MORE than 250 people visited Langford Lakes Christmas tree farm at Langford Budville as part of Open Farm Sunday.

The event, the farming industry’s national open day, helped raise £345 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Nick Hendy, from the tree farm, at Middle Hill Farm in Langford Budville, said: “We were delighted to be supporting Open Farm Sunday for the third time and the event was again a huge success.

“People who visited us were able to find out all about how we farm Christmas trees and also how we help and attract wildlife to the farm.

“During the day, people could also walk our Christmas tree plantations and see the trees mid-growth when they are a pale green colour. Visitors could also stroll through our woods and bring a picnic to enjoy by our lakes.

“We also held a range of activities to entertain children such as creating a Christmas bauble and taking part in a treasure hunt around the plantation. To add to this, we also hosted a craft fair and 18 local crafters attended and each donated a prize to our raffle in aid of our Charity of the Year, CHSW.

“With the raffle and refreshments, we were delighted to raise £345 for the charity, so thanks to everyone who donated to such a worthy cause.”

The Langford Lakes team were also on hand during the day to answer any questions people had about the plantation.

Nick added: “Our Open Farm Sunday event was a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to discover first-hand what it takes to run our Christmas tree farm. We can’t wait to take part again next year.”

Open Farm Sunday, managed by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), is one of the farming industry’s biggest success stories. Since the first Open Farm Sunday in 2006, more than 1,500 farmers across the UK have opened their gates and welcomed 1.8 million people onto their farm for one Sunday each year.

Nick added: “We’re based on 40 acres and a woodland runs the length of the plantations, either side of a stream. This area is home to a multitude of plants and wildlife, in particular rare lesser spotted orchids, deer and occasionally otters.”

Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm, which is well-known for its home grown, freshly cut Christmas trees, is a family run farm located close to the nature reserve Langford Heathfield, a mile outside of Langford Budville.

The farm is owned and run by Reg and his wife Ann and their two sons and daughters-in-law, Shaun, Trudy, Nick and Clare. The family has been growing and selling Christmas trees for more than 20 years.

For more information about the farm, please visit www.langfordlakes.co.uk, follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LangfordLakes or log on to www.facebook.com/LangfordLakes

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