Families in Whaddon will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities this Bank Holiday weekend as Thrift Farm hosts its latest community event. The Sow and Grow with Mr Scarecrow event will run from 2 May to 4 May 2026, featuring sunflower seed planting, cress potato head crafting, and appearances from the farm’s resident scarecrow character.
Located on Buckingham Road, the 56-acre site has long served as a community hub for residents in Milton Keynes, Buckingham, and Bedfordshire. While the event offers a day out for families, the farm also maintains its core mission of supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues. This adult social care provision has been a part of the farm for over 40 years, currently supporting 60 clients per week through work-based skills in areas like animal care and horticulture.
The site’s future was secured in 2019 following a community-led effort known as the Save Thrift Campaign, which gathered approximately 7,000 signatures after the Buckinghamshire County Council proposed closing the facility. A subsequent joint venture between Mead Open Farm and Kids Play Ltd was selected to manage the site, ensuring the continuation of adult care services alongside the public farm park.
Visitors attending the weekend event can also explore the farm’s various animal enclosures, which house horses, alpacas, pigs, and other livestock. The site includes both indoor and outdoor play areas for children, and a recently opened custom-built nursery and pre-school is now operating on the grounds. Organisers are encouraging attendees to book tickets in advance, noting that spaces are selling fast for the holiday sessions.
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