THE scale of the task facing volunteers at the River Bourne Community Farm was all too evident at the handover of buildings that are central to the project.

Laverstock and Ford parish councillors inspected the greenery growing through the roof of a dilapidated shed and tried to imagine it transformed into a cosy home for sows and piglets.

Community Farm chairman Ben Parker is confident it will be ready by next spring, although he said with some understatement: “There is much work to be completed by then.”

The parish council has granted a 20-year lease on the buildings and surrounding parcel of land, and the farm committee is already developing an education programme for local schools.

Evening classes are also to be arranged in subjects such as cookery, beekeeping and butter making.

Mr Parker said: “Though we have a strong body of volunteers we are actively seeking more to help out, whether skilled or not, and also anticipate launching a ‘Friends of the Farm’ scheme in the near future”

For more information go to www.riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk.