Spring Fayre 2025 in full bloom at EKC Canterbury Spring Lane

27 May 2025

On Saturday 10 May, our Spring Lane campus was a hive of activity as it hosted the highly anticipated annual Spring Fayre.

The event is a celebration of animals, sustainability, creativity and community engagement.

Organised by our Land-based, Environmental and Animal Care department, the event welcomed hundreds of visitors to experience the campus alongside a packed schedule of engaging activities and family-friendly attractions.

Throughout the day, guests had the chance to meet and interact with various animals that call the campus home. Meerkats, goats, chickens, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and tortoises were among the stars of the day, in addition to Shetland ponies provided by ‘George & Friends’.

A key feature of the event was a series of educational animal talks, delivered by some of our passionate Animal Care learners. These sessions offered fascinating insights into species-specific behaviours and care needs. One of the most popular talks was on guinea pigs, hosted by Animal Management students Jake and Eleanor.

Jake said: “It’s a lot of fun telling people all that I’ve learned on my course. I’ve also enjoyed helping them see what they could learn if they decided to pursue a career in animal care. What I hope that people take away from today is that guinea pigs are their new favourite animal.”

Another highlight was the snake talk, led by student Paige, who confidently introduced visitors to the world of reptiles, including Peanut, one of the College’s Royal Pythons. She also answered questions from curious onlookers.

Paige said during the day: “I love working with snakes because they can be so docile. My work with them has been a really good partnership to have. Snakes like Peanut can sense your emotions.

“Thanks to my course, I know I want to help people in the future and work alongside animals, so I’m thinking about going into animal therapy.”

In addition to animal encounters, the Fayre offered a range of interactive experiences, including pond dipping, craft activities, and conservation learning. Visitors could also browse plants for sale and receive advice on how to care for them.

The event as a whole showcased student talent and creativity from across the College. Live performances from Music students were the soundtrack to the day, including acoustic sets and original tracks. An exhibition of wildlife-inspired artwork from Art and Design students also took pride of place in the Birch building, with Hair and Beauty students delighting younger visitors with colourful face painting.

For local businesses and charities, the day was also a chance to promote and sell their many of handmade crafts and provide information about eco-conscious products.

We’d like to thank all those who attended Spring Fayre 2025, and to thank our stall holders and suppliers who have supported this year’s event. They include: