We had a great time up at the Lambing Sunday Broomfield Hall. 

As well as the dear little (and bigger) lambs cared for by the students we also enjoyed the sheep, ponies and horses, rabbits, tractors, cows with their calves.  Then we walked back down to past the college buildings to visit the goats and the alpacas.  
And finally we went into the exotics shed to see the toads, big spiders with hairy legs ... and the skinks.  

A skink

I didn't know such an animal existed, as the only time I've heard that word is in relation to the wonderful Scottish dish 'Cullen Skink'!  Fascinating creatures they were, very smooth and silky - and they're very fast on their feet apparently.

Here's a link to the poster about the event: http://www.ambervalley.info/newsarticle.asp?newsid=2617#.VO3WH32rqm0.hootsuite

Anyway, we also bought some plants: herbs, sweet peas and cut-and-come again lettuce.  

I was given a leaflet saying that the Plant Centre at Broomfield, on the Broomfield Campus is opening soon to the public - from 5 April 2015 every day except Wednesdays, from 10am til 4pm.  All the plants will be grown by the students and are very competitively priced.

Soon there will be Pot primulas and pansies, sweet pea plants, alpines and perennials.

Later in the Spring will be: a good range of summer bedding and vegetable plants.

For more information contact: david.harris@derby-college.ac.uk.

Derby College, Broomfield Hall is at Morley, Ilkeston, Derby DE7 6DN.