FAMILY fun was on the menu as visitors to Vowley Farm learnt about their meat business during an open day.

Around 300 people attended the event at the Royal Wootton Bassett farm on Sunday.

Visitors could meet the animals, find out more about the meat trade and take part in wool spinning as well as enjoy tractor rides.

Lorraine Stanton, who runs the farm with her husband Mark, said: “It was really good. We had great sunshine and many people attended – we were delighted.

“We are a working meat farm and the visitors met our cows and pigs, with the tractors probably being the most popular attraction among the children.”

Visitors could also take part in sausage making and discover more about Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), which organised the event. The organisation promotes sustainable food and farming.

Lorraine said: “LEAF is a great organisation and it was good for people to learn about them and what they promote. We also had a collection so people could donate money to their work.

“In general, I really think that the event engaged with people and helped them understand about farming and the proper practices. For example, the children understood that the meat was that of animals who were in the fields last week and we helped them understand the process.

“We were also keen to stress the correct ways to care for animals and the differences in quality of care between our meat and cheap meat in supermarkets which reflects in the price.

“It is only when people can understand that they can make a considered opinion. So, I’m very keen to support opportunities such as the open day to give people a chance to learn.”

Visitors having fun in the sun brought picnics with them while there were also refreshments on sale, including cakes and bacon rolls.

Vowley Farm annually holds an open day, through LEAF, to show the public the work they do.

Lorraine said: “We are really pleased with the support that we received this year as we were probably a little slow in promoting it so we were overwhelmed by the turnout.”

For more information about the farm visit www.vowleyfarm.co.uk and to find out more about LEAF’s work visit www.leafuk.org.