The newsletter of the National Farm Attractions Network Issue 68 Autumn 2016

This year’s roadshow tour took in adiverse range of attractions across theNorth East of England. Starting inDurham, attendees spent the firstafternoon at Hall Hill Farm, where AnnDarlington and her son Richard gave awelcome talk. Ann and Richard’senthusiasm shone through the drizzle ofthe day and delegates were left in nodoubt why so many schools visit Hall Hillyear after year. After checking in to ourhotel, there was just enough time tomake use of Ramside Hall’s superb spafacilities before a delicious networkingdinner.

Tuesday morning dawned bright and sunnyas NFAN members boarded the coach forthe first stop of the day, Adventure Valley.Marco and Janine Calzini and managerRichard Garthwaite gave an insightfulpresentation charting Adventure Valley’srapid growth. There was just enough time tovisit all the different indoor and outdoor playareas and animal barns before we had toleave for our next destination. Beamish, theliving history museum of the North, covers anarea of over 300 acres. We were met bySeb Littlewood, head of rural life, where we

saw old farm machinery, buildings and aschool group baking in the 1940s themedFarm House. It was impossible to see all ofBeamish in an afternoon and manymembers vowed to make a return visit. Weleft Beamish, stopping off at The Angel ofThe North for a quick photo opportunity,arriving at our hotel next to The Baltic inNewcastle/Gateshead on the banks of theTyne. There was time to see the art exhibitionat The Baltic, or explore the local bars beforeheading to the rooftop restaurant at TheBaltic for a fabulous dinner with a view.

Day three saw an early start and a visit toEshottheugh Animal Park. An enchanting mixof farm animals and more exotic species.We were welcomed by Maxine Bradley whogave an enlightening tour of the animalpark, which is continuing to evolve andexpand. There was time for some finalquestions, a cup of tea and some deliciousBritish beef jerky before we boarded thecoach. Our final destination on the NorthEast Tour was The Alnwick Garden. Head ofGarden Operations Trevor Jones, broughtthe gardens to life with his depth ofknowledge and passion for planting.

Thanks to all the venues who hosted us, tothe NFAN farm members and trademembers on the tour who shared their goodhumour and their own experiences. Thankstoo to Davies & Co who sponsored the NorthEast Roadshow. We are now planning 2017events so if you have suggestions of wherenext year’s roadshow tour could be headingplease get in touch.

AN ANGEL OF A TOUR

31 Jan - 2 FebruaryHilton Metropole, Brighton

We’re heading to the southcoast for the 2017 NFANconference and trade show.We’ve got a spectacular line-upfor you. Tickets and trade standswill go on sale in the autumn atwww.farmattractions.net.

Tuesday 31st January1.00pm - 5.00pmAfternoon visit to Fishers Farm Park7.30pmInformal networking dinner

Wednesday 1st February10.00am - 3.00pmOpen day at Knockhatch AdventurePark6.00pm - 8.00pmTrade show and drinks reception8.00pmAnnual dinner and awards

Thursday 2nd February8.30am - 4.00pmTrade show and conference

2017 NFAN Conference

2016 diaryof events

Rand Farm Park open day,Lincolnshire Wednesday 5th October

Based just outside Lincoln, RandFarm Park opened in 1996 and hasgrown to become one ofLincolnshire’s major visitor attractionswith over 100k visitors annually. Hometo the UK’s first Sky Rider, it is apopular family destination that alsospecialises in education visits andoffers on-site residential programmesfor schools and groups. Arrive onTuesday 4th for free entry toWoodside Animal Park and anetworking dinner at the PetwoodHotel in the nearby village ofWoodhall Spa. Special NFAN B&B rateis available, see the NFAN website fordetails.

Visit NFAN at the FarmBusiness Innovation Show 9th and 10th November 2016,NEC Birmingham

The Farm Business Innovation Show isthe show designed for all farmers,smallholders, land owners, estatesand everybody withan interest in ruralbusiness, whoare looking fornew ways touse their landto bring inmore money.This is not anagricultural showwith farm machinery, plant andlivestock, but a farming business showwith new ideas, advice, suppliers andresources to make your business moreprofitable.

We’d love to see you at the show -www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

www.farmattractions.net Tel: 01904 615059

Awards success

Stand492

Health & Safety workshopWednesday 28th September

National Forest Adventure Farm,Staffordshire

Farm attractions

Auchingarrich Wildlife CentreBelmont Children's FarmClaythorpe Watermill & WildfowlGardensConifox Adventure ParkMabie Farm ParkMrs Dowsons FarmTatton Dale FarmThe Donkey SanctuaryThe Web Adventure ParkWiggleys Fun Farm

Trade members

Brosch Direct LtdCookie CrumblesMerac LtdNGF PlayOrchard PlaygroundsRay Hole ArchitectsUsborne Publishing

Mel steps downafter 25 yearsMelanie McAlpine is standing downas General Manager of FishersFarm Park after 25 years. She leavesto further her passion for healinganimals and to support herhusband Graeme who travels theworld as a top class televisioncameraman. Mel has been astaunch NFAN supporter over manyyears and we wish her well for thefuture.

CountryfileLIVE!

Cotswold Farm Park recently attendedCountryfile Live at Blenheim Palaceand delivered approximately 25% ofthe show content as ‘Adam’s Farm’.The first event of its kind, it was aresounding success with over 125,000visitors. Cotswold Farm Park took over400 farm animals, and invited farmersto join the Farm Park team to talk tothe public about farming, extendingto twitter with #AskTheFarmer. Theyundertook milking, shearing, livestockauctioneering and meat cut talks inthe livestock arena, with regularreminders to show goers to find theirlocal farm park and see morefarming action closer to home!

L-R: Ron Allen Silvergate Media, Andrew Wolfe WillowsActivity Farm, Thomas Merrington Penguin Ventures.

Enjoying the guided tour.

Congratulations to NFAN members whohave recently won awards.

Cattle Country Adventure Park were namedSmall Business of the Year and Stroud LifeBusiness of the Year. York Maze also enjoyeddouble success at the Visit York TourismAwards scooping the Family FriendlyExperience of the Year, while itsHallowScream event won Visitor Experienceof the Year. Mead Open Farm and AvonValley were both winners for their Halloweenevents in the Scarecon Awards. The NationalForest Adventure Farm were named MaizeMaze of the year in the Maize MazeAssociation awards. Fishers Farm Park andGodstone Farm were both winners of BestFamily Attraction in the Muddy Stilettosawards for Sussex and Surrey respectively.

In the British Farming Awards, Bluebell Dairyand Stockley Farm Park are both finalists inthe Large Diversification Innovator of theyear category, and The Ice Cream Farm is afinalist for the Digital Innovator award. TheNicholson Family at Cannon Hall Farm arefinalists in the Farmers Weekly DiversificationFarmer of the Year Award. We wish them allthe best of luck.

Business Rates Revaluation (April 2017)

and the Benjamin Bunny TreetopAdventure. Other features include theJeremy Fisher Music Pond, wherechildren can jump on lily pads tohear musical sounds and guess theinstruments, and the Mr. BouncerGreat Invention, a sensory gamingactivity to help them to learn aboutnumbers and colours in a fun andactive way.

Chief Executive of Willows, AndrewWolfe said: “This is somethingcompletely new for local families toenjoy – the first ever Peter RabbitAdventure Playground in the world!”

The playground has been built inpartnership with Silvergate Media, theco-producers and global licensingagent of the CGI animated TV series‘Peter Rabbit’, and NFAN trademember Lappset Creative.

PETER RABBITAdventure Playgroundopens

TM

The highly anticipated PETERRABBIT TM Adventure Playgroundofficially opened in April atWillows Activity Farm in StAlbans, Hertfordshire.

Over £1 million has been investedin developing the new playgroundand re-theming the site. Thecountryside setting surroundingWillows has been used to supportoutdoor climbing frames as wellas slides and rope walkways atthe Peter Rabbit Secret Treehouse

NFAN members spent a daydiscovering the benefits andchallenges of running a wildanimal park, compared to a farmpark. Bob O'Connor ManagingDirector of the Aspinall Foundationgave two inspiring andinformative presentations on thehistory and operation of Port

New members

Port Lympne Open Day- a walk on the wild side

Lympne Reserve and on the shortbreaks market for which they havewon many awards.

Then it was all aboard the African Safaritrucks for a guided tour, followed by achance to visit other areas on foot. Wewatched the Gorillas being fed, beforeretiring to The Mansion to enjoy our own

lunch. Ray Hole from Ray Hole Architectssparked much discussion with hispresentation ‘The Inside-Out & Upside-Down… Method to SuccessfulMasterplanning’.

Thanks to Port Lympne, to Ray HoleArchitects and Timberplay for sponsoringthe Open Day and to Kent Life and theRare Breeds Centre who opened theirdoors to NFAN members the day before.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA)will be setting a revised rateablevalue for your business to take effectfrom April 2017.

To assist each member NFAN ispleased to offer a specialist low cost

package service, by way of a“desktop valuation” of your rateablevalue from Davies & Co, CharteredSurveyors. This can then be used tocompare against any new rateablevalue assessment received from theVOA, particularly if you wish to appeal.

We would also refer you to the specificNFAN “Business Rates” resourcesguidance on the NFAN website, whichhas been provided by Davies & Co.

www.farmattractions.netinfo@farmattractions.netNetwork News is produced by leisure marketing

specialist Partners Leisure 105 The Mount, YorkT. 01904 610077 www.partners-group.co.uk

Helpline – free advice for NFAN members

Planning legislation and business ratesBarry Davies, Davies & Co. (CharteredSurveyors)Tel: 01536 524808Email: info@daviesandco.co.ukwww.daviesandco.co.uk

Specialising in planning legislationincluding change of use, enforcementnotices, advertising boards and businessrates appeals.

Health & Safety/Environmental HealthGuidanceRay Hipkin, Health & Safety PractitionerTel: 01844 353407Email: randkhipkin@btinternet.comwww.rayhipkin.co.uk

Exclusive insurance scheme for NFANmembersSteve Taylor, Marsh and CompanyInsurance BrokersTel: 0116 204 3400Email: staylor@marshcompany.co.ukwww.marshcompany.co.uk

Providers of competitive, specialistinsurance including unique coverextensions for E.coli outbreaks. We offer asite survey and full insurance needsassessment.

CateringChris Brown, Turpin Smale CateringConsultantsTel: 020 7620 0011Email: chris.brown@turpinsmale.co.ukwww.turpinsmale.co.uk

Advice on all matters catering includinghelp with increasing sales, improvingstandards and making margins.

We are FULL of ideas!From large projects to small, we do it all

CONTACT USt: +44 7762 124325

e: lesley@rupertolivers.come: rupert@rupertolivers.com

www.rupertoliversideasfactory.comwww.skyriderthrills.com

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CONTA t: +44 776

e: lesley@rupee: rupert@rupe

www.rupertoliverswww.skyrid

ACT US 62 124325

ertolivers.comertolivers.com

sideasfactory.comerthrills.com

NFAN CommitteeChairman Colin Evans Cantref Adventure Farm Tel: 07977 120533

Vice-Chair Richard Powell Park Hall Countryside Experience Tel: 01691 671123

Treasurer Richard Waring Rand Farm Park Tel: 01673 858904

Barry Davies Davies & Co Tel: 01536 524808

Matthew Heast Mead Open Farm Tel: 01525 852954

Lesley Knight Rupert Oliver’s Ideas Factory Tel: 07762 124325

Robert Nicholson, Cannon Hall Farm Tel: 01226 790427

All general enquiries should be directed to the NFAN office - tel: 01904 615059, email info@farmattractions.net.

Phil Pickersgill Innovative Leisure Tel: 07860 868104

Louise Possegger Spring Barn Farm Tel: 01273 488450

Tom Robinson, National Forest Adventure Farm Tel: 01283 533933

Sally Jackson, The Pink Pig Tel: 01724 854082

Steve Vinden Odds Farm Park Tel: 07841 562559

Andrew Wolfe Willows Activity Farm Tel: 01727 822106

As a NFAN member you are entitled to free advice from the following experts. Please limit your free calls to one per annum.The experts can advise you further, subject to their terms of business. You will find them all prepared to offer special rates forNFAN members.