Christmas Open Events at Hunt Forest Group

Twas almost a month before Christmas and all through the land, a deluge of autumn rain beat down like a band, with a hint of frost but still absent of snow, festive spirit was nearly a no-go. But alas never fear the Christmas Opening Evenings from Hunt Forest Group were here. With mince pies and mulled wine, there was plenty to drink and to dine.

A catch-up with old friends away from the farm, the children could play without coming to harm. Discount on toys, clothes and more, plenty on offer as you came in through the door. With decorations and lights, we lit up the nights. At Dorchester, a Christmas tree the size of a tower, on the Island the dyno was roaring at full power. You came in your masses from East to West, to revel in Christmas with us you are the best!

With each of our branches hosting events in a slightly different style this year, it was great to see so many customers both new and old.

Blashford – Wednesday 23rd November 2022

We started off at Blashford on the 23^rd November with all of the team on hand to welcome and serve customers, the Ag workshop was transformed with new machines on display from John Deere, Isuzu, Yanmar and more. With an almost endless supply of Pizza courtesy of the ladies from The Slinky Fox and a drop of the local brew from Ringwood brewery ensured merriment was high. Top work with the team at Blashford as the raffle raised £182 in aid of Macmillan.

Chilbolton – Thursday 24th November 2022

From one end of the county to the other, on the 24^th November we moved on to Chilbolton, as the heavy rain halted and the skies cleared a night of festivity awaited. The showroom was heaving throughout the afternoon and evening with both adults and children alike. The crowds outside mingled patiently in anticipation as the smell of roasting pork drifted on the evening breeze. The Hog Roast provided by The Brazen Butchers was devoured in record time and a great effort of £366 was raised in the raffle for RABI, thank you to all who donated a prize.

Isle of Wight – Friday 25th November 2022

On Friday the 25^th we crossed the Solent as our Isle of Wight branch welcomed customers from across the whole Island, hosting our very first IOW ‘Dyno Day’ with various machines tested over the course of the event. We had John Deere 3640, 4240, 7710, 6830 and more plugged in alongside a Uni Mog and a Massey 7618. Thank you to all the team on the Island for putting on a great event.

Tilshead – Thursday 1st December 2022

Freezing fog was on the menu at the Tilshead Christmas event, as the mirk and gloom dulled the senses the bright lights on our 2 John Deere 6R’s lit the way for another great social evening as you arrived on mass. Our John Deere farming simulator went down a storm, the added comfort of a tractor seat giving the full effect as plenty of visitors old and young had a go driving a range of John Deere machinery. We had’ guess the number of balloons’ in the Gator cab, a full range of sparkly new John Deere, Kramer and Isuzu machines on display in our workshop. And sustenance from the delicious baking supplied by Rachel’s Cake House. A full guided tour was also given to Devizes Young Farmers Club, all part of what proved to be an action-packed event.

Dorchester – Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd December 2022

Double whammy at Dorchester this December with back-to-back events for customers and the local community. An outstanding effort by all of the team to transform the Piddlehinton depot into a Winter wonderland. With fun for all the family and plenty of refreshments for all. Baking was provided by Ellie Junge and the Sausage rolls were supplied by The Thimble, Penny Bentley & Ian Frizzle. A whopping £2424.45 was raised for the Ducks & Drakes Cancer Charity and a huge thank you to all of our generous suppliers for their donations. Thanks again to Vapormatic, Kuhn, Sealey, Draper, Kramer, Melplash Show, R J & K D McLean, Nutley Farm, Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, Bath & West Show, Frome Agriculture cheese show, Langham, Vaderstad, J & S Crocker, Kramp, Purbeck Ice- Cream, Open Air Dairy, Sherborne Castle Fair, Ducks & Drakes, N Stickland, Kingston Maurward Barn Café and Dorset Blue Vinny.

From Chilbolton to Cheddar and everywhere in between our Christmas Open Evenings were a great success. Thank you again to all of our customers for taking the time to visit us across all of our Christmas Open Events, and a huge thank you to all of our staff for all their hard work ensuring each event was a success.