A group of students in front of a tractor with sheep in reindeer antlers
Our Agriculture, Animal Care and Horticulture students took centre stage at the Christmas Fair held at our Wigfield Farm campus, with students showcasing the animals, running interactive sessions including a Christmas scavenger hunt and selling handmade items.
Students organised and set up various activities for the public to enjoy, including a Christmas colouring station, Santa’s workshop and a nativity scene. The public also had a unique opportunity to get a photo with a donkey at the ‘Donkey Selfie Station’ where the donkeys were dressed in festive attire.
A donkey at the farm dressed in a red festive coat
There were also talks throughout the day about some of the most-loved animals at the farm, including the rabbits, meerkats, guinea pigs and chickens. Students spoke to the public about the animals using the knowledge they gained from studying at the farm.
Three Animal Care students with the chickens during the Chicken Talk
Interactive sessions ran throughout the event in the farm’s exotics room. Here, the public got to meet insects and reptiles, including snakes, giant cockroaches, stick insects and the blue tongued skink.
There was a sheep parade twice during the day, with Agriculture and Animal Care students displaying the farms’ sheep and showcasing their weeks of preparation with halter training and animal behaviour.
A group of students with sheep in reindeer antlers
Horticulture students used their knowledge of plants and soil to create vibrant floral hanging baskets, bird boxes and insect houses which were sold at the event.
Animal charities, including Royston Hedgehog Rescue, Sheffield Cat Shelter, Thornberry Animal Sanctuary and Buttons Cat Rescue, all attended the event with stalls for the public to raise money for their relative charities.
Three students selling animal prints at the Christmas Fair created by the animals at the farm
Peter Wood, Head of Department for Land-based Industries at Barnsley College, added: “I am extremely proud of every student for their hard work, passion and determination in running the day.
I’m overwhelmed by the level of support our students received from their friends, family and the local community. Thank you to everyone who visited our Christmas Fair. We are already planning the Spring event, so keep your eyes peeled on Facebook or Instagram for the date being revealed!”
Barnsley College offers a range of full and part-time vocational courses and apprenticeships in Animal Care and Horticulture. For more information, visit the department pages, or alternatively, contact the Information Team by emailing info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.
Please note – the College is closed between Thursday 21 December and Monday 8 January, so any enquiries submitted in this period will be acknowledged in the week commencing 8 January.
Last updated: 21st December 2023
Originally posted on: 21st December 2023