After months of planning and hard work by the team at Little Gate Farm, the annual summer fair organised and executed by a small army of staff, trainees and volunteers, took place last Saturday, July 1. The overcast start to the day didn’t deter the huge number of supporters from making the effort to join in the fun and by mid-morning the sun returned and lasted all day. Some visitors had travelled hours to get there, the car parking area soon filled up and it was obvious, judging by the numbers, that this was the place to be.
Little Gate Farm is special, not because of its delightful surroundings but because of the work which goes on there, helping people with learning disabilities and autism into paid employment through supported work, training and apprenticeship opportunities. The trainees are taught a variety of transferable skills examples of which were available to view during the day with organised farm tours where you could also meet the animals.
We were entertained throughout the day with live music from The Kukes, Scott Chisolm, Hayley Savage and Logan Wilson whilst we enjoyed all the market stalls selling a variety of crafts. No country fair would be complete without a barbecue but this one was fuelled with charcoal made by the trainees using wood from the farm, the food was delicious and the queue kept lengthening. If you fancied something different, under the open fronted marquee next to the flower stall was a huge variety of pastries, cakes, savouries and refreshments catering for all tastes and preferences and the bar was doing a fine trade in beers and soft drinks.
Flower crown making was one of the events using freshly cut flowers from the farm gardens, grown by trainees and also sold as possies, garlands and bouquets, beautiful flower arrangements which, like the charcoal, are available to purchase when available. For kids there were no end of treats in store: giant bubbles, summer games, soak someone in the stocks, giant chess, coconut shy and woodland crafting to name but a few.
Children were able to meet the animals including Shetland ponies, lamas, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens and every visitor had the chance to view the farm, see all the flowers, herbs and vegetables, meet the staff and volunteers, tour the buildings, see the woodland crafts and charcoal production and if this all got too much there was even a quite space available complete with canvas tent, surrounded by mature trees in this very special place.
The ‘sunshine in a barrow’ raffle was drawn at around 4:30pm and one lucky winner won an amazing wheelbarrow full of summer goodies donated by some very generous sponsors. It was a really lovely day, so much to see and do but very relaxed and enjoyed by all who came along and made possible by so many people giving up their free time and working so hard all day to make this annual event the best yet. In total, the summer fair raised an uncredible £5168.63 of much needed funds.
Feedback from visitors has been nothing but positive, and the event was a huge success raising money for such a worthwhile charity. If you missed it don’t worry, there’s always next year but until then you can visit the farm and see what goes on for yourself, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
For further details go to www.littlegate.org.uk  or call 01797 260580.
Little Gate Farm, Horseshoe Lane, Beckley, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6RZ.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .