21.02.03
Dairyland launches new 'all weather' attraction

Dairyland Farmworld, the award-winning farm-based attraction near Newquay, launched its £0.5 million new 'all weather' attraction today – and was given a definite thumbs up from 150 children from St Newlyn East School, who were offered the chance to 'test drive' the new facility. The new attraction is part funded by Objective One.

Boris the Bull and his wife - Dairyland's much-loved mascot, Daisy - were on hand to ensure fair play, aided and abetted by special guest Bart Simpson.

The Bull Pen consists of a large children's indoor assault course-style play area, (including a superb 'death slide', swinging poles and scramble nets) - with a special, separate mini version for toddlers - new catering facilities and four themed rooms for children's parties. There's also a viewing area for Mums and Dads, who will be able to watch their children whilst relaxing with a cup of tea or coffee.

Dairyland was the first working farm in the UK to diversify into tourism, back in the 1970s, and the Bull Pen is the next stage in Dairyland's on-going commitment to offer visitors a wide range of facilities, year-round and in all weathers.

The owner of Dairyland Farmworld, 85 year old Rex Davey said: "We've always been committed to the future of farming and tourism in Cornwall, and this year our hard work gained us the 'UK Farm Attraction of the Year' award. We're delighted to be opening the Bull Pen, as we feel it is important to continually invest in upgrading our facilities for our visitors – both local and national.”

Director, Brian Anderson, added: "Cornwall is such a great place to visit and we felt it was important to be able to offer something to visitors all year round. The Bull Pen gives us the flexibility to do this and we've completed the project in advance of our main season opening in early April, so that our local visitors could get a sneak preview!

"We're extremely grateful for the funding that has helped make the Bull Pen possible, and we'd also like to say thank you to our friends at South West Tourism and Newquay Tourism Information Centre – who've been extremely supportive of this new development.”

In addition to the investment from Dairyland, the new development secured grants from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) through the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and Defra. The project is expected to create six jobs, safeguard a further 21 and generate almost £200,000 in additional sales.

Objective One Partnership Director, Carleen Kelemen, said: "The creation of the Bull Pen at Dairyland is a credit to the success of the popular farm attraction and its commitment to continually improve and innovate to attract visitors.

The provision of the all-weather children's' play area will help to ensure a prosperous future for Dairyland by enabling the attraction to open all-year round. The opening today of the Bull Pen is really something to be celebrated, with the benefits of the investment stretching out to the local area in terms of the long-term creation of jobs and additional income.”

The Bull Pen is opening to the public on Saturday, 22nd February and will be open throughout the whole of half term and then at weekends until 9th April, when it will be open every day between 10:00am and 5:00pm.

For further details about opening times, party bookings and admission prices, please contact Dairyland Farmworld on 01872 510246.

Editor's notes:

Images are available from Apex Photo Agency (Tel: 01392 824024, E-mail: apex@apex-photos.co.uk).

The 'UK Farm Attraction of the Year' award is part of an award scheme devised by the National Farm Attraction Network and is supported by Farmers Weekly, Lloyds TSB Bank and the English Tourism Council.

Funding for the Bull Pen consisted of £125,040 of European funding from the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; £125,040 from DEFRA, with the balance from Dairyland Farmworld.

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) is one of the four funds that make up the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which is making £314 million available to support the local economy between 2000 and 2006.

It aims to:

For further information, please contact:

Brian Anderson
Dairyland Farmworld
Tel: 01872 510246

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388

jason@dclark.co.uk

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