This the Moreton Show team are excited to announce that Attwell Farm Park will be joining them at the event, a favourite of the local community, for the very first time on 7th September.
The award-winning attraction, usually based at Beoley in Worcestershire, will be bringing along an abundance of different animals for visitors to pet, love and learn all about at Moreton Show 2024.
Stuart Mace, Show Chair says: ‘The Moreton Show team has listened to its visitors and packed in even more fun for the family this year.’
Attwell Farm Park has won TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, Visit Worcestershire’s Tourism Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2023/4 and Muddy Stiletto’s Best Family Attraction 2023/4 throughout Gloucestershire and Worcestershire – so it’s well worth a visit!
As farming is at the heart of Moreton Show - and always has been - the Society strives to champion British farmers and aims to educate visitors, especially the younger generations, about the importance of the people who work in the agricultural industry.
Indeed, in 2024 the team have ensured that education is at the heart of the Show, to inspire even more children and young adults to consider a profession in the ag industry. Stuart continues: ‘The accredited official statics issued by the government in September 2023, highlighted that 35% of the principal farmers and holders were aged 65 or older, only 16% were under 45 years old. So, in 2024 we welcome the award winning Attwell Farm Park to the stage to try to close that gap and encourage the younger generation to join us.’
Oliver Arundel, Attwell Farm Park, says: ‘Shows like the Moreton Show are fantastic opportunities for families to learn all about British farming and animals.’
Attwell welcome over 200,000 families a year, to their usual site in Beoley, allowing visitors to meet over 80 species: from newborn lambs, pigs and alpacas to more exotic creatures like the world’s largest spider and poison dart frogs. They also host educational visits for schools and offer unique animal experiences allowing visitors to engage in interactive encounters, feeding sessions and immersive learning experiences. Open farms like Attwell give the public a fantastic opportunity to get up close to farm animals and learn where our food comes from.
Attwell Farm Park started with a few chickens and Farmer Mike selling eggs door-to-door on his push bike to neighbouring villages. From these humble beginnings, Mike grew into one of the top poultry producers in the UK, specialising in Christmas turkeys. Since then, Mike has moved away from poultry, however he continues to farm his pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle and Suffolk sheep.
In 2017, the first year they diversified and became a small open farm, they welcomed 1,813 visitors, only employed a handful of staff but they were committed to offering educational farm experiences to anyone who walked through the gate. Fast forward to 2024, they now employ over 40 members of staff, facilitate work placements for local schools, colleges, neurodiverse groups and local organisations. Although Attwell Farm Park has grown immensely in the past seven years, Farmer Mike’s mission to encourage anyone and everyone to enjoy a really, hands on farm experience has not wavered.
Oliver continues, saying: ‘We're thrilled to be part of the Moreton-In-Marsh Show 2024! Visitors will have the chance to meet some of our family favourite animals, including our charming alpacas, miniature ponies, pygmy goats, the world's largest spider, and incredible insects from the rainforest. ‘
You will find Farmer Mike and the Attwell team in the Farmtastic Area at Moreton Show on 7th September, along with an interactive mini version of his farm, including lots of amazing animals and creatures. Visitors can expect to see the animals up close, from the world's largest spider and stick insects, to Shetland ponies, alpacas, pygmy goats, giant rabbits and Obi, the baby foal. Esther Watts, Attractions Secretary says: ‘We are very excited to be having this brand-new feature be joining us on Show Day. I think it is extremely important all children get to meet and learn about farm animals, and what better place to do that than Moreton Show!’
In addition, in the Farmtastic Area you will find the Oxford Sandy & Black Pig Society. Visitors will probably have seen these beautiful pigs on the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm. They have grown quite popular in recent times, although they were on the brink of extinction twenty years ago, but thankfully dedicated farmers managed to continue the breeding. They are lovely animals with their gorgeous rusty coat and big black spots, you will definitely want to go say hi!
There will also be Claas pedal-operated ride on tractors, Wye Valley Falconry and much, much more in the fun Farmtastic Area!
Pop the date in your diary – Saturday 7th September 2024 – and buy your tickets now: www.moretonshow.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Moreton Show
- ● Moreton Show was first held in 1949, on the same site it has occupied ever since - part of the Batsford Estate - although it has been much extended over the years. Its underlying purpose is to improve the standard of farming and farm crafts locally. This zeal for improvement was at the core of the three societies which merged to form the present Moreton-in-Marsh Show Society - the Cotswold Agricultural Society, The Moreton Shire Horse Society and the Moreton-in-Marsh and District Agricultural Society.
- ● The date of the first ever show was fixed for Saturday September 3rd and the show has been held in early September ever since. The Show has now grown so large that it attracts visitors from all over the country.
- ● The remarkable thing about Moreton Show, and something that is not commonly known, is how many volunteers are involved, not just on Show Day, but throughout the whole year. In a way it is this joint effort that makes the Show have a different feel to some of the other bigger shows.
- ● There is a real sense of the whole community coming together to enjoy a day out and share interests and experiences. Almost all the town gets involved in one way or another and competitions are held amongst the shops on the High Street.
- ● This year we hope to have more flags up than before so the stage will be set, ready for Show Day!
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Attwell Farm Park
Since 1963, our farming roots have been firmly planted in Beoley, Worcestershire. It all began with Farmer Mike, who started by selling eggs door-to-door on his push bike to neighbouring villages with just a few chickens. From these humble beginnings, we grew into one of the top poultry producers in the UK, specialising in Christmas turkeys. While we no longer produce poultry, we continue to farm pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle and Suffolk sheep to this day.
In August 2017, we took a leap and officially diversified into a small open farm with a handful of animals and a team of just four dedicated individuals, placing educational farming experiences at the heart of our mission. That year, we welcomed 1,813 visitors.
Fast forward to 2024, we have grown into an award-winning children's farm park, welcoming over 200,000 families a year. Visitors can encounter over 80 species, from newborn lambs, pigs, and alpacas to exotic creatures like the world's largest spider and poison dart frogs. We host educational visits for schools, offer unique animal experiences, and organise exciting events during holiday periods. Engage in interactive encounters, feeding sessions, and immersive learning experiences.
As of June 2024, we employee over 40 staff members and continues to grow. We proudly facilitate work placements and experiences for local schools, colleges, neurodiverse groups, and local organisations. Our aim is to provide an environment where students and adults with diverse abilities can enhance their skills and boost their confidence within a visitor and animal setting.
Enjoy year-round fun with our giant indoor soft play area, jumping pillows, and outdoor play spaces, including our new inclusive sand play area. Experience seasonal family entertainment, from Pirates in the summer to our inclusive, one-of-a-kind Father Christmas Experience.
In March 2024, we won the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year award, building on our previous accolade of Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2022. Additionally, we have been recognised as the Best Family Attraction in Worcestershire & Gloucestershire by Muddy Stilettos for two consecutive years.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your wellies and come on down to the farm for endless family fun!
For further information please contact:
Ruby Edwards, PR Consultant, You Do Better PR
Tel: 07891 777464
Email: ruby@youdobetter.co.uk
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