In response to the Covid-19 outbreak and the current need to close the Rare Breeds Centre to the public we need your help to be able to continue our work into the future. Hadleigh Farm Estate Rare Breeds Centre relies upon the income made from entry fees, season ticket sales, educational visits, birthday parties, sales from the shop and donations to be able to operate. 　

As a centre we aim to be more than 'just a farm'. The farm itself was started in 1890 when the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, bought the land surrounding Hadleigh with a vision to help those less fortunate than himself to gain skills and knowledge in order to gain employment. The farm formed the Farm Colony, part of Booth's "Darkest England" scheme. The location of Hadleigh was chosen due to the proximity to London where the City Colony was based along with access to both the Thames estuary and the railway. The Farm Colony gave employment and food and lodgings in return for labour to anyone who was willing to work, irrespective of nationality or creed. The role of the site may have changed over the years from Farm Colony, to lodgings for both Basque and Jewish refugees, a training centre for youth offenders to a Training Centre for adults with additional needs and a Rare Breeds Centre. However the aim has always been to help support those in need following the Salvation Army's Mission 'to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity'. 　

The Rare Breeds Centre opened in 2004 and has since gained recognition by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and is now an RBST approved farm park and also a LEAF (Linking Education and Farming) member. We work to conserve and protect our countries Rare Breed livestock whilst educating both young and old within our community about the animals and also the work of the Salvation Army on a wider scale. The Rare Breeds Centre works closely with Hadleigh Training Centre to provide training to our trainees in animal husbandry and site maintenance. During our open season from March to November we have an extensive education programme as well as a care farming programme which run alongside the Rare Breeds Centre being open as a public farm. During the current time due to the Covid-19 outbreak none of these are operational and so our income is limited. 　

The daily running costs of the Rare Breeds Centre alone, not including the work of the rest of the Estate (Arable Farm, Hadleigh Training Centre, The Hub Cafe and Tearooms) is around £610 plus any additional veterinary bills and despite currently being closed our animals are still needing to be cared for by our team. 　

Your support is critical to the longevity of the centre. If you would like to visit us when the current situation is over please help us during these difficult times. Any donation towards the cause would be gratefully received. What ever you can spare during this time will help us to ensure the animals are well cared for and ensure their future for you to see them once we can re-open. 　

Any donations received that exceed the needs of the Rare Breeds Centre will go towards the food distribution work that the Estate undertakes.

The Salvation Army is a Christian Church & registered Charity working in 130 countries worldwide and is one of the largest and most diverse providers of social welfare in the world. In the UK and Republic of Ireland this work includes more than 800 Salvation Army social service centres and community churches. We provide unconditional friendship, support and very practical help to people in crisis and need and work with children, homeless people, all adult victims of modern slavery and those dealing with drug and/or alcohol addiction.