Spring at Brogdale

Bumblebee walks and talks; This year (as well as our honey bee hives) we are working with the Bumble Bee Trust to help the public learn about bumble bees. There are lots of varieties and rare species are very fond of fruit trees. On our Brogdale bumble bee walks we are hoping to be lucky enough to find some of these on site. The public can join us on Brogdale Bumble Bee walks & talks throughout the summer at our events (Strawberry Fair, Cherry Fair and Apple Festival). There will also bee (!) special children’s bumble bee sessions for children in the school holidays – free to All Event pass holders. Picnic under the blossom – Celebrate Hanami Brogdale, home of the National Fruit Collection are to celebrate the spring blossom with a one day blossom event called Hanami Festival on Sunday 14^th April 2019 Hanami is a Japanese tradition which marks the start of the season by enjoying a picnic under the blossom trees (Sakura). The festival is planned around what generally constitutes the middle of the blossom period and is held in the ornamental orchard. Along with the opportunity to picnic under the blooming trees on ground mats, visitors can also take a blossom tour and enjoy authentic entertainment. A Japanese Tea Ceremony will take place throughout the day inviting visitors to view the artistic and ritualistic demonstration of serving tea. Additionally Japanese drumming and Iaijutsu demonstrations will be held offering a spiritual and cultural experience. While the ease and grace of traditional dancers will immerse you in the culture. Sushi demonstrations, calligraphy and origami crafts can be sampled along with the ancient arts of bonsai and Hapa Zome, flower pressing. Easter at Brogdale – ride the miniature railway to the Easter Egg Hunt The annual Easter event at Brogdale Farm, Faversham will take place on the 19, 20, 21 April 2019. The 2019 Easter celebrations will feature hatching chicks this year alongside the ever popular lambs, rabbits and piglets. Each year the range of animals gets bigger and to add falconry display to the event is going to be a great addition. As well as some beautiful owls, the falconry team will offer daily flying displays to show off the incredible skills the birds of prey possess. Gemma Raines, from Joes Bows Country Sports comments: “we thoroughly enjoy spring shows. It’s a real pleasure to get the birds into action and introduce the new birds for the season”. Incubated chicks will be hatching over the Easter period and our ‘Eggspert’ will be on hand to offer advice to any budding hen keepers. The spring, bottle fed lambs are always a treat and visitors can learn all about their journey and why orphan lambs are so common. Children will also get the opportunity to volunteer to feed the lambs which is always a popular endeavour. Lizzie will also be hosting talks on keeping pet rabbits at home. Faversham miniature railway will be running train rides all weekend through the orchards. Or, the tractor trailer will take the children up into the orchards for an egg hunt trailing through the blossoming trees. Found among the trees will be the Easter Bunny to help children complete the hunt and get a chocolate prize. Children can also enjoy free Easter crafts, face painting and storytelling from Usborne books from their new farmyard series. brogdalecollections.org