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Thousands flock to "baarilliant" family farm day in Otley

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Suffolk Rural College welcomed around 2,000 visitors to its popular spring family farm day on Sunday, 30 March, as the college celebrates 55 years of farming education.

Why it matters: The free event gives local families the opportunity to experience agricultural education firsthand and introduces children to potential future careers in farming and animal care.

The Mann family and a baby lamb
The Mann family had a great time in the sunshine at the annual Suffolk Rural Spring Family Farm DaySuffolk New College

The details: Visitors to the Otley campus were treated to a range of activities during the event, which has been running for over five years:

  • Meeting newborn lambs

  • Exploring new animal studies facilities

  • Watching showjumping displays

  • Playing sports on the college quadrangle

  • Purchasing locally sourced food from vendors including Yum Tum Tree Fudge

What they're saying: Charlotte Rossiter, who oversaw the organisation of the day, called it "one of the best yet."

"We are always delighted to welcome guests to our Suffolk Rural campus. This year, we are celebrating 55 years of farming and that will be one of our big themes at the upcoming Suffolk Show," he said.

From the visitors: The event attracted families from across the region:

"My daughter goes along to a therapy farm once a week and she absolutely adores the animals - so we had to come up so she could see the sheep," said Samantha Mann from Colchester. "I think what the college is doing is brilliant and because it is free it has given everyone a chance to come."

Six-year-old Emily Wilkins from Needham Market summed up the day succinctly: "It's been baarilliant."

Behind the scenes: Students helped run the event, gaining valuable experience in public engagement.

Vakaris Pocius, 18, from Ipswich, who is studying a level two course in agriculture at Suffolk Rural, said: "It's been rewarding and it's important so that children can experience different careers that they might want to pursue when they are older."

Student Vakaris Pocius in front of sheep in a barn
Student Vakaris Pocius helped out at the annual Suffolk Rural Spring Family Farm DaySuffolk New College

For businesses: Local vendors also benefited from the high turnout.

Karen from Really Awesome Coffee said: "This was our first time at Suffolk Rural and the first impressions are very good. It's nice to do something local. I think it's a great idea to host a free event like this."

What's next: For those who missed out on tickets for this event, the college will be hosting their annual Big Day Out on Saturday 10 May 2025.

The bottom line: The "baarilliant" success of the spring family farm day sets a positive tone for Suffolk Rural College's upcoming 55-year farming celebration at the Suffolk Show.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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