A Wonderful Open Day at Holme Farm
More than 150 people joined us for our recent Open Day at Holme Farm, held to celebrate both Great Big Green Week and Volunteers’ Week. The day was filled with community spirit, learning, nature and plenty of new connections, bringing together volunteers, supporters, local residents and first-time visitors from across the area.
Visitors enjoyed guided tours of Holme Farm and some memorable bird walks. Highlights included watching kestrels hunting over the fields, spotting a passing heron, and discovering a blackcap nest tucked away near the bridge. Moments like these showcased the rich wildlife that calls Holme Farm home and reminded us why protecting and enhancing this special place is so important.
Our popular bee talks attracted enthusiastic audiences throughout the day, while many visitors took the opportunity to explore the newly opened Wellbeing Trail. We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Runnymede, who officially opened the trail, along with local councillors Scott Lewis, Josh Brown and Chelsea, who came to see the progress being made at the farm and meet members of the community.
There was plenty of hands-on activity too, with visitors taking part in woodturning, woodworking and a variety of craft activities. It was wonderful to see people of all ages learning new skills, sharing ideas and enjoying time together.
One particularly special moment was meeting a visitor who told us he used to plough the fields in his tractor across this land in the 1950s. Hearing memories like these reminds us of the rich history of Holme Farm and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
The event raised an incredible £1,000 through donations, refreshments, sales of handmade crafts and woodturned items, and our honey from our own apiary. Every pound raised will help us continue our work to create opportunities for wellbeing, learning, conservation and community engagement. We were also thrilled to welcome many new volunteers, receive numerous offers of support and donations, and begin several promising new relationships with local individuals and organisations.
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors commented on the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, describing Holme Farm as a place where people feel comfortable, included and connected. We are incredibly grateful for those kind words and for the support shown throughout the day.
A huge thank you goes to all our volunteers, supporters, speakers and visitors who made the day such a success. The enthusiasm, generosity and encouragement shown throughout the day demonstrated just how much support there is for Holme Farm and its vision. Whether people came to enjoy nature, learn a new skill, meet new friends or simply explore the site, the Open Day showed the power of community coming together. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and sharing the next chapter of Holme Farm’s journey.