A POPULAR pumpkin picking spot returns for another year as Halloween approaches.
Bates Farm, based in Croft, will be growing pumpkins for the tenth successive year and have two events that residents are welcome to.
To mark the occasion, they have grown more than 5,000 pumpkins for their events.
Whether they are big, small, funny or white-looking pumpkins, there are some for everyone and kids can take a wheelbarrow around the patch.
Alison and Fiona Wilshaw are the daughters of Mike and Diane Wilshaw, who are owners of Bates Farm. The sisters cannot wait to get started again.
“Nothing kick-starts autumn like pumpkin picking – it’s one of my favourite times of the year,” Fiona, who has just graduated from University, said.
“Watching the leaves change colour and the mornings get fresher. Being on the farm you really appreciate the change in seasons.
“It’s very rewarding harvesting the pumpkins, knowing that six months of hard work has been well spent.”
Alison, a marketing manager added: “I love watching kids get stuck in, getting their hands dirty and getting giddy over which pumpkin to choose and then inevitably nominating dad to carve the pumpkin.
The sisters cannot wait for pumpkin picking season to return - Pictures: Brian Tuohey Photography
“I think the farm provides a sense of escapism for many families, we’ve all had a tough time this past 18 months and it’s so lovely for families to be able to spend quality time together outdoors and enjoy something that feels a little bit normal.”
The pumpkin patch will run on October 16 and 17, as well as 23 and 24 with nine tours on each day which lasts for an hour.
Following the tour, refreshments will be served in the picnic area.
Pumpkin picking at Bates Farm returns - Pictures: Brian Tuohey Photography
Alison continued: “We expect tickets to sell out quickly, so please do keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest updates and ticket releases.
“At Easter, we put 200 tickets on for our finale weekend and we sold out within two minutes.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported us so far. We have absolutely loved diversifying the farm and offering more events to the public, particularly over this past year.
Jumping for joy ahead of Halloween - Pictures: Brian Tuohey Photography
“It’s great that the farm means so much to others, as it does to us.”
Tickets are available here.
The farm is also selling some pumpkins from the farm gate for those that don’t want to go to pick from the patch which does not require booking.
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