Lambourne lambing

Thanks to funding from the Local Network Fund, London members were able to take children from their projects to the Lambourne End Outdoor Centre to see lambing in action in 2007.

Three lambs were born over the weekend, including twins who arrived very early in the morning, helped into the world by Tommy Gallagher from Brooks Farm, and Liz Ellison from Wellgate Farm.

A total of 32 children from seven London farms spent the weekend learning about lambing and other activities including felt making from wool.

Professor John Fishwick and Yoav Alony, a clinical practitioner from the University of London, gave a fascinating workshop on delivering lambs and kids, using two simulation boxes wittily named Bertha and Fanny.

There were also question and answer sessions for the children with two of the London fieldworkers, John Langan and Tony Sharps.

Sheep have been domesticated for about 10,000 years, and it was heartening to see young people showing so much interest in such an elemental part of human history, with the help of such inspiring educators.

All the children were satisfied with their experience (despite a few moans about having to get up early in the morning!) Many said they had learned a lot, made new friends and had fun.

- Thanks to Pamela Troni, a volunteer, for providing images of the weekend.