This year, the Norwich and District Goat Club (NDGC) and the Norfolk Smallholder Training Group were asked to jointly showcase goats and smallholding at the Open Farm Sunday event, much like we did back in 2019. After a conversation with Richard about an entirely unrelated matter, he asked if I could represent the Anglo Nubian breed. I hesitated for a moment but agreed, on the condition that it didn’t involve reversing my trailer.
With that settled, I decided to bring along my bottle baby, Tiggywinkle. At the time, I was fairly certain she would still fit in a large crate, and being a bottle baby, I knew she’d be a hit with the public, soaking up all the attention she could get.
Once Tiggy was safely settled in her crate with plenty of fresh-cut willow, my daughter and I set off, knowing we were in for a good day – and the event truly delivered on that promise.
Upon our arrival at Gressenhall, the staff were incredibly helpful, pointing us in the right direction where we found the NDGC gazebo and pens already set up and awaiting the precious goats. (Thankfully, no reversing was needed!).
The day brought together a wonderful variety of breeds across the pens, including Alpine, Anglo Nubian, Boer, British Saanen, Golden Guernsey, and Pygmy goats. It was fantastic to see such a diverse representation of the goat world in one place.
The weather was sunny, though with a chilly breeze, a reminder that next time I must pack an extra layer of clothing! I’m already hoping we’ll be back for the event next year, and it would be wonderful to see even more breeds represented.
Events like these are an excellent way to socialise with fellow members of the goat club, learn something new, and, of course, see our beloved goats up close. I strongly encourage other members to get involved when Richard, hopefully next year, calls for goats and keepers for future events. The more breeds we can showcase, the better!
Once the gates opened, I asked Richard what the protocol was for the day, as this was my first such event. His simple response was that there wasn’t one – just to enjoy yourself. It was the perfect advice, and I couldn’t have asked for more. I felt confident leaving Tiggy in good hands, knowing that fellow members were keeping an eye on her and would call me if anything went wrong.
Open Farm Sunday events are an excellent way to engage the public and give them a glimpse into the efforts involved in modern British agriculture – efforts that are often unseen but essential to putting food on our plates. Gressenhall Rural Life Museum and Workhouse provides an ideal setting to highlight this. Walking through the museum and looking at the old farming equipment on display certainly makes you appreciate how far we’ve come and how much easier our lives are in 2022 compared to those of our ancestors. It’s a humbling experience that leaves you with a deep appreciation for the hard work and ingenuity that has shaped modern farming and smallholding.
Looking forward to next year’s event, and I hope to see even more members and goats there!
The Norwich and District Goat Club 