Newborn lambs arrive in St Albans at Oaklands College lambing weekend

A student with a lamb. (Image: Archant)

Crowds flocked to the campus in Hatfield Road on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 to take part in lambing season and meet the newborns.

Some visitors were able to witness ‘live lambing’, as farm manager Del Knowles and the college’s agriculture students delivered the 14 lambs which were born while the barns were open to visitors.

A student with a lamb. (Image: Archant)

Agriculture students Ollie Dunn, from St Albans, and James Ryan delivered two female lambs from a Masham breed on Saturday afternoon, in front of the crowd. A video of the delivery was shared by Oaklands College on social media and has amassed 1,700 views over the weekend.

Some of the agriculture students are on call on campus during the day and night throughout the lambing period to assist with the births. About one third of the college’s 150 ewes are still to give birth to their lambs, and lambing season can run up to late April or early May.

Crowds at the lambing event. (Image: Archant)

Farm Manager Del Knowles said: “Now in its sixth year, our lambing event is a great chance to see our students step up and share their knowledge and passion for farming with our visitors.

“However we are a working farm and the reality is their experience is valued day in day out in helping me care for our animals.

“Lambing weekend is a great way to share a little of our world at Oaklands with the local community.”

As well as lambs, Oaklands College is also home to sheepdogs, goats, pigs, chicks and emus.

Oaklands chief executive and principal Zoe Hancock said: “It was great once again to welcome the local community to see such a valuable part of life at Oaklands.

“Thank you to our visitors but also our staff and students who give up their time to support a true community event.”