Fingers crossed for no fowl play at harvest festival (From Knutsford Guardian)

Fingers crossed for no fowl play at harvest festival

7:40pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

TATTON’S Home Farm animals will be wriggling into their Sunday best for Harvest Festival this weekend.

This annual festival, one of the farm’s favourites, will be held on Saturday and Sunday – but audience participation is required.

Visitors are invited to bring along their pets for the special ‘harvest blessings’, which take place on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, accompanied by the Preston Brook Brass Band. Peover-based minister Jackie Betts will give thanks for the season and bless the farm’s livestock and any other precious pets visitors bring along.

A number of special activities take place during the weekend, including duck racing with the farm’s rare breed Indian runner ducks.

The quick quackers on the starting blocks, such as Daffy the Devious and Jogging Jemima, have all been hatched at the farm. Farm manager Jayne Chapman said: “Our ducks are in prime running condition and ready for their moment of Tatton Olympic glory. We’re hoping for no fowl play – bets are on.

“Harvest Festival is always a really enjoyable weekend for the farm. It’s a great occasion for us to mark the end of a successful summer season and be thankful for all our healthy and happy animals.”

Throughout the weekend visitors will also be able to see traditional spinning displays and take part in a number of craft activities, including making corn dollies and scarecrows.

The Cheshire Guild of Woodturners will demonstrate traditional skills of pole lathing and wood-turning, and the traction engine will be running and on display.