Conservation, history, green living and local self-sufficiency are the priorities for these volunteers.

All | Charlotte | Jessica | Laura

Monday Sep 28, 2009

"Is That Sheep Called Horacio?"

The best thing about hands-on, in-person volunteering, for me at least, is that the people you encounter can make even the most mundane of tasks enjoyable. Today, I was charged with putting some signs around the farm, informing the general public of everything from fire procedure and emergency meeting points, to reminding them that the horses are on a strict no-bread diet, and that visitors Should Not Eat The Animal Food.

It was something of a buzz to be let loose on the farm with a toolbox. I certainly had an extra swagger in my step as I traversed the farm, swinging my hammer and imagining myself as a bona fide farmhand. Hammering notices onto the stable doors made me feel like a consummate professional, although hammering the same notices onto the walls of the small animal house, just made me feel guilty (although Hannah the tarantula took the racket in her stride.)

I quickly discovered that an unexpected side effect of walking around a farm with any sort of tool, is the illusion that you Know What You’re Doing. Within minutes, a group of youngsters approached me and asked if they could buy some goat food. Presumably, they didn’t mean off me directly. After a brief, just-opened-the-exam-paper panic, I realised I knew the answer to this question and pointed them in the direction of the farm shop.

But things only got more surreal. As I was minding my own business hammering a fire safety notice onto the stable doors, a child on the opposite side of the road shouted, suddenly and without any prior warning, “is that Elvis?” I did a double-take (after all, this is not a question you’re ever expected to be asked) and then realised he was pointing at the goat pen. I answered that yes, that’s Elvis over there, and mentally ticked off Number Seventy-Two on my ‘Sentences I Will Probably Never Say’ list.

And, just when I thought my interactions with the general public couldn’t possibly get anymore random, another young ‘un approached me, pointed at one of the sheep and asked, without a trace of irony and with perfect pronunciation “is that sheep called Horacio?” ‘I certainly hope so!’ I thought ‘because that’s the most awesome name for a sheep I’ve ever heard!’

After wandering around in the sunshine for a little while longer, hammering away (and, in all honesty, getting a little hammer-happy and ending up giving myself a headache) it was time to venture inside for some indoors signposting action. As per usual, I had no idea where I was going, but as per usual, help was on hand, and I was pointed in the right direction.

The right direction turned out to be another part of the farm I had yet to explore, which catered to the young adults who visit the farm on educational placements. The first room was the woodwork cabin, which took me straight back to technology classes at school, but the second room, nicknamed ‘The Green Cabin’ (because it’s green. And a cabin.) was like nothing I’d been fortunate enough to encounter at school. Every inch of the walls were covered in arty graffiti, in every colour imaginable. Even the fire door was painted. I was immediately distraught that I’d missed the painting process although, admiring some of the jaw-droppingly artistic graffiti, I realised it was probably a blessing. I’d have only embarrassed myself.

Despite growing rather attached to my hammer, the time had come to down tools and become just another member of the public, which was probably for the best - I don’t think anyone could have topped that child’s Horacio question!

Posted by Jessica ( 6:35 PM )
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