European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Happiness is a warm Cash Register purrs one of the farm s felines. The farm s cashier is dressed Tike the storybook character Quot Dick this toddler gets a boost to get an up Fose took at one of the farm s Shire Saint Nick Down on the farm during Holiday season by Nancy i. Torner us Bureau the closer it gets to Christmas the harder it is for kids to contain themselves. But a Day out at the Wompole Hall Home farm near Arrington England is guaranteed to spend some of their pent up Energy. The farm is open in Winter from 1 . To 4 . On saturdays and sundays and special Holiday events including visits with Santa Claus Are planned each sunday until Christmas. Upon entering the farm you la meet Dick Whittington one of the pantomime characters being portrayed by farm employees. Whittington most Likely will be surrounded by several farm cats All of whom have been named after a Brand of Tea and All of whom appreciate a Pat on the head. Jack from Jack and the beanstalk also can be seen walking the grounds. And Santa Claus is seated on some Bales of Hay inside a Small tent next to a Manger occupied by two donkeys. All of Santa s Young visitors get a Candy bar. Visitors Are allowed to wander around the farm on their own but farm employees Are Happy to answer questions All of the animals Are accustomed to being petted but visitors Are asked not to feed the animals or to bother those that appear to want Solitude. Also care should be taken to protect guidebooks from the goats because these furry creatures love to eat paper said Shirley Hartshorn the visitors services manager. Befitting their Friendly natures every animal has a name which appears on a plaque in each stall. The plaque also lists the name of the Breed. The farm is part of the historic Wompole Hall estate off the a603 about 10 Miles Southwest of Cambridge. Parking for the farm is at Wompole Hall and Access to the farm itself is either by walking along a half mile path through the pleasure Cardens or by a horse drawn Wagon. Admission to the farm is 3.50 pounds about $5.30 for adults and 1.50 pounds about $2.30 for children. Wagon rides Are 60 Pence about 90 cents each Way. The rides Are boarded at the Wompole Hall stable lock next to Wompole Hall and in the farmyard. A the stable lock also is Worth a visit every sunday until Christmas when All employees and volunteers will be dressed in victorian costumes. Holiday activities will include a Barbecue mulled wine roasted chestnuts painting and origami demonstrations. The Royston town band will play Christmas music and the gift shop will be open. Stable lock hours Are from 11 . To 4 . Wompole Hall is closed during the Winter. Admission fees Are used toward Upkeep of the farm which does not receive Money to operate from the National Trust said Bernard Hartshorn the farm manager the National Trust which owns the Wompole Hall estate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic buildings. The farm also earns Money by Selling and Breeding its animals. Little is known about the original farm which was. Reconstructed in 1794 from plans by architect sir John Soane. Soane is Best known for his designs of country houses and the Bank of England. A Dairy and farmhouse were added in the 1860s. The 400-acre farm was in a Semi derelict state when the National Trust took it Over in 1976 to be used As a preservation Center for rare Breeds of farm animals. It took until 1982 for building repairs to be completed and for some additional buildings to be constructed that allowed the farm to operate. Ameron Tavs Mccreadie stares open mouthed at the Man with a White Beard and red suit. 4 stripes Magazine december 16, 1993
