Two graduates are hoping that months of hard work will help to restore a popular children’s farm back to its former glory when they open to the public in a week’s time.

© Umberslade Farm Park

Oliver Muntz and Matthew Porter took over Umberslade Farm Park in Tanworth-in-Arden after Oliver’s Aunt, Jane Muntz-Torres, decided to retire.

The pair began their friendship when they met at a local Young Farmers Club and stayed close when they both went on to study at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire.

Oliver, aged 26, said: “I originally thought about doing estate management after I finished two HNDs in Rural Leisure Management and Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper, but I decided that I didn’t want to work for someone else so Matt and I did this.

“My Auntie ran the site for 20 years and she finally retired last year and it was always in the air that we were going to take over and now it’s happened.”

The farm was originally a dairy enterprise but after many of the buildings became redundant, Jane decided to open up to the public and invite children to learn about farming and the countryside.

Umberslade now boasts a variety of both common and rare breed animals and a new children’s play area amongst its 30 acres.

Matt said: “We have been planning to open since I came here straight after finishing Harper more than six months ago.

“There’s a wide variety of animals including Kune Kune and Mangalitza pigs which provide a variety of textures and smells for the children to enjoy.”

The 23-year-old added: “We’re not just a visitor attraction, we’re a real working farm which means the public experience modern agriculture first hand, with activities changing as the seasons move on.

“Hopefully we’ll attract even more visitors than before and business will really prosper.”

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