on the farm declined.

In spite of efforts by the Rare Breed Survival Trust and the Suffolk Horse Society, numbers remain low, with just 33 fillies (young females) being born between 2014 and 2016 – but we’re happy to say we’re doing our bit! So, what is happening down on the Farm? Here are a few great family events…

● 20-21 Jan Winnie the Pooh Weekend
Celebrate the birthday of A.A. Milne with a family day out at Sacrewell. Build a house at Pooh Corner for Eeyore or go on a family Woozle Hunt to see what tracks you can find. If you get a bit chilly we’ll have Winnie the Pooh themed crafts or snuggle up in the mill house for storytelling with Piglet.

● 27-28 Jan The Big BirdWeekend
Get involved with the RSPB’s national Big Garden Birdwatch campaign and discover how to give nature a home at Sacrewell. Create some birdfeeders, join in birdwatching and guided wildlife walks, creating your own secret wildlife hide and take a seat at the interactive Bird Cafe.

● 10-18 Feb Half Term
Venture outdoors and join us for a wild half term at Sacrewell. Explore our wildlife trail and meet our new Suffolk Punch horses. Why not warm yourself up and toast a marshmallow by campfire fire, or try one of our blacksmithing taster sessions.

● 24-25 Feb Real Bread Weekend
There’s nothing quite like a slice of homemade bread, still so warm from the oven that the butter melts onto it straight from the knife. If this isn’t enough to make your mouth water, come along to our Real Bread Weekend where we’ll be celebrating all the elements of this dayto- day delight. Learn how grain becomes flour in our 18th century watermill and bake your own real bread roll in our Victorian bakery.

● For more information about events at Sacrewell, visit www.sacrewell.org.uk/events

About Sacrewell
In 1964 the William Scott Abbott Trust was formed with aims to advance all forms of agricultural practices on Sacrewell Farm and to provide educational facilities to the general public. To reinforce these aims Sacrewell visitor centre was opened. Sacrewell Farm is set on 550 acres of land, of which Sacrewell accounts for a small proportion. In guidance with the Trust, all profits made at Sacrewell are reinvested into the upkeep, the livestock and the heritage buildings. Sacrewell is an established award-winning farm attraction. There are a variety of animals, heritage buildings and displays set in 50-acres which bring to life the history of the farm and enable adults and children to discover the importance of food and farming. Other organisations that are based on Sacrewell Farm include PGRO (Processors and Growers Research Organisation) and Riverford Organic Farms.

● A full history of Sacrewell can be read at www.sacrewell.org.uk