Rosebud creates fun on the farm

A NEW farming visitor attraction has sprung to life thanks to investment from Lancaster County Council’s Rosebud fund.

Animal Quackers Farm, an interactive children’s farm activity park in Bacup, Rossendale, has used funding to convert a semi-derelict stone barn which was previously previously used as a saw mill into a new visitor facility. It will host family days out incorporating turtle and duck races, lamb feeding, bird shows and donkey rides.

Director Terry Bork lives on the farm with his three children and has experience of running his own ventures having previously been self-employed in different trades.
He will offer farm tours in a bid to provide a more secure future for the farm and to bring more visitors to Rossendale.

Mr Bork said: “Rosebud has been really helpful and easy to work with throughout the process and now the business is heading in the right direction.

“Thanks to Rosebud and also support from my daughter Becki, we have been able to turn the Animal Quackers’ fortunes around.

“We’ve been busy getting the farm ready for the summer in the last few months and also looking at opportunities to branch out into different areas.

“We will be holding Halloween-themed ‘Farm of Terror’ events in October for adults with a crèche available for kids.”

County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: “We are very keen to help people in rural areas to develop successful business ideas. As well as promoting tourism in the area, Animal Quackers Farm has safeguarded two existing jobs, created two new jobs and brought a disused barn brought back to life.