JUST a few hours into the New Year and the first Sparsholt College lambs arrived.

Shepherd John Garrett welcomed twin arrivals on the first day of 2015 and he, with a team of agriculture students are busy awaiting the remaining arrivals which are scheduled for the college’s annual Lambing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25.

The college’s big barn doors will be open from 9.30am-3.30pm for visitors to enjoy the 249 ewes lambing at close quarters. A total of 471 lambs are expected in total comprising one set of quads, 28 sets of triplets, 163 sets of twins and 57 singles.

For many, the Lambing Weekend is the first and perhaps the only time they get to see an actual live birth and, as John Garrett says: “We regularly have visitors who come back year-on-year as there aren’t many opportunities for the general public to get this close to nature.”

To ensure everyone gets a good view, there will be pen-side walkways and a large video screen. In addition to welcoming the lambs there will be pony rides, children’s craft activities (including metal sculpting), quizzes and puzzles, tractor and trailer rides, and tractors and farm machinery to explore.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Admission costs £6 per adult and £3.50 per child (age three to 16 years), under 3s are free. Two adults and two children (aged three to 16) can purchase a family ticket for £16.00.

Sparsholt College is perfectly safe for children and adults. However, we advise that all visitors wash their hands after touching any animals or areas where animals live, in accordance with the instructions at the farm. Dogs are not permitted and it is college policy that dogs are not left in vehicles.

Tickets can be bought on the day but for more details visit sparsholt.ac.uk.

n Health warning: It is vitally important that pregnant women do NOT attend this event. With lambing flocks there is always a risk of disease presence, which can cause miscarriage.