News and Events

I'm feeling a little horse..

Andy Davey, Bournemouth Echo, Tuesday October 12th 2004.

A HOME for the elderly echoed with the patter of tiny hooves and webbed feet when a menagerie of farm animals entered two-by-two. Residents from Barton Lodge Residential Home, in Barton-on-Sea, aged between 80 and 100, went outside to pet the pot-bellied pigs, goats, chickens, sheep and turkeys from Millers Ark mobile farm, which were herded into pens in the garden.

But chair-bound residents who could not get outside did not miss out on the treat and held chicks and guinea pigs in their hands and even stroked a Shetland pony, which galloped in through the French windows.

Senior carer Beverly Barber said: “The residents enjoyed it so much last year we decided to do it again this year. “Everyone loves animals, but it’s difficult for many of the residents to get out and about as much as they used to, so we bought the animals to them. “They were really excited and it really made their day. It’s something I am sure we will think about doing again in the future.”

The animals arrived at 10am in a Range Rover and trailer and were then carefully carried, herded or led into the garden. They were all very popular, but the Shetland pony proved the biggest hit, and dozens of residents insisted on having their photograph taken with their new four-footed friend.

The senior carer said the home has a busy programme of event organised for the residents all year round, including coach trips and a Christmas pantomime.

Main Picture: PONY EXPRESSED: Violet Holmes meets a friendly pony along with its handler Hazel Wilshaw