Farm from the madding crowd

FREE CITY HAVEN FOR ANIMALS NEEDS SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER

- By CONAILL CORNER ECHO Reporter

Sean feeds some of the farm's friendly sheep

RICE Lane City Farm has been part of Walton for more than 40 years - but those behind it say it's never far from closing.

The farm, on Rawcliffe Road, off Rice Lane, is home to cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs, horses, rabbits, birds and more.

One of its goats, Pumpkin, recently celebrated her 14th birthday. The site is open to the public from 10am until 3.30pm, seven days a week, and there's no charge for admission.

As well as allowing visitors to meet and feed the animals, the farm also offers a woodland walk which gives people the opportunity to see and hear wildlife they might not encounter elsewhere in Liverpool.

Trustee and charity secretary Sean Jarman said: "Our mantra is to offer a combination of things. Firstly, a bit of exposure into what goes on with food production and farming.

"Secondly, we're fantastic for people's mental health - right in the middle of Walton, which is not a wealthy part of Liverpool.

"Most of what we do is free, and we fundraise to drive that. If we weren't able to fundraise, we would shut down."