01 December 2009 : SSHHH…CHRISTMAS ELVES SPOTTED AT BACKRIDGE
 The magic of Christmas has arrived in the Ribble Valley with the return of Edrafil, Elwe and Feanor, better known as the Backridge Christmas Elves.The elves have been spotted by Tullulluh, the Backridge Farm cat, and she has discovered that during the night when everyone is safely tucked up in bed, the Elves set about their work helping Santa get ready for Christmas at the back of the Farm's Christmas Barn.
Commenting on their return to the farm, Tullulluh said, “I was so excited when I saw my friends had come back to Backridge to keep me company on these dark cold nights. They're keeping very busy as there's such a lot to do and work all through the night making some wonderful toys for the children.
“What they've asked me to do for them is to get local children to help by writing a promise certificate in which they make a promise to help get ready for Christmas. Things like helping to decorate the tree, helping to write Christmas cards, keeping your rooms tidy and being kind to others. Doing this gives the elves the much needed energy they need to make the toys, and make lots of children happy on Christmas morning.”
All the children who make a promise will receive a letter from their chosen elf and will be invited for a range of magical story telling events on Sunday 13th and 20th December at 3.30pm and on magical Christmas Eve at 3pm. The elves may make an appearance, but they're very shy and may just watch from their hiding places. Tullulluh continued, “Santa pops into the Christmas Barn to check on the Elves' progress and I caught him looking at some of the promises that have already been made…they certainly made him smile. “Don't forget to catch up on all the latest elf news by visiting www.backridge-elves.co.uk and remember, behave, be good, be kind and believe.” The Christmas Barn at Backridge Farm, Twitter Lane, Waddington is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
19 October 2009: A SCREAMING GOOD TIME IN STORE AT BACKRIDGE FARM
 Little terrors looking to spook themselves silly this Halloween are being invited to visit Backridge Farm on Friday 30th October where they can take part in a range of spine-tingling activities to prepare them for the big night ahead. The event which has been organised by Siobhan Howell of Wish Gifts kicked off at 5pm to 7pm and as well as the opportunity to carve out their very own spooky pumpkin to take home, little terrors can have their faces painted as ghastly witches or cackling ghosts, take part in a Halloween walk around the farm with prizes and join in a range of ‘Trick or Treat' games.
Commenting on the scary night Siobhan said, “I really wanted to give the smaller children a night to remember as most Halloween events in the area are just too frightening for them. “We're going to be having a fun night where the children can get creative with their friends, have their faces painted, win some prizes and take home their very own carved pumpkins to put in their windows for the big night.” Tickets for the spooky Backridge night are priced at £5 each which includes snacks and a soft drink, a pumpkin to carve that they take home with them and a party bag with Halloween goodies. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are limited so if you do wish to reserve a place please contact Siobhan at Wish Gifts on 01200 442479 or call into the shop at Backridge Farm.
8th September 2009 - MELT AUTUMN PREVIEW WEEKEND TO BENEFIT ETHIOPIA COLD CHAIN PROJECT
Businesses at Backridge Farm, Waddington are using their Autumn Preview which takes place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September to boost the fundraising target of local committee Blue Ribbon Fundraising. Organised by UNITE, which was set up by Melt, Paint Pot and Wish Gifts, the preview weekend gives visitors the chance to view the latest products and services available at the Twitter Lane destination; and take part in a range of activities and fundraising initiatives that will help Blue Ribbon Fundraising achieve their £100,000 target to help the Ethiopia Cold Chain project, in aid of UNICEF.
Commenting on the weekend Cheryl Hook of Melt said, “The preview really is the culmination of a range of fundraising initiatives that the three businesses have run throughout the summer and we really want to give the committee a final boost before their fundraising deadline of October. “Wish Gifts will be selling specially commissioned unisex blue and white UNITE bracelets, whilst Paint Pot will be giving youngsters the final chance to create their own ‘hand print wall tile' before they are mounted to create a huge wall display at the Farm.
“Melt will be selling its exclusive ‘Innocence' fragranced candle, which has already helped over 100,000 children, as well as donating 15% of all sales made over the weekend.” Other businesses on the farm supporting the weekend include Rohana Designs, who will be giving customers the chance to capture their children's finger prints in silver and giving 10% of all sales made over the weekend to Blue Ribbon.
Cheryl continued, “It's going to be a great weekend…visitors will be able to amble around and enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles, whilst a face painter will be on hand on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to entertain the children. On Sunday at 2.30pm to mark the occasion we'll be looking to create a giant ‘ring of hands' around the farm and release 100 eco-friendly blue balloons.”
The event kicks off on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th at 10am and ends at 5pm, and for those who don't know the way to Backridge just follow the blue ribbons from Brungerley Bridge in Clitheroe. The Cold Chain Project will see the replacement of dilapidated and unsuitable storage facilities in four Ethiopian provinces with a network of cold-room storehouses to ensure vaccines against a range of preventable childhood diseases remain at their optimum temperature. For further information about the Ethiopia Cold Chain Project or to make a donation visit www.blueribbonfundraising.org
02 July 2009: BACKRIDGE TRIO UNITE FOR CHILDREN IN AID OF UNICEF
 Three businesses at Backridge Farm, Waddington have come together to work with local committee Blue Ribbon Fundraising, to help raise vital funds for the Ethiopia Cold Chain project, in aid of UNICEF. This will result in some of the world's poorest children being vaccinated against simple but potentially lethal childhood diseases such as mumps, measles and polio.
Wish Gifts, Paint Pot and Melt have formed UNITE and together will run three fundraising initiatives in aid of the Ribble Valley based Blue Ribbon Fundraising Committee who have been tasked by UNICEF to raise £100,000 by October. Commenting on the fundraising partnership, Siobhan Howell, director of Wish Gifts said, “Melt has already given the Blue Ribbon Fundraising Committee a great deal of support and Claire from Paint Pot and I were keen to lend our support and help in whatever way we could to boost their fundraising effort.”
As part of their fundraising Wish Gifts will be selling specially commissioned unisex blue and white UNITE bracelets, whilst Paint Pot will be giving youngsters the chance to create their own ‘hand print wall tile' which will be used to create a huge wall display. Claire Tierney from Paint Pot explains, “We're looking to create something completely unique and at the end of the summer will mount all the tiles on a display at the Farm for all to see. I'm hoping to sell around 500 tiles so it's a chance for local children to be part of something really big, whilst raising money for African children.”
Melt who has a long established relationship with the charity, will continue to sell its exclusive ‘Innocence' fragranced candle for the benefit of UNICEF, with all profits from their sale going to the charity. Commenting, director of Melt Cheryl Hook said, “The Cold Chain Project will see the replacement of dilapidated and unsuitable storage facilities in four Ethiopian provinces with a network of cold-room storehouses to ensure vaccines against a range of preventable childhood diseases remain at their optimum temperature.
“It's fantastic that Siobhan and Claire have joined me in raising money for the Blue Ribbon and UNICEF and our joint efforts will culminate in a charity fundraising extravaganza in September, plans of which will be announced later in the summer, so watch this space!” For further information about the Ethiopia Cold Chain Project or to make a donation visit www.blueribbonfundraising.org The sale of each bracelet will benefit 25 children, the sale of each hand tile will benefit 12 children and the sale of each melt candle will benefit 200 children. 
Who are the Backridge Elves?
Meet Feanor, Edrafil and Elwe, the Elves in charge of the Magic!!!
Register to become an Elf Fan |