Farm’s harvest celebrations mark autumn’s arrival

This harvest weekend at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm (Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September) sees a range of additional activities and seasonal happenings added to the daily programme.

Smells of baking will drift across the farmyard from the Bailiff’s Wife’s kitchen as she prepares the last of the food on the Saturday. The cart will be dressed, while others busy themselves with all the little jobs that make harvest special.

Sunday morning on the farm will see more cooking in the cottage, alongside the sprucing up of the horses and the Morris side “Clerical Error” will also be dancing.

At 3.00pm, all workers, visitors and the Agricultural Chaplain meet at the New Barn for the procession, which weaves its way down the main track to the farmyard and back, celebrating the harvest in all its forms. The day is rounded off with the harvest repast, a mini-feast of home-made scones, bread and jam, lemonade and more.

Cllr Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“Events such as harvest help us to understand the different farming seasons, as relevant today as in the past, and also give us more opportunity to understand where our food comes from. The facilities and activities run at the farm offer a great-value trip out for residents or visitors who want to have fun and learn something new too.”

Even at this stage in the farm’s open season, there is merit in using the 2013 day-ticket-to-season-pass conversion deal. After harvest, there are still 36 open days through to the end of the season – including threshing each end of half term.

The last day of the Acton Scott Historic Working Farm 2013 is Sunday 3 November 2013. The farm is open Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4.30pm, weekends, 10.30am – 5pm.

Day tickets are priced £9.50 for adults, £9.00 for seniors and £6.00 for children aged 4 to 17. Under 4s are admitted free of charge. Day tickets can be converted to season passes for free on day of purchase.

There is a shop and café and plenty of free parking. For more info go to www.actonscottmuseum.com or call 01694 781307. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.