Here at Living in… we are always waxing lyrical about the fact that we have so many fantastic places right here on our doorstep. And the Trimley Rural Activities Centre is no exception! Owner Roger Cosgrove, was only too happy to show us around.

 We spent a delightful hour meeting Roger’s growing family of animals including the pigs (our favourites being Penelope and Beyonce), sheep, Naomi the cow (who, Roger hopes, will calve by Christmas!), a host of friendly goats, and a crew of chickens and chicks. In search of a coffee, we pass several hutches of rabbits and guinea pigs, crowded by curious children.

 “I started this place in 2019,” Roger tells us. “I call it ‘Fun2Farm’ – which it is! Getting outside and being able to interact with animals is so beneficial to kids. If I had to sum up what we do here in just one word, I’d say: Experience. I like to think this is far more than a petting farm. Here, you get in amongst the animals, feed them yourselves, let them lick you, sniff you, build up some trust and form a bond. Some kids, for example, might spend five minutes amongst the chickens, but for others, it’s a job to get them out! I always say, you get out of your visit what you put into it. Respecting the animals is crucial.

 “I believe there’s just something about the connections we build with animals that are irreplaceable – my mind boggles that there are kids out there who’ve never had the chance to interact with animals before! I started work in education in 2000, after a career in the dairy farm industry.  I was at Otley College for many years, teaching farming and agricultural skills, before moving around other schools in the area. I did a lot of work with kids in PRUs (pupil referral units) and SEN children, who can experience sensory overload and struggled to learn in a traditional setting.

 “I always say there are really seven senses. The first five we all know: touch, taste, sight, smell and sound, but there are two others. These are, exploring your boundaries; and social skills, or learning to get along with other children. There’s a crying need for that at the moment. Children have been, understandably, the centre of their parents’ worlds over the past 18 months of lockdown. Now, suddenly being out in the big, wide world with other children bumbling into their space, it’s an entirely new kettle of fish. Here, we aim to provide somewhere kids can go at their own pace, where they can try something new with some gentle encouragement from us.

 “I’ve been thrilled with the feedback we’ve been getting so far,” adds Roger. “I’ve had families visit us from Clacton, and even Yorkshire! We’re close enough to Goslings café (our landlord) that mums and dads can enjoy a latte while their offspring are roughhousing on our toy tractors and diggers. There’s plenty to do here, so many people come for the day. We’ve got an arts and crafts area, ‘messy little farmer’ sessions for the little ones, and sessions in our sensory room aimed at those with SEN, such as autism. We also sell our own produce here, so you can even leave with something for dinner!”

*Check out Fun2Farm on Facebook to hear their latest news: www.facebook.com/fun2farmwithfarm2form

*Book up for Messy Little Farmer sessions at: www.bookwhen.com/messylittlefarmers

*If you’d like to contact Roger about organising a school trip, get in touch on either: 07841372169 OR cosgrove59@googlemail.com