insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 154

NEWS
ROMNEY MARSH ALPACAS STAR IN CELEBRITY TV FARM SHOW
Louie Spence and Megan McKenna
An alpaca herd on Romney Marsh received
star treatment when eight celebrities from
5STAR’s TV reality show, Celebs on the Farm,
took on the challenge to get up close and
personal with the adorable animals.
The hilarious celebrity antics didn’t phase the
herd at Alpaca Annie, Burmarsh, when the
show set the celebs various and often mucky
farming tasks. In August, viewers
saw TOWIE’s Megan McKenna and Bobby
Norris, Dancing on Ice judge Louie Spence,
ex-Strictly pro dancer Gleb Savchneko, judo
Olympian Ashley McKenzie, Sandi Bogie
from Gogglebox, Ex On The Beach glamour
girl Charlotte Dawson, and actress Lorraine
Chase competing for the coveted ‘Best in
Show’ rosette.
Annie Clifton-Holt, of Alpaca Annie, said:
“The celebrities are surprisingly good and the
alpacas loved them. Our alpacas are gentle
animals and naturally inquisitive, which led
to a lot of fun and laughter during filming.
While the programme is full of humour it also
showcases the diversity and hard work of UK
farmers.”
Alpaca Annie is set in idyllic countryside at
Haguelands Farm and is the dream of Annie
and Robert Clifton-Holt who started the
venture as a hobby in 2009. The herd has
steadily grown – the recent farm-bred cria
(baby alpaca) was named Southgate – and
has evolved into a thriving business selling
clothing, homeware and gifts made from the
herd’s own wool. The farm also offers alpaca
trekking on Romney Marsh and Meet and
Greet sessions which includes hand feeding
– both are great family experiences.
Haguelands Farm has been a family
affair since 1947 when it was purchased by
Annie’s father. It is very much a working
farm with arable crops, and both Annie and
Robert’s sons Alan and Toby take an active
part in running it. Over the years, the 3,500-
acre farm has diversified with the addition of
Alpaca Annie.
SIX TIME WORLD CHAMPION EMMA WIGGS MBE
PLEGDES PRIZE MONEY TO KENT CHARITY
Six time World Champion Emma Wiggs MBE
is competing to be crowned National Lottery
Athlete of the Year after reaching the finals of
this year’s National Lottery Awards – the
annual search to find the UK’s favourite
National Lottery-funded athletes and projects.
The brand new ‘Athlete of the Year’ category
provides a golden opportunity to celebrate
the remarkable achievements of the UK’s
world-class National Lottery funded athletes,
whilst demonstrating the impact National
Lottery players have on elite sport.
Para canoeist Emma Wiggs beat off stiff
competition from a long list of 120 other
worthy contenders to reach the public voting
stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards.
Emma is one of seven finalists selected by the
judging panel for their sporting achievements,
passion for their sport and ability to inspire
others.
The public vote will decide which athlete is
crowned champion in the first ever National
156
Lottery Awards ‘Athlete of the Year’ category.
The athlete who finishes in first place will
receive a £5,000 cash prize to award to a
National Lottery funded project of their choice.
Emma has said she would give the prize to
Medway Plus, in Kent. They run a water sports
project called Taking to the Water for people
who are disadvantaged. They offer sailing,
canoeing and boating for young people,
giving them better chances in life.
Emma said: “I feel very privileged to be
nominated for ‘Athlete of the Year’ at this year’s
National Lottery Awards. National Lottery
players allow me to represent my country and
win medals so it is amazing to be in the
running for an iconic National Lottery Award.
It is a very strong shortlist full of incredible
Olympic and Paralympic stars so I am
delighted to be on it and I hope the public go
out and vote for me!”
To vote go to
www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards