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It was a warm June evening and about twenty of the group and friends gathered in Ripley car park to meet Kate Smith who was going to give us a private tour of Birchwood Farm and Museum.
We walked through a field containing friendly cows, sheep, goats and a large horse, all of whom are used to being petted on Sundays and Bank Holidays at 'The Old Farmyard Ripley'.
Over the road into Birchwood Farm we paused to collect milk in the milking parlour and proceeded into another field to feed some lambs. I now have great respect for mother sheep - those lambs were demanding, not gentle at all!
Kate Smith's great love is Shire horses and she proudly introduced us to a two week old foal and told us of expeditions into the field with a lamp in the middle of the night to make sure the birth went ok.
We then walked along the beck and across fields to what for conservationists was a special moment. We walked into an old fashioned meadow full of wild flowers and grasses. This particular area has not seen chemicals in ten years and is cut regularly for hay in the time honoured tradition that allows plants to drop seed for future years. The hay must be a sweet treat for animals in the winter months.
A tasty treat awaited our return to the farm house. Mugs of tea and slices of chocolate cake and curd tart disappeared in short time. Some of our party stayed on to visit the museum and complete a fascinating evening.
Kate was a most gracious hostess and I heartily recommend everyone to visit 'The Old Farmyard Ripley' (01423 770137). Young and old will find the past and present of farming informative and fascinating.
Pamela M