Holbeach Primary Academy pupils enjoy visit from lambs

Holbeach Primary Academy pupils were treated to a visit from some friendly sheep last week.

Five Dorset lambs were among those brought along for the youngsters to meet and greet.

Last year, two sheep named Pepsi and Shirley spent a period living at the school as part of a farm animal project.

However, none of the sheep were able to stay for that long this time round because of a lack of suitable fencing.

That is according to Elaine Nenzies, the school’s finance officer, who said: “The reason they’re not staying is because of a nationwide shortage of hurdles.

“So unless they are going to run up the whole school field, which obviously isn’t ideal, we’re struggling to get something sorted.”

With pupils currently unable to go on out-of-school trips due to Covid-19 restrictions, Elaine said plans are in place to continue bringing farm animals to them.

“It’s a shame that the children can’t go out on school visits at the minute, or go to a farm park like they would normally have done, so it was nice to bring the sheep in for a day,” she said.

“We are looking at other additions as well, I wouldn’t necessarily rule anything out. Obviously it’s the care and maintenance that will be needed as well. It’s just trying to find something that’s suitable.”

Five mothers (ewes) and nine lambs visited the school last week, with pupils allowed to feed them milk from bottles.

Elaine says Pepsi and Shirley will be “happy to come again” at some point in the future, but there wasn’t enough trailer space this time round.