Ashford Rare Breeds Centre

funding makes Rare Breeds even better

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:40:00 GMT

Creepy Crawly World The new and very exciting Creepy Crawly World opened it’s doors to the public this Easter, A large majority of this new attraction on the farm has been funded by Ken Chappell’s awesome Pop Quiz’s – We can’t Thank Ken and his wife Debbie...(read more)

Former BILSINGTON CRAFT FAIR - now at RARE BREEDS CENTRE

Julie O'Neill — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Space available for one of Kent’s largest craft fairs The Rare Breeds Centre is the new home of the former ‘BILSINGTON CRAFT FAIR’, the giant TWO day craft fair will now be held at the centre in the well serviced and maintained event paddock on the 28...(read more)

Lambing Fortnight - Spring Lambs and Flying Pigs

Julie O'Neill — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:26:00 GMT

Spring Lambs and Flying Pigs are the order of the day at The Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch near Ashford over April half term. Visitors can come along and meet the new born lambs in the undercover Lambing Tunnel and a lucky few can get to feed them at...(read more)

HIBERNATION.... where are all the Hedgehogs?

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:41:00 GMT

Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals , characterised by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernation conserves energy , especially during winter. Hibernation may last several days...(read more)

Really Real Reindeer and Santa at Rare Breeds centre

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:42:00 GMT

Really Real Reindeer at Rare Breeds Centre 15th – 23rd Dec inclusive The magic of Christmas returns to the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch again this year, when Santa and his Real Reindeer make a stop over to see all the Children in the star filled wonderland...(read more)

PARACHUTE FOR FREE!

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:40:00 GMT

Would you like to play part in helping to change someone’s life? Help us by raising vital funds If you have ever wanted to do a parachute jump, then here's your chance, Canterbury Oast Trust is looking for hundreds of adventurous volunteers to make a...(read more)

HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHTS

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:55:00 GMT

Join in the fun and shear terror of Halloween at The Rare Breeds Centre..... 24th - 27th October 2007.... Farm open from 10.30am - 9.30pm, with Halloween fright nights haunting you from 6pm..... Bring a torch to see and Wellies to quake in. (Not for the...(read more)

ROCK N ROLL

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:19:00 GMT

Each year we have a themed party on the farm, this year it was ROCK N ROLL, staff, volunteers, residents and friends dressed up and partied the night away with a disco in the marquee and a BBQ - (funds were raised by Friends of COT) We all enjoyed the...(read more)

Back to School...

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:20:00 GMT

Welcome back to school everyone, I hope that you have a great term and we look forward to your visits to the farm, did anyone visit the farm over the summer? leave me ome comments about what you have seen - and ask me some questions.... i'm here to help...(read more)

IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL AT THE RARE BREEDS DESPITE FOOT AND MOUTH SCARE

Julie O'Neill — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:59:00 GMT

It’s business as usual at The Rare Breeds Centre despite the recent foot and mouth scare. ‘ The news of the Surrey outbreak came out of the blue and was a major shock to us’ said Farm Manager Davy McColm ‘The last outbreak of foot and mouth was a disaster...(read more)

Flying Pigs and Flying Falcons …

Julie O'Neill — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:17:00 GMT

There’s lots of great new things to see and do at the Rare Breeds Centre near Woodchurch over the Summer. As well as the friendly farm animals, the daily pig race where or race bred porkers will be flying down the track, the two indoor play barns, the...(read more)

Rare Breeds Centre Early Years days.

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:38:00 GMT

On the 5 th , 6 th , and 7 th June, all nurseries and reception classes of schools in Ashford Rural Cluster were invited to the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, for a day of fun activities, and the opportunity for children at preschool to meet their...(read more)

Rolls Royce raise money for COT

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:25:00 GMT

The Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club South Eastern division visited the Rare Breeds Centre on Sunday 10 th June for a Picnic, there were nearly 20 cars in the main paddock on display to the centre visitors. Not only did they enjoy their picnics, a day of...(read more)

Rosie the Tamworth Pig - on her way to Hampton Court Flower Show

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:26:00 GMT

This is Rosie, she is going on a mini holiday to the Hampton Court Flower Show, The Daily Mail will be borrowing her to show her in a farm setting with their beautiful oast house. 2007 Watchlist; Category 3, Vulnerable. (info from RBST website) The breed...(read more)

Early Purple Orchid

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:58:00 GMT

While out taking photos of the bluebells i saw what i thought was a discoloured bluebell, i made way across the woodland, taking time to place my feet with care, as to not trample any delicate flowers underfoot. when i reached this beautiful flower it...(read more)

Hope you all had a great Easter

Julie O'Neill — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:35:00 GMT

Here on the farm we have had a wonderful Easter!! The return of Pig Racing has been great fun, lots of our Sheep have had their lambs and Goats have had kids, our New Bird Avairy opened at the beginning of the holiday and our birds are now comfortable...(read more)

SPRING LAMBS, RACING PIGS AND AN EASTER BURROW

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:15:00 GMT

A chance to meet and greet lots of new born baby lambs in the new Lambing Tunnel plus a chance to watch and maybe help out in our now famous Pig Racing spectacular are just two of the highlights of Easter at the Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch near Ashford...(read more)

Spring has Sprung

Julie O'Neill — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:15:00 GMT

By the view across this field you can see Spring is here, blossoms on trees, buds on others, the woodland is covered in a green carpet - soon to be blue with Bluebells. Soon the trees in the distance will be green with leaves!! The first Lamb was born...(read more)

Incubation

Julie O'Neill — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:23:00 GMT

Length of Incubation Approximate incubation periods for commonly hatched poultry and game bird species in small incubators are: Species Days Chicken 21 Most ducks 28 Muscovy ducks 33-35 Turkey 28 Most geese 29-31 Ringneck pheasant 23-24 Japanese quail...(read more)

Rare Breed Pigs

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:37:00 GMT

Most farm animals were created to provide traction, milk products, fibre or meat. Only by utilising rare breeds in the most appropriate way for them can we increase numbers. The development of practical commercial uses for rare breeds, to make them attractive...(read more)

Holly goes out to play

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:45:00 GMT

Holly has spent the day out in the paddock playing with the sheep, she has been turned out with two Jacob Lambs and two Lincoln Longwool Lambs, the lambs are coming up for 1 year old, they, like Holly have been hand reared by the farm staff. Read about...(read more)

Bagot Kids due soon

Julie O'Neill — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:21:00 GMT

Many of our Bagot Goats are due to Kid (have babies - known as Kids) in early February. We hope to have a few by Half term They are long haired with their heads and fore-quarters black and the rest white. Many animals now have spots and patches of black...(read more)

Seasonal Changes…

Julie O'Neill — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:44:00 GMT

Today I have been for a lovely walk around Rainbow Wood and into Tinkers Wood at The Rare Breeds Centre, I have noticed a few things along the way. The start of the Bluebells…. they are just starting to rise through the woodland mulch and mud, I hope...(read more)

Meet the Berkshire Piglet

Julie O'Neill — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 14:39:00 GMT

Today you can learn a little about some of the breeds of Pig which are homed at the Rare Breeds Centre.... The Berkshire pig is the oldest recorded pedigree pig in Great Britian. It is a small pig, all black with white feet, nose and tip of tail and has...(read more)

Wednesday 27th September

Julie O'Neill — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 07:58:00 GMT

Good Morning.... Welcome to The Rare Breeds Centre. I hope that you all enjoy your day at the farm, when Donna has shown you how to use the blog, you can leave me a comment - remember you can look at the blog when you are at School or even at home. Remind...(read more)

Welcome to The Kestral Room

Julie O'Neill — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 12:03:00 GMT

Hello! Good afternoon Bloggers, day two of the Creative Harvest Activity Week seems to be going really well. I met up with the 'Tamworth Pigs' in the woods by the secret lake. Adrian was telling them stories and they were having a sing along. It was really...(read more)

Welcome to The Rare Breeds Centre & the Creative Harvest Festival Activity Week

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:13:00 GMT

Good Afternoon Bloggers! I hope you all have fun learning how to use the Blog! Once you have learnt how to use this, you can show your parents and all of your friends at home. The information on the Blog can be used in the class room as well as at home...(read more)

Creativity Festival Week

Julie O'Neill — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:10:00 GMT

We are holding the first Creativity Week of its kind at the centre from the 25 th September. Everyone is getting very excited and I can’t wait for your comments informing of your plans children!!! Our Creativity week will celebrate children’s creativity...(read more)

Rare Breeds in National Newspaper

Julie O'Neill — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:19:00 GMT

It was a very hot day on the 26th July and it wasn't only the humans who needed sun hats. The piglet got to wear one too!...(read more)

Hoof and Trotter Races at Rare Breeds Centre

Julie O'Neill — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:04:00 GMT

Everyday this summer we are making piggy racing even more fun, by racing our sheep, we have 2 highly trained Southdown Sheep and 2 Lincoln Longwool Lambs, If you visited us in Febuary you may have seen the Southdown Lambs being born, Easter time the Lincolns...(read more)