ONLY 14 days into the New Year and the first of Sparsholt College’s lambs has arrived.

Shepherd John Garrett welcomed the new arrival on Saturday evening and he is now busy awaiting the rush of remaining arrivals which are scheduled for the college’s annual Lambing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 January.

The college’s barn doors will be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm for visitors to enjoy first hand the 400 ewes lambing.

For many, the Lambing Weekend is the first time they get to see an actual live birth and as Shepherd John Garrett says: “We regularly have visitors who come back year on year as there aren’t many opportunities for the general public to get this close.

“It is fascinating and a privilege to watch any animals being born and we welcome the opportunity to share this experience.”

In addition to welcoming the lambs there will also be the opportunity to Hug a Husky, watch dog agility displays and farrier demonstrations and meet the college horses and donkeys.

Open from 9.30am, admission is £5 per adult and £3.50 per child (aged three to 16), under threes are free. Two adults and two children can purchase a £15 family ticket.

n HEALTH WARNING: It is vitally important that pregnant women do NOT attend this event due to the risk of being exposed to a disease which can cause miscarriage.