Animals are the attraction at Gunwalloe farm open day (From Falmouth Packet)

Animals are the attraction at Gunwalloe farm open day

7:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Helston

In the region of 500 people enjoyed farm-based frolics on Sunday when Chyvarloe Farm opened its gates for a free family fun day. The 300-acre National Trust holding near Gunwalloe is based on the Penrose Estate.

Paul Parfitt, who runs the farm with his partner Charlotte, said: “It was excellent. Everybody had a wonderful day. We had so many kids there – that was the best thing about it. We couldn’t have asked for better really.”

Dads had a go at ploughing while mums visited mini farmers’ market and children took part in animal mask making laid on by the National Trust. Storyteller Mark Harandon enthralled entire families with his Cornish tales, before they got some exercise by following the farm trail that took them out as far as Loe Bar.

The stars of the show were the farm’s animals, including the famous Tweety the emu who caused a stir back in March when she escaped for a day on the beach. She was joined by Godfrey the turkey and a whole host of other cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks. There was also a tractor/machinery display and a working machinery demonstration.

Mr Parfitt added: “The aim of it was to inform people what happens on a farm and the farming process. I think the best way to do that is, rather than tell people, say ‘Come and have a look’. We just opened our gates and let people have a look.”

He said the National Trust had been “brilliant” with the activities it organised. This was the second open day hosted by the farm and there have been clamours from visitors for the Parfitts to hold an Easter event next spring. Mr Parfitt said they would look into this, but it would be an addition to the late summer event that will take place in 2013.