26 August 2010 - Rabbits galore!

'Traffic' our beautiful English Spot rabbit has given birth to a whopping NINE BABIES! This week they've begun moving out of her nest and into the rest of their play-pen for all the visitors to see. She has got 4 Albino, 2 Black & White, 2 Grey and 1 brown (who's a bit of a porker!). All of these will be ready for sale as pets once they reach 8 weeks old and are £30 each. We call baby rabbits 'kittens' and when they're first born their eyes are closed and they look like little pink sausages!

 

8 July 2010 -  Janey

I have worked at Fishers for nearly 4 years - initially I worked a couple of days a week on Marketing and Event Planning and now my youngest son is at full-time school, I have upped my hours and moved into the Shop and Reception.  Eddie is 6 years old now and goes to the school in the village and feels he is a lucky boy to not only have a mummy who works at Fishers Farm, but also a mummy who helps to run a toy shop!

I used to bring my eldest son Alex here when he was a little boy and now he is nearly 16, he has joined our team of 120 students, who work at the Farm during weekends and holidays. 

Working at Fishers has been a real career change for me, as up until having Eddie, I always worked in the health food industry in marketing and PR, and latterly as an aromatherapist. One of the things I love about working at Fishers now is the fantastic family atmosphere which is created in part by so many different local families working together at the Park.  I think it's quite unusual to have so many different generations of families working alongside each other in this way but helps to create a really unique atmosphere.  Even when I'm not working, you'll often find me here with Eddie and various friends and their children, who all tend to be members.  But the one place you won't see me is on stage for our annual pantomime - I'm definitely a front of house  person NOT a performer!

Saturday 12 June 2010 - Wedding at Fishers Farm Park

Yes the 12th of June 2010 Fishers became the beautiful setting for the wedding reception of Tom Rollings (son of Tim and Trina Rollings - the owners of Fishers Farm) and his new wife Kate (me!). It was such a brilliant day and Fishers Farm couldn't have been a better place to have our wedding! After the lovely service at St Peter's Ad Vincula Wisborough Green, we dropped in by helicopter in the front field of the farm. The helicopter was expertly piloted by Mark Howard-Smith, who managed to miss most of the sheep (joke!). Mark is funnily enough the son of 'Nige' the co-owner of Howards - the business next door! The new terrace area in the Saddle Rooms restaurant played host to our champagne reception, with the inside play barns set up for the wedding meal. Pat, Baz and Catherine headed the truly brilliant catering team, made up 100% by Fishers Farm staff. I swear they got better at each glass of white wine they poured for me...?! We had our photos taken with some of the animals too who had been specially groomed for the photos and looked fantastic (well done farm girls!). I couldn't go without having a special shot with my favourite 'Lady May' the shetland pony! Day moved on into evening rather quickly, and we had our first dance in the party barn, which was decorated with twinkling lights, white drapes and ivy, with music played by 'Lady M and the Mr Men' - a superb local band!

To give you a brief history, Tom and I actually met at Fishers Farm about 10 years ago, when we performed in the musical 'Shake Ripple and Roll' together in the old theatre. Funnily enough we still act together each year in our annual pantomime in the new theatre, so the story carries on! I started working here part-time about 4 years ago, and have been working full time for the last 2 years in the shop, the farm, the restaurant - wherever they decide to put me that day! Tom on the other hand has worked at the farm since he was 12 and is now one of the Directors, heading lots of new projects on the farm, arranging staffing, marketing initiatives, poster designs...he's a busy guy!

We've just got back today from our wonderful honeymoon in Kefalonia (highly recommend!) and no doubt you will see our smiling faces around the farm soon!

Tuesday 01 June 2010 - One rabbit, one rabbit, one one one!

Surabi, our lionhead rabbit gave birth on the 10th May to what we thought was a litter of around 4-6 baby rabbits (kittens). This week we noticed movement in the nest and expected to see the group of them running around their play area...however, to our surprise...only one (very porky) baby rabbit emerged, who we've aptly named 'Podge'! It's the first time we've had a litter of only one from our rabbits, and cute little Podge is the current favourite at the farm amongst the staff and visitors alike - he's even made friends with Henry the horse!

 

 

 

Tuesday 25 May 2010 - Matt

Hi I'm Matt, and one of the newest members of the team at Fishers. I'm a graphic designer by profession, but decided to work at Fishers for two reasons really...  my little boy called Aaron (age 5) who comes to stay with me at the weekends and my little girl called Ella (age 6) who is simply dotty about animals! Each weekend when I collect Aaron from his Mums and ask him 'what shall we do today?' I'm deafened by a chorus of Ella and Aaron shouting...'Can we go to the farm Daddy?!'.

Since both Ella and Aaron were babies, Laura (my better half!) and I have been bringing the children to the farm for some of our best days out! It's a great place to visit and has all of the attractions and facilities we need need for an enjoyable family day. out, no matter what age the kids are or what the weather is like!
Ella, being a complete animal lover, really enjoys the pony rides and loves going to the farm theatre to watch the animal show. She loves joining in at feeding time, especially the baby lambs. Aaron on the other hand is little whirlwind, and will be found jumping on the bouncy pillow, running through the ball pit, shooting Ella with foam balls in Jolly Jumbos or sliding down the slopes of the Toboggan Run! Laura is normally the more relaxed one in our family. She enjoys sitting at the picnic tables with a cup of tea, knowing the kids are safely enjoying themselves nearby. The sounds of the animals on the farm and the childrens laughter is very therapeutic...apparently!
Me on the other hand, well I'm just a big kid and when I heard that Fishers were recruiting for casual workers and summer staff I just couldn't stop myself!

The farm is simply a fantastic place to be and I have made some good friends in the short time I've been here. I am really enjoying being on the other side of the fence and seeing how things are run. I muck out the farm animals and help out with the rock climbing wall, but my favorite bit has to be driving the tractors! You can usually find me driving the Barrel Bug ride or steering round the pond into the Ghost Tunnel.
So, when I go to collect Aaron now, I usually get Ella and Aaron shouting...'can you drive us on the Barrel Bugs Daddy?'...and of course my answer is always yes!

So the next time you're near Fishers, pop in and say hello, because the next time you are wanting a tractor ride-it might be me driving you!

Hope to see you soon,

Matt

07 May 2010

WINNERS - Fishers Farm Park!
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 2010
at The County Times Business Awards


05 May 2010 - Name the Chick Competition

Over the Easter Holidays we held a 'name the chick' competition in our incubation room here at the farm, to find a special name for one of our baby chicks. After a whopping 1847 entries, we have now selected our winner!! With the fantastic and original name 'EGGWINA', we decided 6 year old MATTHEW DUNCAN from Storrington First School was well worthy of the prize. He will be coming to the farm tomorrow to collect his prize and have his photo taken with the lovely Eggwina herself.

A huge thanks to all of you who who had a go, we had some fantastic names such as 'David Peckham', 'Eggbert no Bacon' and even 'Korma'! Ubelievably we had just under 100 people naming the chick 'Fluffy'!!!

Eggwina has been put out into the Fur and Feather Field this week to meet all the other grown-up chickens who free-range out there, and we're looking forward to her laying her first egg (maybe for next years competition!).

 

Defibrillator comes to Fishers Farm Park

Fishers Farm have been given a new Defibrillator Machine to further boost the facilities of the first aid room. Several of the staff were given full training on how to use the machine by local paramedics, as well as receiving extensive CPR training and emergency first aid. The Defibrillator is to be used in case of a cardiac arrest and will be on-site at all times in case of such an event.

The Defibrilator Machine itself is actually very simple to use and although we hope that it won't be needed, it is good to have staff both confident and qualified to use it if required. It should also be re-assuring for visitors and our staff that Fishers are not only upgrading their first aid equipment to the latest and most successful technologies, but can now boast over fifteen qualified on-site First-Aiders. 

The training was administered by a local paramedic in association with BEAT, the Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team who are the community's first response scheme. It was good to develop a relationship with BEAT who can help us keep up-to-date with our training and knowledge of first aid technologies in the future.  

 

 

 National Runner up RURAL HERO - Tim Rollings

On Wednesday 3rd February Tim and Mel were invited to the House of Lords Winners Reception for the Countryside Alliance and Daily Telegraph Annual National Awards. 

Tim had been nominated by present and past staff for his dedication to helping young people on the ladder to their careers.  Fishers Farm has always taken training seriously and has given hundreds of young people a great foundation for their futures.  When they are at the Park they learn a broad spectrum of skills, together with a good work ethic and great customer care.  One of the quotes on the nominations was "that you know when Tim is disappointed with you, but when you do something right, he's like Simon Cowell - his comments and appreciation are worth their weight in gold". 

The Reception was wonderfully organised by the Countryside Alliance and it was exciting to be amongst Lords, Countrymen and Parliamentarians - we felt slightly like country bumpkins then realised that 75% of the gathering were all feeling the same way!

Tim is seen here collecting his award from Clarissa Dickson Wright, who was one of the judges.

 

13th January 2010 - 'Lucky' Escape

A surprise addition to the flock at Fishers Farm Park caught everyone by surprise and was only discovered through sheer chance by Tim Rollings (owner) during an unusual late night check in the extensive Park grounds.

The lamb was discovered in deep snow, all alone as a fox lurking only a few feet away had scared off its mother.  The fox was persuaded to look for his dinner elsewhere and the frightened newcomer brought into the warmth of the barn along with the rest of the flock where mother and lamb were reunited. 

 

After lots of fuss and attention from staff at Fishers, both mother and lamb are thriving.  Naming the lamb was easy - Lucky!  

 

If you're looking for a day out during half term - Lambing will carry on now for the next few weeks at the farm, as well as goat kids and piglets all expected!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve 2009
HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone - we all wish you a Very Merry Day and a Happy and Healthy New Year

Click HERE to see the photo Father Christmas had taken with some of the animals when he visited us before heading off on his big night

5th December 2009 - Tree O'Clock

Between 11.00 and 12.00 on Saturday 5th December it was Tree O'clock and Fishers Farm joined together with the rest of the UK in the attempt to beat the record for tree planting in one hour.  The existing record is 653,143. 

We regularly plant native trees and Tom seen in the picture here, together with James Tarlton work with Green Business Tourism, for which we have received their Bronze Award.  Tom and James continue to work together on innovitive ways to keep Fishers Farm 'green'.  We are working towards our Silver Award over the next couple of years.

For more information click on this BBC link

 

 

1st December 2009

The Christmas Advent has begun with great excitement at Fishers.  We had an early visit from Father Christmas last week.  Country Life magazine phoned to ask if it would be possible to come and photograph Father Christmas with the animals at the Farm.  Alice, who works at the magazine, remembered visiting him here in 1993, when she was 6 years old and being enchanted.  She knew that we would be able to contact him at the North Pole and ask if he could spare the time to fly in for a photo shoot and being the delightful man that he is, he said yes!

Alice organised for a professional photographer called Brian Moody to come along and take the photo.  We all helped decorate the tree, light the fire  and groom the animals in preparation.  The photo is going to be on a 2 page spread in the magazine and we are all so excited.  The photo is called the "Best of British - Seasonal", so look out for it on the magazine racks.

Father Christmas was only able to be with us for a few minutes as he is right in the middle of getting all this years Christmas gifts wrapped and ready.  But he promised to be back on 12th December to start seeing all his guests at the Farm.  Look forward to seeing you soon .....

3rd November 2009 

We are proud and delighted to announce that we have been 'Highly Commended' by Tourism SE in their Tourism ExSEllence Awards (Large Visitor Attraction) 2009, which celebrates all that is great in the South East. The Gold award winner was RHS  Wisley Gardens.  A worthy winner, to whom we congratulate. 

7th October 2009 - So much going on at the Park ...

There is so much happening at Fishers at the moment, I hardly know where I am!  The boys have started building the new entrance, which will lead straight into the bottom play area.  Then visitors can choose to go down a widened pathway by the pond to the play areas, back into the animal barns and theatre or into the new shop.  Have I lost you yet?!  The new shop is moving to part of what is now the animal barn and the present shop is becoming the extended restaurant with Birthday Party tables.  We are also changing around the bar in the Saddlerooms Restaurant.  Sunday roasts are back on the menu from this Sunday, 11th October.

The old Littlehampton fishing boat has sadly had to go, after 16 years at Fishers.  We celebrated her life with us in a Valhalla sort of way, setting her alight with the old decking around that area.  Tom and the team are building a brand new, 2-storey Galleon with new walkways and a new big slide at the Lighthouse.  Have you seen the new Tall Ships rope climbing frame?  It's great fun. 

We have a new membership system coming into operation, where we will take your picture and you will have new cards that will give you a swipe entry through a fast track entrance.

All the new activities will be opening between now and Christmas.  Phew, we'll all be exhausted!

September 2009 - Recommendations regarding E Coli

E Coli is the same risk today as it has been for the last 19 years at Fishers Farm.  One which we have taken extremely seriously.  We have a good relationship with our Environmental Health Office at Chichester District Council and have taken their advice on a number of areas since we opened to the public in 1990. 

What we already do:
Muck out all animal pens every night, liquid disinfect and leave to dry overnight
Lay fresh straw bedding for the animals every morning and use a specialist powdered disinfectant on top of the bedding on all pens where the public can enter.  We do not have any 'deep litter' pens.
Have regular veterinary checks on our animals
Have a qualified Livestock Manager, trained and competent staff working with the animals
All animals go out to the fields at night
Muck heaps kept away from public areas
Have written advice regarding hand washing on every daily event sheet and signage around the Park
Give verbal advice after shows regarding hand washing
Animal free access to the adventure park
Daily, weekly and routine checks and deep cleansing of all toilet and handwashing facilities around the Park
Supervised animal feeding
Recorded daily routines signed off at the start and end of each day

Our recommendations to you are: 
After animal contact wash your hands with soap and water - found at barn exits and all toilet areas
Before eating, whether your own picnic or in our food outlets, wash your hands with soap and warm water
Use sanitiser on childrens hands before contact with animals, it tastes horrible and will deter children from sucking fingers and thumbs
Do not eat in or around animal barns

30th August 2009 - Student of the Year

Each Summer the 30 permanent members of staff vote for one out of the 130 casual members of staff to be the Fishers Farm Student of the Year.  It is always a very tight competition as all the staff are wonderful!  This year our winner was SARAH DAVIES, who works in our catering department and you may have met her in the Saddlerooms Restaurant or she may have been your birthday host.  The photograph shows her receiving her silver cup from last years winner Warren Cooley at the Summer Staff BBQ.   This years Rounders Challenge was won by the Maintenance Team.... Woop, woop!!

Sarah is at Collyers College at the moment and has just finished her AS levels in Sociology, Psychology, Biology and English Literature.  She is hoping to head to University and study Psychology.  She doesn't have much free time as she is always either at College (where she plays for the netball team), with her boyfriend of 18 months or at Fishers Farm Park!  She lives in Pulborough with her Mum, Dad, younger sister and fat cat called Guiness!  She also has an older sister and 3 brothers.

"My Dad was really proud of my achievement at Fishers Farm and my younger sister texted me saying she was really happy for me."

Well done Sarah from all of us at Fishers Farm - you've proved you are the best! 

SATURDAY 25th July 2009 - Hadrian's Wall

Liz (HR Manager) has always wanted to walk Hadrian's Wall so as she had a "fairly big" birthday coming up, I (Mel) said I would accompany her.  Foolish talk!!  We set off by train to Newcastle at the beginning of July and and started on our 84 mile walk from Wallsend, just east of Newcastle, right across England to Bowness-on-Solway.  As we are both a little overweight and a little underfit, we had moments of struggle and torment.  I nearly gave up 18 miles from the end, but Liz bucked me up and and with a heady mixture of ibuprofen, Kendal Mint Cake and Isotonic drinks - we both made it to the end.  I was overjoyed and Liz burst into tears!!  Both pleased and proud of each other.   

 

We were really lucky with the weather.  Each morning the forecast said "storm and tempest" so we duly packed wet weather gear into our rucksacks, and most evenings came home with sunburn!  We had pre-booked bed & breakfasts along the route and met some wonderful people.  In one small village we asked a farm "grandmother" if there was anywhere we could get a cup of tea.  She said "of course, I'll away and put the kettle on".  She then brought out chairs for us to sit on in her yard, a pot of wonderful tea, fresh milk and ... CAKES!  It really renewed our faith in the kindness of our fellow citizens.  Next walk The South Downs Way!

 

 

WEDNESDAY 10th June 2009

I am John Farmer and have been working at Fishers Farm Park, part-time for the past 4 years looking after the advertising and marketing.  Previous to that I worked for Granada Television for 32 years and then a brief consultancy with the Barbados Board of Tourism!  I suppose that I can claim that in my early years with Granada I got to know every single member of the original cast of Coronation Street, which to say the least - dates me!  As a hobby I have for the last 36 years been honorary Show Director of Hickstead, which again has enabled me to meet some of the greatest showjumpers in the world.  It is a sport which I really enjoy.  In 2 weeks time Hickstead will present the Derby meeting with its famous Bank and I shall be there to make sure that everything runs smoothly in the International Arena.  The second meeting, which is the Royal International takes place at the end of July and one of the main features is the Nations Cup, won last year by the All-Ladies American Team.  Eight teams will complete this year, so it will be a truly international affair.

Son, Jonathan is in his penultimate year at Portsmouth University, has worked at Fishers as a student for the last 6 years and previous to that, daughter Katharine worked here and has now just become a fully qualified solicitor in London - so we are keeping it in the family!

(Note from Mel:  John was honoured in 1996 for his services to showjumping.  He received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Queen at Buckingham Palace)

SATURDAY 4th April 2009

I am Sue Pollard, but not that one!  I have worked at Fishers for 15 years now and seen the Farm develop and grow MASSIVELY.  It's difficult for those of us who have been here for a while to remember what it used to be like!  Before I worked here my twin sons Olly and Tom, worked here and I know it was one of the best groundings they could have had for their future lives.  They are now living and working in London as television producers.

Before I joined Fishers I was teaching speech and drama at various posh schools in the area and before that I managed to keep body and soul together for 20 years as an actress - nothing major, but I did once share a flat with Elaine Paige!! One of the first things I did when I got to Fishers was to direct an outside production of Midsummer Night's Dream using the Fishers Farm play area and zip slide as our set.  Hippolyta's entrance was on Dolly (Trina's beautiful grey pony).  Bex Rollings, who gets married this summer, was a sweet little fairy aged 8 years old and Tom Rollings was a brilliant Puck at only aged 10 years.  He is now Project Manager of the Farm.  It was magical and perhaps we should think about doing it again.  Any aspiring Shakespearian actors out there?!

I enjoy going up to London visiting the boys, theatre, directing Billingshurst Dramatic Society productions and the Fishers Farm Panto.  I love food and fine wine (!) and eating out with my friends.  I have got a large garden which I enjoy, although I am a bit of a fair weather gardener, extraordinarily I find cutting the grass quite relaxing! 

 

FRIDAY 13th March 2009

Friday 13th maybe unlucky for some but not FISHERS FARM - we won "BEST PLACE TO WORK" 2009 award at last night's Gatwick Diamond Awards Dinner at the Gatwick Hilton, sponsored by Green Gatwick.  Whoop, whoop, whoop!!

 

 

 

 

The picture on the left shows Barrie and Sue picking up the award on behalf of all the staff and on the right Barrie and Sue with host of the evening, business correspondent Declan Curry from BBC Breakfast and Working Lunch 
 
 
 
 
 
 

These pictures were taken on Sue's mobile phone!  Left is Mel, Barrie and Trina celebrating our win as we left for home!  And right Trina and Mel.

 

Tim was finalist in Business Person of the Year.      

A great night was had by the four of us and we were delighted to bring home our trophy, which now resides on the piano in the Saddlerooms Restaurant.  Our thanks to The Gatwick Daimond Awards for recognising the hard work and efforts all staff put in to Fishers Farm Park to make it the special place it is!

 
 
 

 

9th MARCH 2009

Sad News...
Freddie our 8 year old muntjac deer had a stroke and died on March 2nd. As a fawn he was hit by a car and hand reared, he came to us 4 years ago and has loved meeting our visitors and having his chin rubbed daily. Because of his accident, he had mild brain damage and he had a stroke 2 years ago. The vets were pleased with his recovery then, but warned us he would eventually have more. Our love has gone with him and he will be missed.

Zebedee was put to sleep on the evening of March 8th.  In her old age she was having difficulty with her breathing.  The vet came to check her, but we all felt it was kindest to let her slip away.  She was 12 years old and came to Fishers Farm as a week old kid to keep another old Saanan, Florence, company.  She proved to be a great character and confused many school children because she was a female with a very long beard!  Our beloved goat will always be remembered.
 

25th FEBRUARY 2009

I'm Baz, I'm the Assistant General Manager and Chef at the Park.  Tim offered me a summer seasons work in 1995 and I have been working at Fishers ever since - 14 years! It is very enjoyable and I have made lots of new friends including staff and visitors.  I am the third oldest person working at the Farm ... guess how old next time you see me!  Be kind! 

Apart from cooking I get involved in all aspects of the Farm, including the building of new projects.  During the construction of Jolly Jumbo's, Tim looked after me by keeping me away from the heavy jobs (reserved for the young'uns!).  I do miss the heavy work - it keeps me fit and young looking! 

I have 2 daughters, Emma and Hailey, one who lives in Gosport and the other in Brittany, France.  I have 2 grandchildren, Matheo aged 5 and Katell aged 2 and they both live on the Rose Granite Coast in Brittany.  Our next visit to see them is in April which my partner Anita and I are looking forward to.  We take our two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, called Merry and Pippin, who have their own passports with photographs in!  We do a lot of beach walking and rock pooling with the children and the dogs.  A favourite past time is digging for cockles, so we can cook them for supper. 

This is my first blog, so I'll improve it for the next one!! I'm saving a marinade recipe for BBQ season, when our Beach BBQ opens at the bottom of the Park.  Until then ... look forward to hearing about you on your next visit.

Baz

22nd FEBRUARY 2009                                                                            

WOW!  Half term was great and really busy - if you visited us I hope you had a fabulous time and managed to get out of the field car parking ok!  All part of the Farm experience ... being towed out by a tractor!  I bet there were some very happy little boys at leaving time!

We have just bought another week old Dexter X calf, who is a beautiful pale grey in colour and was bellowing madly this morning waiting for her morning feed.  Sam was up really early preparing their milk.  We bottle feed them  again every lunchtime in the theatre and with 4 calves it will be much easier for lots of children to have a go.  Adults don't be shy if you want to join in as well! 

You may have seen Heggity the bantam hen on Meridian Tonight last week.  She has taken to sitting on top of the piglets under their heat lamp!! 

I am learning how to use the new and upgraded website and will be adding photos to this page.  Also if you are on Facebook, join our Friends of Fishers group - there's a link from the home page.  If you have already joined you will have seen my personal profile picture !!  Me with the lovely David Tennant.  Various people asked me how I managed to have my photo taken with him.  I was very lucky to get an invitation to the National TV Awards after show party, where I was delighted to meet him and pose with him!  What a lovely memory!! 

Mel

14th FEBRUARY 2009

I am really excited that our 3 Dexter x Guernsey calves have arrived.  They were bred in Billingshurst and are a week old, we've started bottle feeding them today and they are doing well.  We've called them Delilah, Phoebe and Joey.  Spring is in the air and we have "Spartacus" the bull here on loan to woo Lily the Dexter cow.  But sadly she doesn't fancy him very much, so not sure if we'll get a calf there!  "Merlin" the Billy Goat is also here to meet Cocoa, but she doesn't fancy him either!!  We will all be quite glad when he returns to his owners as he really SMELLS! 

Lambs are all due to be born from 1 April, so the pregnant ewes are being looked after extra carefully to ensure they have happy, quick and healthy births.  Because the ewes are so used to visitors, they often lamb in the day in the barn, which is an amazing sight if you've not seen it before - although not good for the squeemish!

Look forward to seeing you on the farm soon ... Sam (Livestock Manager)