The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2020 - Issue 68 | Page 57

GLEDHILL FARM 57
• APR/MAY 2020
wet weather room, complete with tables,
chairs, comfy settee, hot and cold water
and rounded off by a fabulous wood
burning stove which keeps you warm as
toast!
So what exactly is on offer
now at Gledhill Farm?
Alpaca trekking - there is an established
track which takes a leisurely hour to get
around, allowing for feed stops, ques-
tions, and they do like to have a roll in
and eat the grass. The treks are for both
children and adults alike. They even have
hen parties booked in.
The alpacas are light-footed animals
and docile, so are suitable for young
children as well. Each one is halter
trained and the treks are fully supervised.
Alpacas are delightful, friendly animals
and you can hear their happy squeaks as
they talk to one another.
Children’s parties can be catered for,
they can meet and get up close with all
the animals, and usually after they have
had time with the animals, they come into
the warm room to do arts and crafts.
The alpacas are great for people with
learning difficulties etc and are very
therapeutic generally.
They now run excellent children’s
parties with the ponies called ;Pacapony
children’s parties; the ponies are always
well-manicured and are spruced up for
the visitors with hair extensions and a bit
of glitter. They are not for riding though.
Would you believe it, two of the
alpaca’s fame is growing, as they have
been booked for a wedding in August
- and will be sporting dicky bows of
course!
Another barn has been converted into
a small indoor arena, where both ponies
and alpacas can be walked round and
be set small obstacle courses to be led
around.
Fiona said to me that she just loves
to see the smiles on everyone’s faces
once they have met and interacted
with the animals. For some children,
this is often the first time they have met
and touched live animals and even for
some, the first time they have been in
a field!
Steve, Fiona and Katie have put an
enormous amount of hard work into
the venture, working 24/7 -farm by day,
admin and planning at night, and with no
holidays since they started. They have
ploughed most of the money straight
back into the business, however such is
their level of enjoyment and satisfaction it
is just great fun, and you can tell that just
by talking to them.
Whether it’s parties or treks, all are
by appointment only and your whole
experience can be tailor-made to what
you want – you just have to ask.
I asked Steve and Fiona, “What about
their future plans? “I said … given that
they are always thinking.
Quick as a flash they both responded,
they have land reaching right up to
Castle Hill and intend to get some
llamas so that they can do longer and
more involved treks. There are plans
for a small café to further enhance the
experience and a shop to buy special
souvenirs of the day. However, as ever,
this will be well thought out, planned and
developed slowly.
The Therapeutic characteristic of the
Alpaca’s is being developed further,
all being well later this year the official
launch of the “ Castle hill care farm” will
take place- this will be the branch of the
business solely catering for people with
special needs.
Without a doubt, the business will
continue to grow and develop further. A
visit to see and experience these won-
derful, happy animals and also meet the
enthusiastic Griffiths family is surely a
must, and we wish them well.