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THE SPARSHOLT College annual countryside day was today causing a tailback of traffic along the B3049 towards Stockbridge.

Last year more than 11,000 people visited the college's training facilities, near Sparsholt, while enjoying a fun, family day out.

Visitors got to meet more than 500 animals including reptiles, spiders, donkeys, Llamas, goats, rabbits and two of the newest recruits, Kiki and Ling, the red pandas.

Visitors also had the opportunity to view the 400-acre farm where they could meet the sheep, cows and pigs, and take a wildlife walk around the deer park.

The sheep shearing display is always popular and this year was no exception.

Mums, dads, grandparents and above all the children were transfixed while watching college students and staff relieve the sheep of their winter coats.

Third year agricultural student Amy Kersey, 18, was helping to bag up the wool.

She explained: "After the sheep have been sheared, the wool gets taken to the British Wool Marketing Board. It buys all the British wool and then sells it on the international market. Sheep shearing is great fun. All the kids love it because they can help to roll up the wool."

Ben Lambert, 21, who is on the same course as Amy, said: "It is a lot harder when you are doing the sheep shearing! The open day is good because people are not just seeing animals in a field, they are seeing them in a hands on situation."

In the village fete area' falconers from Chandler's Ford based Falcon High were displaying some of the birds of prey they handle and explaining them to visitors.

Paul Miller, one of the bird handlers, said: "All the birds we have here today are captive bred, but we do help the RSPCA and police with rescues. I love it. I feel very lucky because I was introduced to wildlife and nature when I was very young and through doing this I can show the children and other people the birds and encourage them to be more environmentally friendly and more aware of wildlife."

Other attractions included displays by the forestry and arboriculture team.

Liberty Carlton, 21, is on the course and was helping out.

He explained: "We are making mushrooms from chainsaws, which demonstrates skill. We have to be precise when felling trees. Once the mushrooms are done we sell them. This is my fifth year of doing the show. I enjoy doing it. It shows people what Sparsholt has to offer. Arboriculture isn't just about cutting down trees, it is about protecting and helping preserve the trees as well."

The college rally car, prepared by engineering students for competition, was on display, and budding engineers were able to see students fitting major components into another classic rally car.

Other attractions throughout the day included live music from Brazilian group Bat2K, and the New Forest band The Plonkers.

There was also the chance to have a ride in a helicopter also be helicopter, a craft fair, hawk and gun dog displays, show jumping and dressage, tree and pole climbing, clay shooting and archery.

Meanwhile, the English Open Tree Climbing Championships attracted contestants from across the UK, and were taking place throughout the day.

Tutors and admissions staff were on hand to discuss the various courses provided by the college across a range of disciplines including horticulture, engineering, aquatics, sports studies, agriculture and animal management.

1:09pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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