Waterlogged fields have forced Oaklands College to organise a free park and ride service for its annual lambing weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
A spokeswoman explained that paddocks at the college’s campus in Hatfield Road, Smallford, had not yet had a chance to dry out because of regular rainfall over winter, so “unfortunately we can only provide limited onsite parking this year due to our fields being waterlogged”.
She said that onsite parking was likely to fill up quickly so visitors were recommended to use a free park and ride service running from the nearby University of Hertfordshire’s College Lane campus (AL10 8HS) in Hatfield.
The service will run every 30 minutes from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The journey takes around 10-15 minutes.
Visitors can see live lambing and meet plenty of other animals on the farm, including cows, goats, pigs and Oaklands’ resident sheepdogs.
Other attractions include a farm trail, farmers market, donkey rides and access to the college’s Animal Care Centre, where guests can meet and handle a wide range of animals from reptiles to rabbits.
Younger guests can enjoy a range of activities such as mini steam train rides, face painting, arts and crafts, carpentry games, fun fair, basket weaving, pony grooming, soft play area and puppet shows.
Hot and cold refreshments will be available across the weekend.
Tasha, one of Oaklands’ Toggenburg goats, gave birth to triplets last week, two girls and a boy.
The Toggenburg breed originates from Switzerland and is considered the oldest registered breed, registered in the 1600s. They are known for their gentle and friendly nature.
The spokeswoman added: “We also had another litter of British Saddleback piglets born last Thursday (3). Mum and all 10 piglets are doing well.”
Lambing Weekend runs from 10am till 3pm both days.
People are invited to take part in a competition over the weekend, to name Oaklands’ British White calf.
A second calf is due any day, so the college may end up looking for names for two calves, and the winning name(s) will be chosen next Monday.
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