A year on……

2025-2026 has already been full of energy, growth, and muddy boots at Lucky Clucks Smallholding C.I.C, and it feels like we’re only just getting started.

From the very first wet chilly mornings through to the brighter spring days, the smallholding has been buzzing with activity. One of the biggest highlights has been welcoming so many visitors through our gates again, sharing what life on a working smallholding really looks like. School groups, families, and community visitors have all had the chance to step into a hands-on rural experience, learning where food comes from, how animals are cared for, and what it means to work alongside nature rather than against it.

Our animal family has been at the heart of everything we’ve done. The goats have had plenty of attention, with visitors enjoying close-up encounters and learning about their personalities and routines. The sheep and lambs have brought a real sense of seasonal rhythm to the year, especially during feeding sessions where people get to experience those calmer, quieter moments that make the smallholding feel so special. Our geese and pigs have also been very much part of daily life, adding character, noise, and plenty of entertainment along the way.

This year has also brought some deeply emotional and rewarding rescue work. We have taken in a total of 12 orphaned lambs, each one needing round-the-clock care at different stages. It has been a journey filled with highs and lows, from the worry of fragile beginnings to the joy of seeing them grow stronger and thrive. Alongside this, we have rescued 73 hens, bringing them back to health and giving them the care and space they needed to recover. They are now ready for their forever homes, each one having a second chance at a good life after being given time, patience, and proper care.

We’ve also been developing more structured sessions for different groups, making it easier for schools, families, and community organisations to engage with the smallholding in meaningful ways. These sessions have focused on connection, wellbeing, and practical learning, whether that’s feeding animals, exploring the land, or simply taking time out in a natural environment.

Behind the scenes, a lot of work has gone into improving the space itself. Smallholding life is never still for long, and this year has included ongoing maintenance, improvements to visitor areas, and making sure everything runs safely and smoothly for both animals and people. Even the simple things, like seating areas and walkways, have been carefully thought about to make visits more comfortable and welcoming.

Community has continued to be at the heart of Lucky Clucks Smallholding C.I.C. We’ve seen more volunteers getting involved, more local connections being built, and more people finding a place where they can slow down, get outside, and feel part of something grounded and real. That sense of shared purpose is what keeps everything moving forward.

We have also continued to provide the community with quality, ethically raised meat at affordable prices. With growing public interest in direct-from-farm food, especially following well-known farming programmes, demand has increased significantly. However, we remain committed to accessibility. As a C.I.C with all workers volunteering their time, we are able to keep prices fair and focused on covering costs rather than profit, ensuring more people can access locally produced, ethically raised food without the high prices often seen in farm shops.

As we look ahead, there’s a real sense of excitement for what’s still to come this year. More educational sessions, more community days, and more opportunities for people to experience life on the smallholding are all in the works. Every season brings something new, and we’re ready for whatever the land, the animals, and the community bring next.

If this is what the year has already looked like, the rest of it promises to be something special.