Pumpkins galore at Heritage Farm

Organiser Merrie Jee said that hundreds of visitors had come through the gates over the two days.

‘It’s been quite busy, we’ve been pleasantly surprised. We were going to get a clicker but there was so many people coming by we couldn’t count.

‘I think so many have come because of the variety. We haven’t just done pumpkins,’ she said.

Also on offer were a variety of stalls from independent sellers, a spooky maze, tractors to play on, and farm animals dotted around the field.

Visitors were also invited to stay at the farm to carve their chosen pumpkin.

‘It’s a proper day out. We had people stay yesterday way after it finished to carve their pumpkins so they didn’t have to take the mess home, which we didn’t mind at all.

‘We aren’t sure exactly, but my mum seems to think we had about

1,200 pumpkins.’

The idea to put on the community event came after Brooklands Farm at Kings Mills closed its doors last year. It had been growing pumpkins and inviting islanders to visit at Halloween for 20 years.

The former Brooklands Farm owners, Graham and Linda Dorey, had made the decision to close the farm at the end of 2019 but said their choice was confirmed when the pandemic hit.

‘Everyone suddenly started growing pumpkins when they closed, the island has turned orange,’ said Miss Jee.

She added that it was hoped to stage more similar events on the farm in the future and that she had been considering a Christmas event.

‘We've had three school visits too. It would be great to put on more things.’

Many islanders chose to visit with their young children, including Jess Neville-Taylor, who took her daughter, Harriet, 2, and her five-year-old son, Jack.

‘We need to get the kids some pumpkins and get ready to go home and carve them. I expect Jack’s will be something spooky.

‘It’s just lovely in the October sunshine and lovely to be able to be outside and doing this.’