The Last Wagon returns Home. 7th October 2011
A hundred-year old relic of Scotland's shale oil industry has been saved from destruction and moved to a new home at the Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston. The twelve ton railway tank wagon was built in 1910 for the Oakbank Oil Company who operated shale oil works and refineries at Winchburgh and Midcalder. It was originally used to transport shale oil and oil products to depots throughout Scotland. The wagon is a remarkable survivor. Whereas most similar wagons were scrapped during the 1960's, this tanker was used to store sewage at a remote signal box, then lay unused in a siding in Doncaster for more than a decade. It is now unique, and probably the last sizable piece of equipment from Scotland's shale oil industry to survive outside of a museum. The wagon was gifted to Almond Valley by the railway company DB Schenker and transported with grant support from the National Fund for Acquisitions.
A Very Strange Photograph. 23rd September 2011
A visitor to Almond Valley recently sent us this very strange photograph, taken in the gloomy basement of Livingston Mill. He explained that he had been given a new camera for his birthday and was trying it out around the farm. Whilst alone in the chilly basement he found a setting on his camera marked “G”, that he had not noticed before. He turned the control to “G” and took a single picture, but noticed nothing unusual. It was only later, when reviewing the day's photographs at home, that he came across the picture taken in the basement. His blood froze as he stared at an image crowded with shadowy grinning figures that appeared to float around around the room. He picked up his new camera, but could no longer find a control marked “G”.......................
Are you brave enough to confront the ghosts of Livingston Mill? Come along to Spooky Happenings, taking place daily between 9th and 31st October, and learn more about this ghostly mystery.
Doing it for the kids at Almond Valley. 9th September 2011
While spring is traditionally associated with baby lambs, this September has been a time for baby goat kids at Mill Farm. All mother goats chose to have their babies at the same time this year and over the course of two weeks, six baby kids have been born to the delight of staff and volunteers. All kids are doing well and attracting a great deal of attention and admiration from visitors to the farm.
While content in the comfort of the barn for the time being, the kids will become ever more boisterous and adventurous as they grow up. Staff at Almond Valley are therefore busy constructing a new adventure playground especially designed to allow juvenile goats to develop their acrobatic skills. "Goats are great climbers and have a remarkable sense of balance" said Almond Valley farm officer Carol Burke, "we already have a play area with balance beams and towers on which they play, but we're now planning something much more adventurous". The new goat playground will feature stairways and a number of aerial walkways that bridge footpaths and lead to an elevated platform almost four metres above the ground. "We're sure that the new playground will be every young goat's dream" said Carol. The baby goats should be big enough to move into their new adventure playground early next spring.
The photograph shows some of the new arrivals and proud mums, along with young volunteers Rebecca, Anna and Neve, and volunteer coordinator Lindsay.
Wild Advenures. Daily until 21st August 2011
Go wild in the great outdoors in a summer-long programme
of activities recreating the lives of our prehistoric ancestors.
Every day, from 25th June, everyone can lend a hand in constructing
a prehistoric encampment, join in with crafts and games, and
learn skills essential for prehistoric living. Adventures
take place every day from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. No need
to book in advance, just drop by in join in. Follow the signs
to the iron age camp in Charlesfield, just past the wartime
garden. If it's really wet crafts and activities will take
place in the museum.
Secrets of the Potting Shed. 14th & 15th May 2011
Our special event for the Festival of Museums saw a little wartime intrigue and many daring deeds. After following a mysterious trail and deciphering a fiendish code, our secret agents found themselves in the wartime garden where eager land girls were at hand with beetroot cake, carrot fudge, parsnip lemons, mashed potato chocolate and other austerity treats. Then it was dig for victory and a chance to replenish your bean supply. After a brief wait in the air raid shelter, it was off to the munitions factory to make flower bombs, then onwards to General Meadowplant's forward camp where there were rockets to be launched.
Pigs in the Trees. 28th April 2011
The first residents of our new woodland pig enclosures are two Tamworth cross piglets. Pictured in the dappled sunlight are Wills (snuffling for worms) and Kate (looking glamorous).
The Nutty Bouncer. Our giant inflatable pillow is ready for bouncing... 2nd April 2011
Bottle Time for Little Lambs. 27th March 2011
Our boisterous wee lambs get their bottle every day at approximately12.00 and 16.00
Rabbits, Rabbits,
Rabbits. 1st March 2011
Our rabbits have been busy over the winter so we now have lots of lovely baby rabbits looking for good homes. We've even some mini-lops and giant Belgians. Prices range from £20 for jolly mix-ups, up to £80 for the pure bred giants.
Changes to Friends Membership. March 2011
With the rising cost of everything, and the desire to continually enhance and improve the attractions of Almond Valley, we have no alternative but to slightly increase standard admission charges to Almond Valley. From the first of April, an adult admission will increase to £5.50 from £5; a child admission will rise to £4 from £3.50.
At the same time, we've responded to comments, reviewed the structure of Friends memberships and adopted a system that is more flexible and more fair. In place of the standard one-size-fits-all family tickets, the cost of the membership will depend how many children are included on the ticket. The basic cost per adult remains unchanged. In some circumstances this will make membership cheaper, for others the cost may increase slightly. In all cases entry to Almond Valley remains remarkable value and often half the cost of equivalent attractions. If your membership falls due in March, you have the choice of renewing either under the current or the new system. After 1st April only applications or renewals on the new form will be accepted.
First
Tingles of Spring..... 21st February 2011
Although it was chilly outside, everyone had fun around the craft table, making decorations to hang from our springtime tree. Some made pom-pom birds and giant catkins, some wove nests for Robins and Tits, others just used their imagination and made some fabulous creations
The
New Playmill......... opens ! 14th February 2011
It's taken almost a year to build (on and off), but our new Play Mill is at last open for visitors. This desirable detached residence has many unique period features including waterwheel, clamber net, chute and secret passage.
Snowy Days 17th January 2011.
With a frozen pond, snowdrifts on the railway, and lots of hungry animals to be fed and watered, there's not much for a scarecrow to smile about.
