VISITORS to the National Trust’s Swan Barn Farm in Haslemere on Saturday are invited to join in a day celebrating traditional countryside crafts.

There will be plenty for everyone of all ages to enjoy and ‘have a go’. With woodworking and countryside crafts including pole lathing, timber hewing and carving, there will also be the chance to meet members of the Black Down estate team demonstrating their own country skills.

Visitors can have a go making roof shingles, willow weaving, making wooden pencils and fencing products. The team will be on hand to talk about life on the farm and work on the estate and there will be guided tours around the timber framed buildings which were built by the team and a band of committed and capable volunteers.

The day includes falconry displays, bats, reptiles and amphibians, a bouncy castle and refreshments including a barbeque from noon, with burgers made from conservation grazed rare breed Belted Galloway beef.

Black Down and Swan Barn Farm’s head ranger David Elliot said: “This is such a great event.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to see a whole range of woodland and countryside skills and crafts being demonstrated, and to have a go at some of them yourselves.

“We are very proud of the way this event showcases the wonderful countryside that surrounds the town.

“It is also an opportunity to see the hand crafted timber framed buildings on the site that were put up by the ranger team using local sustainably sourced wood with help from the local community.”

• The event take place from 10.30am-4pm and admission is free. Swan Barn Farm is just off the High Street, with a footpath access opposite The Georgian Hotel.