Creatures of all colours and sizes welcomed thousands of visitors from across the South East to Caldermeade Farm and Cafe as part of its last market for the year, celebrating all things Christmas. Gazette photographer STEWART CHAMBERS was out and about capturing the cheery critters, as well as the various stallholders at the market.
BREAKOUT QUOTE: “The market was the biggest we’ve ever had.”
A flock of chickens, a warren of rabbits and a herd of cows greeted thousands of visitors looking for unique Christmas gifts as part of Caldermeade Farm and Cafe’s Christmas market.
Market coordinator Karen Thomson said the market on Saturday 16 December was the biggest market ever, with 68 stalls selling their wares, more than double the usual amount of stallholders.
The car park was overflowing.
“The markets ranges from resin artworks to jewellery.
“We had lots of handmade stuff.”
Ms Thomson said a number of animals were on hand to meet with visitors of all ages, including baby Jersey calves, chickens, goats, lambs, ducks and donkeys, as well as a milking demonstration at 2.30pm.
“Part of why our market stands out is we have rabbits, chickens, Scottish Highland cattle, alpacas and deer,” she said.
“It’s all free to get in.”
Members of the public can hop on a tractor tour which takes you right to the paddock itself, where some very excited cows are just waiting to say hello.
With hundreds of milk-producing Jersey cows on the property, there’s plenty of furry faces to get to know and it’s an experience you certainly won’t forget.
For those that want to see the milking process in action, a viewing platform above the dairy provides the perfect bird’s eye view come milking time and the farm’s small “museum” shares a snapshot of the land’s rich history.
A number of products are also available direct, including Jersey milk, goat milk, cheese butter, yoghurt, ice cream and flavoured milk.
Caldermeade Farm Group general manager Grant McConkey said the farm was also excited to unveil a new viewing window for cafe customers to have a peek into the milking process in real time early next year.
“The public can actually see how the milk gets transferred into different products,” he said.
Caldermeade Farm and Cafe is open Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm, with the monthly market on the third Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm.
