Kent Life News

Here at Kent Life, we are confident we have found the most intelligent piglets in Kent.

4 weeks ago, Juliet, a Saddleback sow gave birth to 10 piglets which have gone on to show tremendous levels of intelligence which resident livestock officer Amanda Clements believes makes them the most intelligent in Kent. Amongst their levels of skills the piglets are regularly witnessed apple bobbing to keep themselves amused as well as providing them with a healthy snack. Staff from the attraction had often observed some of them picking up stones in their mouths and dropping them in their water trough before other cheeky piglets swooped in and removed the stones from the water! This level of intelligence saw the introduction of the apple bobbing which the piglets love to do. Commenting, Amanda Clements said, “I’ve worked at Kent Life for 4 years and dealt with numerous piglets in that time and I firmly believe these are the most quirky and intelligent piglets I’ve ever come across – they’re an absolute joy to watch and never cease to amaze me”.

Mr Richard Lutwyche, Secretary of the British Saddleback Pig Breeders Club said, “I think many people underestimate just how intelligent pigs are but they are one of the smartest domesticated animals in the world. They are incredibly intelligent and can be trained from a young age to do a number of feats. The Kent piglets are demonstrating very interesting signs of very early intelligence”.

It is hoped that staff can train the piglets further by stretching them to their full potential with the aim being for them to participate in Kent Life’s Apple Weekend running on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October, where it’s hoped they will be the stars of the show. The weekend will allow visitors to watch the traditional method of making fresh apple juice with an antique cider press as well as sampling some of the local ciders on offer in addition to all the family fun going on.

Kent Life are hoping to shortly launch footage of the amazing piglets in action on You Tube.

MAY 2010 - UNDER 4’s NOW FREE…!

We want you to be one of the first to know that children under 4 years will no longer be charged entry at Kent Life. We are so proud of the support and feedback that everyone is giving us, and one of the things we have taken onboard is that Kent Life is an important place for you to meet family and friends. We also understand the pressures that the current economic climate is placing on family finances and I have been listening hard to your current concerns. We have therefore decided to extend free admission to children Under 4, with immediate effect. This is great news and we hope that you’ll be kind enough to spread this news to your family and friends. We are committed to family values and helping to make “Family fun you’ll remember” and this is a really positive move which we hope will help us achieve these goals.

If you have purchased a membership pass for a child under the age of 4 years old since 1 February 2010 we shall of course refund this money to you in full. All you simply need to do is bring the relevant pass with you on your next visit along with the relevant method of payment used. We’ll then simply exchange the pass for a refund. For anyone who has made a single visit since 1 April 2010, again we’ll give a full refund on production of a receipt. Refunds will only be given up until the 30 June 2010.

We have an exciting programme of events and activities coming up. Don't worry if you missed Peppa Pig at Easter as Postman Pat will be joining us on 3 & 4 July and Scooby Doo on 23 & 24 October. Our world famous racing piglets enjoyed the election so much they have now become World Cup footballers. Visitors have already suggested names such as Swine Rooney, Christiano Chirizo, Sol Hambell and of course David Bacon-ham.

Do you know that Dora and Ellie, our two adorable donkeys are now giving rides to small children and we have many great new activities coming ready for the May Half Term, such as the Junior Quad Bikes and the Paint-a-Pot Studio in Crafty Corner where you can take home a memento of your great day at Kent Life. All your favourites still remain; cuddle corner, ferret racing, the brilliant indoor soft play barn and outdoor adventure playground

Please help us spread the good news and remember the free entry for Under 4’s applies straight away and in time for our Bug and Nature week during the May Half Term from Saturday 29 May until Sunday 6 June.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

APRIL 2010 - Election Trot is on at Kent Life

Following hot on the trotters of general election news an equally important political race took place here at Kent Life today. Staff at Kent Life recently christened three newly arrived piglets to the farm attraction as David, Gordon & Nick. Keen to keep them active the piglets took part in a 'piggy' race today in which they donned the colours of their respective parties they are representing. Lining up at the start line there was a little grunting before the race got underway, entertaining both young and elderly visitors before Nick stole a march and pipped his fellow piglets at the line.

Commenting on the race, John Jordan, General Manager for Kent Life said, "As the election date has now been called we thought we would have a little fun and see if our piglets could predict which way the results will go. The naming of the piglets came about through their habits with Gordon having a bit of a temper and has been known to bite members of staff on the leg, with David being well bred so he had to be the Tory, and Nick gets on with all the other pigs so he obviously had to be a Liberal! The real Nick Clegg said earlier this week that the election wouldn’t be a two-horse race, while our very own Nick proved that it certainly wouldn’t be a two-piglet race as he came from behind to win at the death. I wonder if this could be a sign of how the real election race will go? One thing’s for sure, we can certainly call them all a bunch of swine's!"

Over the coming weeks we'll be running regular piglet races, below are the current standings.

One visitor who refused to be named said she "would rather vote for one of the pigs than the real thing."

Thanks to all our online voters - the final result is shown below