Aldingbourne Trust has announced their latest Country Centre attraction: aRTie the Land Train! aRTie will debut on Saturday, 03 December, offering a new perspective to showcase all the site offers through the comfort and excitement of a train ride. A Great Day Out at Aldingbourne just got even GREATER!

Karen Tyrrell joined the Country Centre as Visitor & Enterprise Operations Manager 6 months ago. She has since been exploring new and quirky activities to enhance the 'Great Day Out' experience. Securing aRTie was nothing short of a collaborative effort, though. Karen shared, "The Land Train was a little above our budget. But thanks to an Invest4 Grant from the Business Hot House Programme (funded through the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Brighton & Hove City Council), and an Arun District Council Business Growth Grant, we could make the purchase."

Bringing aRTie to the South Coast was no mean feat as his previous home was in Coventry. However, the superb team at R.T. Page, experts in road transport, storage, handling and logistics, offered to make the journey! Robin Gray, Transport Manager, said, "R.T. Page is proud to support such a good local cause and wishes them all the best for the future. We look forward to helping in the future to support the Aldingbourne Trust." 

Excited to embark on aRTie? Visit www.aldingbourne.org/attractions to learn more about Aldingbournes 'Great Day Out' attractions.

​Written by Lizzie Williams

From work experience to graduation day - we are excited to share Rebekah's journey on the Open Farm.

​Since joining the Trust in 2019 on a work experience placement, Rebekah has completed her Higher National Diploma in Animal Care (Brinsbury College), where she gained a deeper insight and understanding of varied species and the different aspects of looking after animals.

Rebekah knew from a young age that she wanted to work with animals. She had initially hoped to become a vet, but the further she got into her studies and farm experiences, she realised that primates were her passion.

With a variety of animals to care for on the Open Farm, Rebakah has made many unique connections. However, one animal has a special place in her heart: Sage, the Sussex saddleback pig. "She has been with us since she was a sweet little piglet, and now, she's a fully grown mischievous pig! It has been an absolute joy being involved in rearing her and ensuring she is cared for correctly."

Farm Manager Jon Clarke shared, "It was clear from a very early stage that she is a trustworthy and reliable person and this, combined with her caring nature, meant she was ideally suited to a support role on the Open Farm. She works tirelessly for the animals and takes great care in ensuring their health and well-being."

When asked about the particular highlights of her role, Rebekah shared, "There have been many, but if I was to narrow it down to one, then I think that must be supporting the clients on the Farm. It is the best feeling when you see them happy and achieve things they thought they never would. For example, I recently assisted a client in picking out the donkeys' hooves!"

Whilst Rebekah is proud to have passed her course with a Distinction, she's relieved she doesn't have to worry about assignments for now! Keen to keep expanding her knowledge, she has since enrolled in an online Environmental Conservation course. We can't wait to see where her passion leads her next. 

On behalf of us all at Aldingbourne Trust, we congratulate you, Rebekah!

Written by Lizzie Williams 

Wood@Aldingbourne Enterprise gets crafty with the latest landmark unveiled at Aldingbourne Country Centre - a giant Adirondack chair.
When you can take something ordinary, like a chair, and make it 5x bigger, you can't help but stop and bask in its extraordinariness!
 
Aldingbourne takes great pride in its visitor experience and constantly explores new quirky ways to enhance the 'Great Day Out' experience. Our Visitor & Enterprise Manager, Karen Tyrrell, made the proposition to the Country Centres Wood@Aldingbourne Team. Brian Alden, Wood Manager, came up with the design, but it was down to Volunteer Bill Adams to decipher the sketch and assemble a team to build this new landmark piece by piece.
 
It was a challenging build, Bill said, "We had to make it in the workshop and then disassemble it to paint it, and then get it outside before we could reassemble it again because it wouldn't fit through the doorways." Reflecting on the finished piece, "I'm delighted with how it turned out, and I think the best way to see it is with people sitting in it!"
 
Chloe Thorp, who visited the Country Centre with a friend and their children, shared, "We had the pleasure of using the new Giant Chair for some great picture moments! The children noticed it straight away with its bright colours and of course the size! The girls ran straight to it and wanted a photo together, so of course, we whipped out our cameras for those cute picture moments we all love as a parent! I think it's a great part of the centre, and both the children and grownups love it." 
 
Looking for a giant chair to capture that epic family photo you've been planning to send to extended family? Why not take a trip to Aldingbourne Country Centre, where you can find such a chair on their Oak Tree Field. 

​Stick PO18 0JP into the sat nav, and you'll be on your way!

​Written by Lizzie Williams