Events

Chairman’s Day at Pierrepont Farm, Frensham

12th May 2022, 10:30 - 15:30

 

Chairman’s Day

Thursday 12 May 2022

10.30 am – 3.30 pm

 

Our Chairman, Gordon Jackson, is pleased to invite you to an exclusive visit to Pierrepont Farm which is a 200 acre heathland dairy farm near Frensham, owned by the Countryside Restoration Trust (“CRT”) and let to farmer, Mike Clear. At the heart of Pierrepont is a working Jersey robotic dairy and a collection of historic Grade II listed farm buildings, surrounded by idyllic countryside and wildlife.

Pierrepont Farm is where tradition and technology work together. The cows have special ankle tags, which enable automatic milking. The farm has several different areas of woodland. Each has its own unique feature and they are all alive with wildlife. The woodland is managed for conservation by a team of CRT volunteers. We will be shown around the farm and the woodlands by two experienced guides and watch the cows milking.

After our tour of the farm, we will visit the Old Dairy, where CRT have restored disused dairy buildings into vibrant artisan business units. We will have a BBQ lunch provided by Craft Brews Brewery and Taproom, which will be open exclusively for the Society and will host a beer tasting (there will be alternatives for those who prefer a different refreshment).

To finish our lunch, we will enjoy a cheese tasting session with John from Cheese on the Wey who makes all his artisan cheeses at the Old Dairy using Jersey milk from the farm.

After lunch we will take a short walk to a wet meadow beside the River Wey, which runs through the farm. The meadow has been designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its important flora. The river is abundant with fish and other wildlife including some of the most beautiful dragonflies, which may be present depending on the weather. We will be joined by Glen Skelton, who is a wetlands project manager with Surrey Wildlife Trust and will talk to us about the ecology of the meadow and the river. There will then be an optional walk with Glen of about one hour to nearby Frensham Little Pond.

Cost to Members: £35.00
Cost to Non-members: £42.50

Part of the booking fee will be used to fund a donation to the Countryside Restoration Trust.

The BBQ lunch provided by Craft Brews Brewery and Cheese on the Wey are included in the cost.  Please indicate any food allergies in the comments box when booking.

This event is not designed for children and/or pushchairs. Those with mobility challenges are welcome but may choose not to join on the woodland walk.

Dogs are welcome but will need to remain on a lead for certain parts of the day.

Deadline for booking 5 May 2022.

Any enquiries please contact us at info@surreyhillssociety.org.

By continuing and making a booking you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Terms & Conditions specified in our Cancellation Policy and Responsibility Statement, both of which can be viewed by clicking here

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