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A new born lamb.

NOTHING warms the heart more than a new-born lamb and visitors to Sparsholt College this weekend may well be treated to the sight as lambing should be in full swing.

The agricultural college near Winchester will be open to the public on Saturday January 26 and Sunday January 27 for the fourth year running and visitors will be able to see their commercial sheep flock of 300 ewes as well as witnessing the normal shepherding activities as they take place over the weekend.

"The flock is due to begin producing lambs the week before, so lambing should be in full swing by the end of January," said shepherd John Garrett. "We would hope that anyone staying for an hour or two should see lambs being born but, nature being what it is, nothing is ever guaranteed.

John who will be working with the sheep while the birthing takes place, will be wearing a microphone so that he can keep visitors fully informed about what is going on.

And his work with the birthing, assisted by Sparsholt College students, will also be shown live on CCTV so that everyone gets a good view. "Whatever happens, happens," he commented, "and people will be able to see everything first hand".

As a Year of Food and Farming event, in addition to the lambing activity, there will be plenty of fun for all the family.

The Lambing Days are open from 9.30am to 3.30pm and cost £4 per adult, £2.50 per school-aged child or a £10 family ticket for two adults and two school-age children.

It is vitally important that any female thinking of going to the lambing weekend as a visitor should not attend if there is the slightest chance of her being pregnant. With lambing flocks, there is always a risk of a disease presence which can cause abortion in women.

12:32pm Thursday 24th January 2008

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