Posted by Stella Gooch
Bircham Windmill is always a great visit but they do consistently put on a special Bank Holiday and this one is no exception.
It’s a day of animal treats and country crafts at Bircham Windmill this Bank Holiday Monday, May 27th. A day the sheep all look forward to as they get their coats off for the summer as well as getting to be centre of attention for the great annual sheep race. There is much excitement in the paddock this year as we have two of the fences sponsored.
One is a proper horse hurdle kindly lent to us by Fakenham Racecourse who need it back in one piece ready for their Lady’s Day on June 2nd, the other is a straw bale fence from GJL animal feeds which the sheep love as they can jump on and off. Elly Chalmers who runs the windmill with her husband Stevie particularly loves the sheep events ‘I used to be a full time shepherdess before we took over the mill from my parents’ said Elly ‘It takes a couple of weeks to train the sheep to jump, but they absolutely love it’ Elly’s favourite sheep ‘Squiffy’ is one of the runners that visitors to the Country Day can bet on. ‘We’ve got some super badges and ginger bread sheep for anyone who backs the winner’ said Elly.
There will be children’s show jumping (no ponies – just children!), horse dressage and meet the horse, a dog show starting at 1pm, all dogs very welcome, a wild flower competition and lots of country crafts including pole lathe woodturning, bee keeping, pottery, lace making and more as well as plant and jam stalls. There will be pony rides, a tractor for the children to climb on and landrovers and trailers. The sheep milking will be on at 2pm
The windmill museum, cycle hire, bakery and tearooms will be open as usual, with extra refreshments served in the marquee.
Entrance to the Country Day is £3.50 for Adults, £2 for season ticket holders and FREE for children, there are small fees to enter the dog show, bet on the sheep racing and pony rides. Come along for a superb family fun day out and learn a little more about our countryside. Don’t forget your dog!















