Will is better known as Farmer Will to the children and teachers who have visited the farm trust and Nina has worked as part of the education team.

The trust gives children and many adults hands-on experience of a working farm, through residential or day visits. "Will and I have had an amazing experience at Whirlow and have made many great friends. There is nothing better than teaching groups of children about where their food comes from. Many of them – and adults – are so detached and have little understanding in this very basic subject. As Will always says, 'When you have a full stomach the last thing you worry about is where your food has come from'…"

Ecclesall Woods

When I came to Sheffield I brought my horse, Boris. I travelled from the Lake District and was a little worried about the hacking in Sheffield and was pleasantly surprised to find the bridleways running through these woods.

I found the most enjoyable time to ride was at 8am on a Sunday when you are not going to meet dogs off the lead (who chased my horse on many occasions and caused a dear friend to have a fall off her horse and end up with a broken pelvis) or people with pushchairs. There are lots of linking bridleways which provide a fabulous hack with well-maintained paths, suitable in all weathers.

Hallamshire Riding Society

I took Boris for his first outing at the Hallamshire when he was four years old, which is always a daunting prospect. I was welcomed by Alison, who is in charge of the club, and had a great day out. I went back many times as the show ground is very easy to get to and offers all sorts of classes for all ages of horse and rider and also training sessions for horse and rider. If you are interested and have never been before I strongly recommend a visit. Just look on the web for details.

Mayfield Valley

It's great most times of the day to go horse riding in the quiet lanes of the Mayfield Valley. You can enjoy a hack in lovely surroundings without meeting much traffic, so you can have a good natter with your friends.

It is also excellent for getting your horse fit due to all the hills. I have also been known to cycle on the lanes but unless you are very fit or enjoy cycling up hills this is not so pleasurable. When it snows there is nowhere better than sledging on the hill near the Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow. You can get there by by car and have lots of fun.

Abbeydale miniature railway

If you have young children as I do, you must visit the miniature railway in the woods off Abbeydale Road South. I enjoy it most if I take a picnic and arrange to meet friends. Then, at your leisure, you can take in the atmosphere of the enthusiastic volunteers who manage the railway so well and let your children take their time over choosing which train to ride on next.

Sometimes I have walked through Ecclesall Woods to reach the miniature railway, filling a whole day.

Burbage

If you have children over five and fancy a rest you can always take them to Burbage in the Peak District. I have been with my boys to enjoy bouldering for a couple of hours.

If you take a picnic and have a walk, it's a whole day's entertainment. We enjoy buying an ice cream from the van parked in the car park as a treat after a busy day.

Or you can drop down to Padley Gorge on a hot day to cool off. The children are entertained for hours looking for fish and stepping over all the rocks.

The footpaths around Whirlow Hall Farm

There are lots of footpaths you can enjoy which take you around the 138-acre farm, great for walking with dogs or pushchairs, lots of animals or crops to talk about and you could end up having a cuppa or a bite to eat at the new farm shop servery.

The Sheffield 'village'

On my first outing to the newsagents in Dore four years ago I got chatting to the shop assistant about the area and a local gentleman overheard the conversation and told me that he felt Sheffield was like a very large village. Everyone is always so chatty and helpful.

I can tell you that this gentleman was spot on, as in my four years' experience of Sheffield I have always found everyone incredibly friendly and helpful.

Thank you to all our wonderful friends, teachers, children, work colleagues and the volunteers we have worked with for giving my family and I such a great four years. Of course we will keep in touch…

Whirlow Hall Farm is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It stages a barn dance, including a live band and pie and pea supper, this Friday from 7.30pm. The cost is £13 for adults and £7 for children; an event with overnight camping, a live band and a hog roast is being held on Friday, July 17 from 6pm (£15/£8); and a 30th birthday party with a three-course dinner and disco will be held at the Kenwood Hall Hotel, Nether Edge, on Friday, July 24 from 7.30pm (£30 per person).


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