A family fun day at Rainbow Rural in Barnston, which runs activities for people of all ages with learning difficulties, drew hundreds of families.

Dunmow Broadcast: The chariot racesThe chariot races (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Popular features were the fancy dress chariot rides with the vehicles drawn by bicycles, penny farthings from a group called The League of Ordinary Gentlemen, pony rides and the working horses.

The centre, based at a working farm has weekly and fortnightly clubs and activities for young people from pre-schoolers upwards.

On the summer fun day, children got the chance to get up close to chickens and to handle some farm machines as well as enjoy sausages and burgers made with produce from the farm.

Owner Carole Monk said: “The day was a big success. We started these activities because one of our sons has learning difficulties and we discovered that once people are adults, there are no activities. Everyone likes to get out into the fresh air.”

Dunmow Broadcast: How to ride a penny farthing. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOHow to ride a penny farthing. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Rainbow Rural is appealing for volunteers of all ages to help with the farm and in the admin office. Contact: Farm@rainbowrural.co.uk.

Dunmow Broadcast: Helping to move a chicken run. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOHelping to move a chicken run. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Dunmow Broadcast: Burgers and sausages from the farmBurgers and sausages from the farm (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Dunmow Broadcast: Enjoying the pony rides. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOEnjoying the pony rides. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Dunmow Broadcast: Children were allowed to try out the machinery. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOChildren were allowed to try out the machinery. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)

Dunmow Broadcast: Strange and unusual bicyclesStrange and unusual bicycles (Image: Saffron Photo 2018)