Silkstead Sunflowers: Family day is blooming marvellous day out

Silkstead Sunflowers near Otterbourne, run by Kayleigh and Geoff Venn, opened its gates earlier this month and it put on a family day raising money for charity Friends of PICU on bank holiday Monday, August 28.

The day attracted hundreds of people who all enjoyed spending time on the farm, unicorn rides, circus tricks, tractors, live music, bubble displays, face painting, stalls, a maze and of course, sunflower picking. 

Matt Harvey, with wife Ama, son Joshua, 10, with Josiah, six, and Jude, three, hiding behind the chairs (Image: Kimberley Barber)

There were stalls selling handmade items, such as cakes and toys, food and drink stands, and budding entrepreneur Lexie-Mae Robson, aged 10, from Swanmore was selling her handmade bracelets. 

Farmer Kayleigh said they were bowled over by the amount of people who showed up in support. 

She said: "We have had lots of lovely people saying they have had a good time." 

Kayleigh Venn with Tilly Horn (Image: Kimberley Barber)

People had come from all over Hampshire for the event - to pick their own flowers and also to take some pictures among the flowers. 

Ama Harvey, from Braishfield, was there with her husband Matt and three children Joshua, 10, Josiah, six, and Jude, three. They were enjoying sitting outdoors in the countryside. 

She said: "It is really relaxing. The children have really enjoyed the maze too." 

Bea Nicholson and Dotty, aged one, Caleb Thompson, one, held by Taylor-Grace Elkington, nine, Lee Thompson with husband Sheldon and dog Mylo, mum Barbara Howroyd and sister Bridget Elkington (Image: Kimberley Barber)

Lee Thompson, from Chandler's Ford, was there with her mum Barbara Howroyd, plus sister Bridget Elkington, who had travelled from Wokingham for the day, and friend Bea Nicholson, plus a whole gang of children, partners and pets. 

Bea, from Braishfield, said: "I heard about it through local farming community connections and we are all quite local and thought it would be nice to go out and spend time together with the kids."

Many people had brought their dogs with them on their day out, including Keith Divall, from New Alresford, who was with his wife Gill and their dog Poppy. 

He said: "It's very lovely and very family friendly. It's great to see the kids outdoors, playing with bubbles, and it's been lovely weather." 

Friends Ren Harris, Isabel Garcia and Marvin Chatting also used the event as a way to catch up. 

Ren, from Eastleigh, said: "We just love the sunflowers. We saw the event on a community post online and thought we should come down and see all the pretty sunflowers." 

Friends Ren Harris, Isabel Garcia and Marvin Chatting (Image: Kimberley Barber)

Silkstead Farm is a mixed farm, growing and harvesting cereals and lambing a flock of breeding ewes. This year it has 10 acres of sunflowers. 

Donations to use clippers were raising money for Friends of PICU which helps families at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton University Hospital. 

Entry to the field usually costs £5, including three stems, and it is open every Friday to Monday throughout August. 

Huge Paddington (Image: Kimberley Barber)

The family fun day entry ticket cost slightly more, but included a donation to the charity. 

Follow the farm on Facebook or Instagram for live updates on its opening times. Search Silkstead Sunflowers. 

• Click the top image to see our best photos from the day.