A popular farm in Wooburn Common is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Odds Farm Park, which attracts crowds of thousands of families every year and has welcomed more than four million visitors through its doors since it opened, celebrated the milestone with a variety of activities last weekend, including traditional party games and historical facts and stories about the attraction.

Owners Steve and Jackie Vinden spoke to the Bucks Free Press about the celebrations and some of the highs and lows of running a farm-park.

Steve said: “It’s a wonderful achievement. It is a very good reminder of where we came from.

“In the first year there were maybe five or six of us trying to make it work, which was a real risk.

“Now we have 50 to 60 staff members.

“The team is one of the main strengths of the farm. We have some very committed and passionate people here – it’s wonderful to see.”

Speaking about some of the challenges of running a farm, Jackie cited the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 as a low point.

She said: “Things like that are always out there and they are out of our control, which is scary.”

The farm has gone from strength to strength since its opening in 1993, when it opened for just seven months of the year – it is now open all-year round and has been named farm attraction of the year twice.

Jackie said: “To be recognised as one of the best in the country we felt was a real achievement. It was a reward for the team and all they do.

“We want to make it the best farm attraction we can but it is always great to be recognised.”

Speaking about what they set out to achieve with the attraction, Jackie said it was to bring children closer to nature.

She said: “We have always wanted children in the community to get up and close with the animals. It’s always been at the forefront.”

Steve added: “From the really early days we realised that the farm-park needed to be a mix and balance of education, engagement and play.”

Jackie also thanked the farm’s visitors, saying the pair were “very grateful” to their “loyal customers”.

She said: “People who came to the farm as kids when it first opened are now bringing their own children, which is really nice for us.

“Without out customers we wouldn’t be here.”