Press Release

WINDSOR GREAT PARK SCHOOLS OPEN DAY

7 June 2006

The Royal Farms and The Crown Estate held an open day for local schools on the Windsor Estate on Wednesday 7 June 2006. Over 1,600 children from 33 schools were shown various activities which take place on a large agricultural estate.

The day’s programme was aimed at the Key Stage 2 curriculum (pupils aged 7-11 years). The activities the children saw are all undertaken on a regular, if not daily, basis by the Royal Farms and the estate, and illustrate the breadth of skills and craftmanship required to maintain and manage the natural environment of Windsor Great Park.

The Royal Farms and each department of the estate gave the children the following demonstrations:

• The Royal Farms: Milking cows, sheep shearing, feeding calves, feeding lambs. A horse drawn plough with static displays of cropping on the farm, displays of arable produce and their uses, sheep, calves and cows and farm cattle feeds.
• Forestry Department: A woodland trail, tree identification, the production of timber and its products, demonstration of modern machinery, nature conservation.
• Parks Department: Demonstrations of tree surgery, machinery, practical demonstrations showing techniques of sports field maintenance, the management of trees, nature conservation and the history of the Great Park.
• Gardens Department: Demonstrations on the propagation of plants from seed to fully-grown plant; plant identification, demonstration of mulching and of garden machinery.
• Building Department: Demonstration by bricklayers, signwriters, decorators, carpenters, plumbers and blacksmiths.
• Transport Department: Demonstration of machinery and its maintenance.
• Game Department: Management of the red deer herd, demonstration of handling dogs, ferrets, control of vermin.