Staff Face Emotional Challenges Following Dairyland Farm Park Closure

Dairyland Farm Park general manager Keith Thompson stated that the process has been “very difficult and very emotional for the staff,” noting that “They all have names.” The tourist attraction, situated near Newquay, Cornwall, ceased operations permanently earlier this month, concluding 49 years of service, a decision attributed to spiralling costs. Currently, an initiative is in progress to relocate the 200 animals previously cared for by staff, aiming to secure new loving homes for them. Mr Thompson commented, “A lot of the staff have been with these animals since birth, from being hatched out of an egg, or being lambed or calving from a cow, to them retiring.” The concrete yards at Dairyland are currently characterized by significant activity under the autumn sunshine, evoking memories of past periods when the attraction drew thousands of families. However, the site is now devoid of visitors, with only several nervous-looking deer observed being carefully guided into a farm trailer. The animal population at Dairyland was estimated to be around 200, encompassing species such as cows, sheep, deer, meerkats, goats, ducks, and ponies. A local farmer has assumed responsibility for the cows from the dairy herd, and farm manager Ocean Kendrick intends to personally care for the majority of the sheep. The rehoming process for all animals is not yet complete. Ms Kendrick stated, “It’s very difficult for all of us.” She added, “A few of us have been here for 25 years, I’ve been here for 10 years, so we’re all very sad about the situation.” Mr Thompson observed that the emotional bond between the staff and the animals was evident. He remarked, “They’re very sad, they’ve got attachments with these animals.” During its peak summer season, Dairyland previously employed 45 individuals. With the business concluding operations, some of the remaining personnel are occupied with reviewing applications from individuals eager to provide new homes for the animals. Among the animals undergoing rehoming are the pygmy goats Buster and Twist, who are being adopted by Jane Powell in Perranwell Station, Cornwall. Ms Powell commented, “We already have some goats and we lost one recently so I was looking to get some more and I wanted to rehome some… I thought this was the perfect place.” She added, “We’ve got some nice land and they’ll have a lovely home and I do like pygmies, I am in love with pygmies because they are such characters.” The proposed future for the site involves maintaining the cafe and farm shop as a tourism-related enterprise. Additionally, space will be leased to other businesses, and the establishment of a container storage facility is also under consideration.