Rhubarb Farm in Langwith is opening its doors to the public in support of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Wednesday July 8th, with guided tours taking place at 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30.

NGS gardens open to the public on certain days of the year to raise funds for charity but the uniqueness of Rhubarb Farm has required a change to that format.

The guided tours will allow visitors to gain an invaluable insight into how the Farm is run and the training and volunteering opportunities it has to offer – there will also be tea and cakes on offer to raise funds for various charities.

Rhubarb Farm is a community-run enterprise that works with a wide range of young people and adults facing serious personal challenges. The Farm offers training and volunteering opportunities to ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, people with mental ill health, learning disabilities and teenagers struggling with behaviour problems, to increase their self-esteem, improve their lives and make a positive contribution to their community.

Rhubarb Farm was opened in 2011 with the aim of providing work placements, training and volunteering opportunities for people with long-term needs, through the medium of growing fruit and vegetables for market, which in turn generates income to support Rhubarb Farm’s work.

From its humble beginnings in clearing a huge bramble patch, Rhubarb Farm now cultivates eight acres of land on which it grows over 35 different varieties of fruit and vegetables as well as rearing 100 hens which produce eggs for sale. Over 300 volunteers have come to the farm, of which 70 have gone on to gain employment or further education through the support they received from the skilled staff team.

To book a place on one of the three tours call Rhubarb Farm on 01623 741210

Pictured are Rhubarb Farm Volunteer Terry Wilson horticulturalist Sharon Storey and volunteer John Bennett.