Llangunllo WI Visit to Acton Scott Heritage Farm

NFWI held their annual meeting online in June and Karen, our Treasurer, was delegate on behalf of Llangunllo, Stowe & Stanage and Tref-y-Clawdd WIs.

This year the two resolutions voted on were “Accessible public toilet facilities” – passed with 95% in favour and “Action on women’s homelessness” – passed with 92% in favour. The NFWI Public Affairs Committee will now turn these resolutions into a campaign and members will play a key role in achieving change.

In July, Llangunllo members and guests visited the Acton Scott Heritage Farm, near Church Stretton to explore how farming was carried out in days gone by. Initially privately owned, but since 2024 run by a charity, with the help of volunteers, the farm looks to raise public awareness, hold activities, reconnect with nature and escape the modern world.

We decided on an early morning visit, hoping the hot weather would be kind to us, and on arrival were interested to see what the farm had to offer.

There is a “Whats On” to let you know what is happening on different days, and the day of our visit, it was a demonstration of hay making with scythes and shire horses.

The barns are home to old machinery and implements, workshops and a blacksmith’s forge for visitors to appreciate the workings of a Victorian farm. We spoke to some of the volunteers as they undertook the task of cleaning out the pigs – namely Dulce and Joan. They, with other rare breeds of goats, sheep, cows, ducks and poultry, help to fill the “mixen” – the traditional farmyard manure heap (we took care where we walked!) The muck from the mixen is recycled onto the land and farming is sustainable.

A visit to the Bailiff’s cottage showed how farm workers and their families lived, and as we wandered around we appreciated all the farm had to offer, including the great views across the valley.

An enjoyable visit was rounded off with with coffee and cake at the cafe inside the Old School House.

Members take a break from WI in August and look forward to the September meeting, when Chris Storer will talk to us on Bread Making, to include tasting.

Guests are always welcome to join us and for further information please contact Isabel, Secretary, 01547 550689/mramorris@btconnect.com

Words: Isabel Morris Photos: Michael Brown