A hidden treasure in a 17th century farm complex

in Cheshire which offers free holidays to youngsters and respite care to seriously ill children has come of age.

Supporters of the Children's Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) are not resting on their laurels as they enter their landmark 21st year.

Not content with offering a rural idyll for more than 2,000 of the region's most disadvantaged young people last year, the ambitious trust is aiming to go 1,000 better for 2006.

For the first time it has taken on a full-time team of play and sports experts - all of which will cost £900,000.

But with patrons such as World Cup winning legend Sir Bobby Charlton, England cricket maestro Freddie Flintoff and a small army of volunteer fundraisers, anything is possible.

Nestling deep in the north Cheshire countryside at Millington, between Northwich and Altrincham, the Adventure Farm Trust can lay claim to being a hidden treasure.

Even though the M56 and A556 are in close proximity, you could be in another world once you step through the gates of the 17th century farm complex.

That's just the way the trust workers want it. They cater for all kinds of inner city youngsters, some of whom have rarely seen a meadow or farmyard before.

Our 'tour guide' for the day, senior fundraiser Helen Crowther, begins by showing us around the sports hall complex.

Typically as it's a bright sunny day the place is deserted but it means we can take a peek at the games room, complete with Play Stations, snooker table and TVs. But with World Cup fever gripping the nation, the sports hall, located downstairs, is bound to be a favourite with visitors.

Heavy duty by design and able to host a number of sports, from football and basketball to trampolining and badminton, the venue was completed following a major fundraising campaign in the late 90s. Perhaps the greatest feat of engineering though is the way in which they have adapted the original farmhouse buildings for an entirely different purpose.

The old living quarters are home to a dining room and kitchen - which form an integral part of the CAFT ethos.

Like many young people today, more used to wolfing down their tea from a tray on their lap in front of the TV, guests at the farm are not familiar with the traditional 'sit down' dinner experience. If only for a few minutes each day, youngsters can learn about the importance of interacting across the dinner table - and proper table manners.

The farmhouse also houses a family-style lounge and a conservatory, which doubles up as Santa's grotto in December, and dormitories and rooms for children and carers respectively.

Sunglasses are required for our next stop off - the art room. Festooned with multi-coloured murals, posters and handicrafts, the facility lets young imaginations run riot.

As Helen said: "If youngsters are maybe reticent about expressing themselves generally, they can choose any number of art forms as their outlet."

Upstairs is a fully functioning media suite, incorporating a range of musical instruments.

Not everyone who visits the farm is able to take part in all of the activities on offer - even with the best will in the world. But a groundbreaking sensory room, based within the farmhouse, aims to stimulate youngsters no matter what their disadvantages.

Designed to appeal to all of the senses, the safe play area is a colourful addition to the farm's facilities, from a touchy-feely wall to a voice-activated light show, and a mini-cinema for cartoons and films.

Aside from the main room there is also an area where therapists can work one-on-one with youngsters with challenging needs. Helen explained how a smile can be put on the faces of children with severe sight and hearing impairment, or a myriad of physical disabilities, in the suite.

She said: "You are amazed that they can get any benefit from the sensory room. But their carers, who know them better than anyone, say they can tell the difference once they've been here."

The suite came into being three years ago due to a large grant from the Allied Dunbar Foundation.

Two specially adapted flats are also made available at the farm for respite care for families.

Staff have tried their best to make the apartments as homely as possible, especially as many who make use of them have spent long enough in hospital and hospice settings previously.

To show an example of how well equipped they are, the adapted bathroom alone with a tub, which can accommodate wheelchairs and related facilities, set the trust back £70,000.

Despite all the goodies contained within the old farmhouse there is plenty outside, including an adventure playground for the youngsters.

It comes complete with an army-style zip line, a climbing wall and assault course. There are more gentle activities on offer though, as our guide Helen demonstrated.

Young people are encouraged to get their hands dirty working on the farm's vegetable patch and greenhouse, help care for the sheep in a neighbouring field and collect the eggs from the henhouse.

Wildlife lovers can also spy on a well-used pond area from a specially adapted hide within the henhouse.

Tucked away nearby is a patio area, which plays host to regular end of week barbecues and discos for youngsters. The weekly get togethers also allow companies and groups, which support the trust's work, to meet the children face to face and see what enjoyment their contributions can generate.

Words: PETER MAGILL Pictures: IAN PARK