The Archers star opens new project
Actress Felicity Finch, who plays dairy farmer Ruth Archer in the long-running Radio 4 soap, The Archers, cut the ribbon at a new farmyard at the Grange Village Camphill Community.
On the same day her fictional alter-ego also attended a farm open day – at the Grange Farm in Ambridge.
Farm manager David Herman said the special guest enjoyed her visit: "She stayed long into the evening and was chatting with everyone there."
Residents donned traditional Celtic dresses and performed a Eurythmy, a Celtic blessing dance, in front of more than 200 guests to signal the start of the project.
The farm, which has links with Taurus Crafts in Lydney and Oaklands Park, aims to create opportunities for all abilities.
There are currently 80 people, half of whom have special needs, living at the farm in nine separate households.
Mr Herman believes the new facility will benefit the community as a whole.
He said: "It is a valuable asset to the community and will provide opportunities for a number of different people.
"We already have the George Cafe in the middle of the village, which is very successful, and I'm sure this will be equally so."
The project has been in the pipeline since 2004, but fundraising only began in 2006.
The farm is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. For more information call the farm on 01594 516246.
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