Amelia Trust Farm celebrated their 30th birthday this week, marking an extraordinary milestone for the much loved farm. 

Dating all the way back to 20th September 1990, Amelia Methodist Trust Company Limited was incorporated to receive a farm spanning over 160 acres, with derelict buildings and barns. 

After the death of his Mother, benefactors Bob and Ethel Huggard worked alongside the Reverend John Stacy-Marks and the Methodist Church in Wales to create a memorial space. 

With a vision of using the farm as a ‘rural lung’ for an array of people, helping those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable remains the core purpose of the charity. 

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Karen Turnbull, who is one of three people who have been appointed Director of the farm, has dedicated the past six years of her life to ensuring the farm continues to be maintained to a high standard. Speaking at the 30-year anniversary celebration on Monday, she said: “The farm has only ever had three directors and I feel very honoured to serve as director in the last six years.” 

“As you know, Bob and Ethel Huggard set up the farm. Their vision was for the farm to be a rural lung for disadvantaged young people. That is still true to this day and is the core of what we do at the farm. We provide opportunity and hope to young people that are going through difficult times in their lives. We are an alternative school for 11-16 year olds who are struggling in mainstream.” 

“We are also a fun place for people to come and enjoy the outdoors. We are really pleased to welcome lots of visitors to the farm, as an education for those who want to find out about the environment and the outdoors, but also a fun place for young families.”

Thanking everyone who supports the farm, Karen added: “We are really, really grateful to you all for the work and support you give us. We have volunteers here who have been here with us for the whole 30 years. It’s wonderful that they’re still here supporting the charity.” 

Amelia Trust Farm relies on donations and fundraising to support the upkeep. Sharing previously, Karen explained: “As a small, independent charity, we don’t get any funding from the government. We have to raise all the money.” 

“We get funding from different sources. We charge people to come to the farm, we keep it as low as possible.”

“We rent out land to some local farmers who have their sheep here. So we have a variety of rental income.” 

The 160-acre land is home to a vast variety of animals, and so fundraising is extremely important to ensure the animals will forever have a loving home.  

To find out more information about the farm and how you can donate, visit: https://ameliatrust.org.uk/