Photos by Rob Topliss and Stella Gooch
Susan Richardson, Chairman of Heacham In Bloom, and Philippa Sewell, Secretary, presents award to Norfolk Lavender's Peter Mortin
It has been a great year for Norfolk Lavender which is the result of a lot of hard work as part of a campaign to rejuvenate the gardens and the brand itself over the past few years.
As the season drew to a close it became known that Norfolk Lavender was awarded the honour of “Best Commercial Premises” for Anglia In Bloom having been entered into the reknowned competition by the Heacham In Bloom Committee. Heacham In Bloom, represented by Chairman, Susan Richardson, and Secretary, Philippa Sewell, presented the Manager of Norfolk Lavender with a wooden plaque to commemorate their win.
Miniature Shetland Pony and Donkey
Peter Mortin of Norfolk Lavender said: ”We are over the moon with the award and the judges recognition of our achievements at the Norfolk Lavender site in Heacham. Our team of staff have worked so hard over the last two years since the company was bought out of administration, by a local family, to transform the grounds, gardens and attractions on site. We have such a wonderful site here around the old water mill and the re-planted gardens and newly landscaped grounds with the new Rare Breed Animal Centre and new lavender oil distillery are something that we are really proud of.”
Mr Mortin went on to say: “We have great plans for the future with a new lavender field being planted which will allow visitors to actually walk through a lavender field here at Heacham for the first time ever opening in summer 2011. A massive 8,500 sq foot indoor childrens play area will be opening this Autumn making Norfolk Lavender an even more attractive place for families to visit. We have also begun planning our plant displays for next year.”
Kune Kune Pigs at Norfolk Lavender
This year, Norfolk Lavender also opened its Rare Breeds Centre which added a whole new facet to this long established Norfolk attraction. The Rare Breed Animal Centre has become a firm favourite with visitors to the area and locals alike. It offers a great place to entertain the children at a reasonable cost Family tickets being only £ 10-00 for up to 6.
The animal centre has two levels of appeal. Firstly, there is the whole range of wonderfully cute farm animals including pigs, sheep, goats, cows, donkey, pony, alpacas, wallabies, turkeys, ducks, and masses of poultry which the younger children will fall in love with. Secondly, many of these animals have stories behind them and this is most likely to intrigue the older visitor.
The Rare Breed Animal Centre was set up within the guidelines of the Rare Breed Survival Trust and Norfolk Lavender have also tried to set up breeding programmes for some farm animals which are on the endangered species list. There are animals ranging from “at risk”, “endangered” to “critically at risk” where there is a real risk that without active help these animals could indeed become extinct.
Miniature African Zebu
Amongst the cute pigs you find here, there are curly coated pigs which are related to the Lincolnshire long wooled pig which died out in the UK – these little fellas have coats almost like that of a sheep. One of the sheep breeds kept in the Rare Breed Animal Centre are Hungarian Screw Horned Sheep which are so rare there are only 6 in the whole country. Norfolk Lavender are keeping their fingers crossed that they may breed this year.
Within the centre’s mass of poultry (over 20 types) you will find such rarieties as Sultans (critical on the “at risk” list). Norfolk Lavender are having real success with breeding these birds and are now able to pass young birds on to other breeders. There are too many animals to name them all so why not come and see for yourselves the amazing range of farm animals.
The 2010 Lavender Festival also attracted thousands of visitors and they were blessed with a gloriously sunny weekend to also celebrate the first weekend of the harvest. People travelled for miles to visit Heacham and see the Lavender in all its glory. The event offered a craft fair, live music, performances by the well known Lavender Hill Mob, face painting and an owl display, birds of prey demonstrations and food tastings at the newly opened Walsingham Farms Shop. Norfolk Lavender also had a new distillery in operation for the weekend. The event also raised £1000 for Tapping House Hospice. Soon after the Lavender Festival, Unique opened its doors at Norfolk Lavender offering a selection of quality, individual items for completing that special look for any home, office or business environment.
Golden Guernsey Goats at play
Birds of prey soon to be a regular feature
Family of ducks nestling in the lavender
Alpaccas at Norfolk Lavender
