Firstly, I would like to wish ewe all a very Merry Christmas and a Baaarhh-illiant 2012!

We have all been very busy getting ready for the Festive season here at the farm. As ewe probably know, Santa lives here during December and he has already taken up residence in his very special log cabin. Rudolph is by his side and he has already received a lot of visitors – keen to be first in the queue to see him.

We hosted a very special ‘Charity Launch Party’ this year. Santa arrived in an army tank and all funds raised during the night were split between ‘Help for Heroes’ and ‘Trinity Hospice’. The Mayor and Mayoress of Wyre opened proceeding and thoroughly enjoyed telling Santa what they would like for Christmas.

We were also joined by the totally baaarhh-illiant cast of ‘Snow White’ (this year’s Panto at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool). Amongst the stars were Vicky Entwistle from ‘Coronation Street’, Steve Royle from ‘Radio Lancashire’, Jenny Jones from ‘Hi-5’, and of course the show stopping 7 dwarfs (including Jamie John from Channel 4’s ‘7 dwarfs’, Albert from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’ and several characters from ‘Life’s too short’).

They all danced with the children at the disco and everyone had a super time. Entertainment was provided by ‘The Barbara Jackson theatre Arts School’ and ‘Shakespeare School Brass Band’. It’s safe to say that Santa arrived in style this year! £400 was raised, so a big Thank Ewe to everyone that helped out.

Santa and Rudolph will now be at the farm every day until Christmas Eve – so why not come and see him? Some of our favourite animals have joined in with the animal nativity scene in the Christmas barn. These include Eric the Jersey Calf, this year’s lambs Max and Paddy, as well as Annie and Bobby our 2 miniature donkeys.

All the sheep and cows have now come in for winter – and are happy in their warm dry pens.

Steve, the adopted rat, which has been re-homed with Farmer Kelly – will be getting a new best buddy today, from Thornton Pet Shop – so here’s hoping that they get along!

We very much hope to see ewe all over Christmas – many kind festive regards – Farmer Parr.

The Panto Stars meet Santa!

Eee Byee Gum – Winter is on the way!

We have had a super new arrival this week – a Jersey calf called Eric. He is as handsome as all Jersey calves, with huge big brown eyes and a big round nose. He can easily keep his own nose clean with his tongue – charming. He has been at the farm for a week and has already become really tame. Farmer Debbie and Farmer Sam have spent lots of time with him to make sure he will grow up to be a very friendly little fellow. He has taken well to the head collar and lead - he likes joining the staff for a brew at 3pm.

The men are already building all the scary stuff for HALLOWEEN this year. ‘The Tunnels of Terror’ are well under way – they take a heck of a lot of building and decorating. It really is one of the best times of year down on the farm. It should be even better this year! All the staff really get into the SPIRIT of things – they are quite a scary bunch at the best of times.

In fact we have a real life paranormal investigation happening in the museum in December – a team of ‘paranormal investigators’ are staying up all night in the museum, with all sorts of sensory equipment, as several of them have already SENSED strange feelings whilst visiting the museum. This investigation is not open to the public – as they need peace and quiet to work all the equipment, but I will let you all know what they discover. I will be going along – I want to know who is living (or HAUNTING) rent free in MY museum!  Just remember that if you come to one of our night time Halloween Parties – it will be real GHOSTLINESS that you will see in the museum! What a HOOT! Rumour also has it that several WYRE WITCHES are planning on playing some TRICKS on staff over Halloween – I will certainly be telling them to GET OFF MY LAND!

On a less scary note, all the miniature horses have now been put together and are getting on really well. They have formed one big gang and go out into the nearest paddock on dry days.

Some of this year’s baby goats have gone to new homes. Most have stayed local this year and we plan on keeping in touch with their new owners.

The animals have started growing their big thick winter coats already. Gypsy and Jude have been treated to lovely new winter rugs (in red) – they look like Santa’s little helpers at the moment.

The small tortoises were about to go into hibernation before the recent heat wave struck. That has put them off track, but with the current weather change, it won’t be long before they are ready to snuggle down for winter again. The giant tortoises do not go into hibernation, but stay under a heat lamp in winter.

Rock FM wanted to borrow our tarantula for a show about spider phobias this week. However, most of our animal staff have their own spider fears – what a cowardly bunch (although I am not too keen myself). The one person who does handle the spider could not go along to Rock FM as the ‘handler’ so we had to turn down the chance to have a famous spider at the farm!

We had a super brass band from Stockport here last weekend – they did a great job of serenading all the animals. Will’I’Am just loved them – remember he is our very own dancing goat!

Coming soon to Farmer Parr’s – Ballroom Dancing – who would have thunk it!

See ewe on the farm over Halloween – join me if ewe dare!

Happy Halloween Hootings – from Farmer Parr.

We hope everyone is having a good summer holiday – we are having great fun down on the farm.

Today, this year’s baby pygmy goats have had their first day out in the paddock. It’s very difficult to make any pen ‘baby goat proof’ but we think we may have managed it. Being so small they can climb and squeeze through almost anywhere – especially if they see people eating nice tasty sandwiches....

Bruno, one of this year’s orphan lambs, has taken over Oliver’s spot during the animal show! He has taken to it well and loves meeting new children every day. Oliver has now gone into semi-retirement. He is getting very old for a sheep and has slowed down a lot and now takes a lot more naps during the day. He is still a real favourite with everyone though – mainly because he actually thinks he is human.

Mrs Pig (aka Lady Gaga) is back doing what she likes best – roaming free around the farm. She loves meeting everyone and is really no trouble at all. If you see her – you may notice that she has far out-grown her supposed ‘micro-pig’ status, but there again, being a pig, she is rather fond of her food. Farmer Sophie was taking some great new photos for the animal adoption file last week. Mrs Pig didn’t even bother to brush her hair or wash her face – what a disgrace!

Psssttt - If ewe are a regular visitor to the farm it’s worth taking a look at our animal adoption scheme – as it reduces the entry price by more than half (and you get to choose one of your favourite animals too !!!)

We have also had some new ‘fancy’ chickens, guinea fowl and 2 golden pheasants. They have all been donated to the farm by Farmer Ivor.  Farmer Ivor works at the pottery, but has adopted the farm as his second home. He is a great lover of unusual animals and has in the past brought in an albino hedgehog and also the bald rats.

Farmer Hayley bathed and pampered all the miniature horses last week. It took her all afternoon and was a huge job. All the mini-horses had a go, except this year’s new foal. They all look spotless and fluffy at the moment – I’m sure that won’t last for long.

Noddy and Norman, 2 giant rabbits, have been moved into the new tortoise enclosure to help keep the grass down. They are loving it – plenty to eat and a bit of sunshine too. The big question is – what came first the giant rabbit or the tortoise?

We are currently hoping to revamp the aviaries over the next few weeks – so that is something to look forward to. TooWitt TooWoo!

We have just had a lovely visit from The Mayor of Wyre - he enjoyed a delicious scone and whistle stop tour of the farm, museum and pottery. Although The Pottery, always very strict on times, nearly didn't let the Mayor in - as we were running slightly late. Oops.

Fingers crossed the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays have some lovely sunny days and ewe get a chance to join us all down on the farm! Farmer Parr.

Mrs Pig at her most beautiful!

Well, the baby goats have started being born – we have many mothers to be who will give birth throughout the summer. So far we have had 7 baby pygmy goats, in various colours. They are so small, cute and playful – seeing is believing – most people at the farm could watch them for hours!

We also have wild boar piglets. These are growing big and strong at a rate of knots. Again, just like the goats they are very cheeky and playful indeed. All are big eaters and will not be small and cuddly for very long. But for small animals they really can make a lot of noise – when the staff pick them up to check they are healthy, they make one heck of a racket. Hearing is believing!

We also have a new Anglo-Nubian goat. He is a real smasher and turning into a real character. The staff have nick-named him ‘The Dog’, as he looks and acts just like a dog – in particular a weimaraner. He is tall and slim with big floppy ears.

We have 2 baby rabbits left – they are currently looking for a new home, as we have to keep an eye on our rabbit numbers – ewe know what they say about rabbits...

The tortoises and the goats both have nice new enclosures – so they can take their pick between indoors and outdoors. The tortoises are loving their new freedom and the staff have to hunt for the smaller ones at the end of the day – not that they are difficult to catch, they just like hiding!

A rescued signet (baby swan) was brought to the farm for care. We helped look after it for a few weeks – it has now gone to a very good home, with a friend who has a lovely large lake. So we all  wish the swan a long and happy life.

Max, this year’s new foal is a great little chap – he likes to be out in the paddock with his family, causing mischief.

Tara, one of the staff for the cafe, had just got a new puppy. Believe it or not it’s a Chinese crested crossed with a poodle – a ‘cresty-poo’ I believe! Deary me...

We are ready getting ready for this year’s Scarecrow Festival – we have had quite a few entries already. If you have not entered, then get stuffing QUICK! These will be displayed around for the last week of July – I will keep ewe posted on the winners.

Have a great summer – from everyone at Farmer Parrs.

Well hello there my friends!

Sorry for the lack of recent blogs – it’s been all hands to the pump building the New Function / Birthday Party room! So get Partying down on the farm!

Well, we have had lots of new arrivals at the farm....

A new miniature foal was born on Easter Sunday. He is the son of Mimi and Duchy – making him a full brother to Coco. If you have ever met Coco you will know he is full of mischief. He has been named Paddy. He is a bit quieter than Coco was at the same age, but is extremely greedy. He now goes out in the paddock with his mum when the weather is warm. He was the size of a small Labrador dog when he was born – but the amount he is eating, he will no doubt grow up fast.

A new orphan lamb called Peter has also been adopted by the farm. He was in desperate need of a home and we took him in – he is extremely friendly and follows Farmer Sam everywhere. He likes to come with all the staff when they have their afternoon brews. He has spotty black legs and we are hoping he will turn out to be as sociable as our existing farm favourite Oliver. He already thinks he is human – just like Oliver.

Lots of chicks have hatched over the last few weeks. In our hatchery and also from the wild ducks that have made the farm their home. All shapes, sizes and colours can be seen around the farm.

A new owl chick arrived at the farm yesterday, (brought by ‘The Owl Man’) – a European Eagle Owl! So she will be huge when she is fully grown and is already the size of a small chicken at just 4 weeks old. She has quite an appetite already and will take some feeding. She is spending the first few days at Farmer Brian’s house with him – as she needs ‘imprinting’ – which basically means ‘socialising’. She will come back to the farm in about a week, where I am sure she will become a star and have a hoot.

A great time was had by all over the Easter Holidays – and the Spring Vintage Rallies went very well indeed. The Easter Bunny and his 2 best friends ‘Iggle Piggle’ and ‘Oopsy Daisy’ were real hits with all the visiting children. We are hoping they will visit the farm again over half term.

The baby pygmy goats should start arriving in about a month – we usually have lots being born in June and July. They are many people’s favourite animals on the farm, as well as being the naughtiest!

We hope to see ewe at the farm over the summer – eeee byee gum – Farmer Parr.

Paddy the new born foal - soon after birth!

Well now – I have quite a lot of egg-citing animal news for you this month, as it appears spring has sprung early down on the farm, with a lot of ‘wizardry’ too!!

We have named our 2 new lambs Max and Paddy! Obviously they are both boys and are at present about 2 weeks old. They are very cheeky and very quickly got the hang of being bottle fed. They run out in front of the stage with Farmer Sam, where all our visiting children can take a turn at bottle feeding them. They then enjoy a good cuddle from everyone before going back into their warm cosy bed. They have run off to explore the museum a few times – basically they are just greedy, happy, mischievous (rapidly growing) spring lambs.

We now also have 4 chicks, also growing rapidly and also about 2 weeks old. They are brought round during the animal show every day, so that children can stroke them and are proving very popular with everyone – it’s a real tweet and terribly egg-citing! They are already growing a few proper feathers through their fluffy yellow down and will shortly enter a rather leggy & scruffy stage in their development.

We have a ‘holidaying’ Billy (male) Goat with us at present. He is grey with a beard and is aptly named ‘The Wizard’. He has travelled all the way from a farm in Kirkby Lonsdale, in the hope that his visit will ensure the arrival of lots of baby goats in early summer. We have 9 female goats, so fingers crossed there will be much ‘Wizardry’! He is quite shy at the moment but has a lovely nature and seems to be getting on well with the ladies – no kidding...

Mimi, one of our miniature horses, is starting to look very tubby indeed – we think we may have a new foal within the next month. This will be a full brother or sister to Coco, our 2 year old miniature colt (young male horse), who was the size of a Springer Spaniel when he was born and extremely cute and cuddly.

In fact Coco is at the age where we hope he will soon be suitable to walk around and meet people during the animal shows. He is very friendly but can be full of mischief – so no horsing around Coco!

We also have a baby rabbit at the farm too. A little fluffy white one, who has been named Katie, after one of our volunteers. There is a rumour that we might soon be getting a really Giant Bunny in time for Easter too!

The last piece of news is just as egg-citing. Our much loved farm dog, Betty the Border Terrier(ist), has had a very special visit from an extremely handsome young suitor. Sir Edward of Thornton has very good breeding – one could say ‘doggy blue blood’ in fact.... of course only the very best for ‘Betty Parr’. Anyway, after a bit of ‘wizardry’ we have our fingers crossed for a litter of little Betties in 9 weeks time!!

I will keep ewe posted on any new and egg-citing births, deaths and marriages down on the farm... we are hoping for some lovely spring sunshine very soon!

'Coco' when he was born 2 years ago!