65415 - RiponFarmServices - 8th.pdf 1 11/08/2017 12:33:28
Kiln Farm
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Ripon Farm Services are proud suppliers to Kiln Farm
home of the Nidderdale Llamas
K
AT LAST, A LUCKY BREAK
Then came a lucky break
- they were put in touch with
a lady called Mary Pryce in
Northampton who had trekked
llamas for 30 years. So they
bought Harry, Morgan and
youngster IKE along with an
alpaca and two more. Rather
sadly, Larry, the original llama,
was sold to a man in Ireland.
The trekking herd could
now begin in earnest. Time
now to start on the actual
centre. They successfully
applied for a grant from
Nidderdale AONB which
proved a great help .They
already had planning for the
new shed, and in the winter
of 2008 they dug all the
footings and foundations with
the aim of opening by April.
As well as the plan and build
of the shed etc the treks had
to be planned and known
inside out with respect for
the environment. Another
big consideration when you
have the public and children
involved is Health and Safety,
especially as they wanted
to provide catering and also
provide a small pet village for
children’s parties. Children
must be 7yrs to take part in
the family experience, and
although the trekking is
generally an adult activity,
children can book in from the
age of 10. Throughout all this
process Suzanne managed to
continue working full time!
But in 2009 she reduced her
hours and by April – yes they
were ready to open – Suzanne
even did her own website. In
March 2009 she was made
redundant and had to re-apply
for her job. It seemed like a
sign so she decided to leave
– everybody said she must be
mad but she went ahead.
So on 3rd April 2009
Nidderdale Llamas was open
for business with just three
llamas trekking. Very soon
they extended the treks so
they needed more llamas
and so off they went back to
Northampton.
Very soon Suzanne found
out doing llama trekking is no
easy business. Llamas are very
friendly but sensitive - some
don’t like men, some don’t
like women and some don’t
like kids - and sometimes they
don’t like the routes! Suzanne
realised she would have to do
a lot more research but says
that the British Llama society
and Mary Pryce in particular
have been an invaluable help.
Mary even came to stay for
two weeks and proved a huge
help.
Suzanne never realised how
difficult it would all be but her
passion and drive - and love
of the animals kept her going.
Into the second year things
were so tight it looked as
though she was going to have
to get a job again; however ,
she felt that was not the right
way forward so they cut back
the farm and increased the
number of staff.
In 2011 they bought more
alpacas (Gary, Ant and Dec!)
mainly because people
were asking for them. They
now have nine llamas doing
the trekking. Every animal
answers to its own name –I
know because I met a few of
them and they all have their
own characters. They often
get invited to do weddings
now all dressed up in Peruvian
costume with their wedding
specialist “Chester” quite
often alongside “Gary Barlow”
the alpaca!
In 2010 someone put them
on TripAdvisor and they shot
from 17th to 12th of leisure
activities in Harrogate. By
September 2012 they were
at number one – where they
have stayed!
www.farmers-mart.co.uk Autumn 2017 33