Open farm day raises £6,500 for musical therapy for disabled charity

MORE than 1,000 people attended an open day at a farm in Kidmore End in aid of a charity.

John Hall, 86, of Chalkhouse Green Farm, opened his one-acre garden and traditional farmstead to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Visitors could explore the grounds which feature herbaceous borders, a herb garden, shrubs, old-fashioned roses, fruit trees including medlar, quince and mulberries, a walled ornamental kitchen garden and a cherry orchard.

They could also see rare breed animals including British White cattle, including 10 calves, Suffolk Punch horses, donkeys, geese, chickens, ducks, turkeys and owls. Other attractions included donkey and tractor and trailer rides, a swimming pool, plant sale and cream teas.

Mr Hall said: “It went wonderfully well and everyone said they had enjoyed themselves. It’s nice to see families with their kids running around.

“Lots of children were playing on the tennis courts and lots were in the swimming pool. The animals were a great success. The ponies were very well behaved. The Suffolks like being petted.”

Mr Hall said the tractor rides ran all day as they were popular.

“We don’t charge that much — 50p a ride — so families can have a lot of fun.” The day raised more than £6,500 for Soundabout, an Oxford charity which supports musical therapy, and events for people with learning disabilities.

The charity had a stall at the event and the Soundabout Oxford and Beyond Choir, which has learning disabled musicians, performed songs including Three Little Birds by Corinne Bailey Rae and Reach for the Stars by
S Club 7.

The choir celebrates people’s different ways of sharing their voice, including using Makaton signing, singing or other vocal noises, making sounds with an instrument or using technology such as an iPad or EyeGaze.

Mr Hall, who founded the charity in 1997 with his late wife Sarah, said: “It was wonderful to see them perform and how music can aid communication. It was very touching. Sarah and I founded it a long time ago and have long since passed it on to brighter and sharper hands.

“We never dreamed it would still be going so strong. The letters we have received over the years saying what a difference it has made to people’s lives have been wonderful.”