Western Morning News

‘We have created something special’

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One of more than 50 urban and inner city farms in the UK, Windmill Hill has been in existence in the heart of Bristol since 1976. Then, five years ago, a Bags of Help grant of £12,000 funded the addition of an interactiv­e centre where children and adults can learn about animals, plants and the environmen­t.

Chief executive Steve Sayers says: “As a multifunct­ional community centre we had already packed an awful lot into our four-and-a-half acres. As well as the farm, where there are cows, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry, we also had a garden area, a café, a children’s playground, a day care nursery and a social care programme for people with mental issues and learning difficulti­es.

“There was an old shed that been used as a bit of a dumping ground, and we wanted to convert it into a learning centre. We couldn’t have afforded to do that without the grant from

Bags of Help. We have to thank Tesco and the local customers who chose us in the in-store vote.

“We organise regular event days in the centre, demonstrat­ing yogurtmaki­ng, butter churning and rustic craft activities. We’ve also got small animals in there such as rabbits and guinea pigs for children to pet, as well as interactiv­e games.

“The centre has proved hugely popular with the

150,000 visitors we have here annually, and for us and the volunteers who helped with the renovation it has been really exciting to see an old, unloved space turned into something really special.”

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