Hundreds flock to Wimbledon for unique day on the farm

Leah Greville, left and her father Nigel Hales from Hawke's Bay at the Shipwreck Cafe, put together delicious kebabs with Pitt Island lamb and fresh seafood. Photo / Christine McKay

Fifty years ago Chuck and Jenny Edwards left Wimbledon with a trailer-load of pedigree sheep. On Sunday they made the trip from their home in Coromandel to be part of a unique day on the farm.

The couple were two of the hundreds of people who donned their gumboots to enjoy the best Brian Hales' Wimbledon farm has to offer.

"It's been a great trip down memory lane for us," Jenny said.

"Chuck was principal at Wimbledon School 55 years ago when Brian's mother was teaching there. We came here as a young, married couple and I joined the Women's Institute and the wonderful women domesticated me. I even learnt to spin here in Wimbledon."

Madison Vanwylen from the United States, with Michelle, Sarah and William Reilly of Wallingford. Photo / Christine McKay

It was first time at an exotic sheep day for Barry and Heather Eaton, from Palmerston North, too.

"It's marvellous," Barry said as he tucked into a piece of Meatmaster cooked perfectly on the barbecue by Clyde Harris of Wimbledon Road Farmkill.

"A little bit of time out on the farm never hurt anyone and I can see this open day growing."

Although it had been dicey getting the sheep in just minutes before torrential rain hit on Saturday, Wimbledon turned on a beautiful warm day on Sunday, albeit with plenty of mud.

"We're so lucky to have Brian in our district. He's so generous and pretty special," Weber School teacher Karen Phelps said.

Alan Jenkins of Hawke's Bay checks out a Romney fleece in the Wimbledon woolshed. Photo / Christine McKay

Karen's sentiment was echoed by all those who crowded into the historic woolshed, packed the cafes to enjoy delicious free food and swarmed around the crafters in the new shed.

Pitt Island sheep make their exit from the shearing shed. Photo / Christine McKay