If you’ve ever spent time at Hockey’s Farm Shop, you’ll know that the animals are as much a part of the experience as the award-winning sausages or the smell of fresh coffee drifting from the cafe. The animals bring life, laughter, and a true sense of connection to every visit. Right at the heart of it all is Freya - one of Hockey’s brightest, kindest, and most dedicated team members.

For the past two years, Freya has been an integral part of the Hockey’s family, caring for the many animals who call the farm home. Whether she’s hand-feeding the pygmy goats, chatting to visitors about the donkeys, or cuddling the rescue guinea pigs, Freya embodies everything that makes Hockey’s special: compassion, authenticity, and a deep respect for every creature great and small.

🌿 Animals at the Heart of Hockey’s

Animals have always been central to life at Hockey’s. For Laura and Jonny, they’re far more than a charming attraction, they’re part of the farm’s very soul. The animals reflect the values that drive everything at Hockey’s: care, community, sustainability, and education.

Visitors often comment that the farm “feels different” it’s genuine. It’s a working family (four generations to date!) farm that opens its gates to share a slice of countryside life with everyone. It’s a place where children learn where food really comes from, where families can reconnect with nature, and where the human-animal bond is celebrated daily.

From the moment you step into the paddock area, you’re met with friendly faces (some furry, some with muddy boots), all eager to share stories about the animals. It’s here that Freya truly shines.

🐐 Goat Goals: Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie & Weenie

If you’ve ever heard a giggle coming from the goat pen, chances are Freya’s in there. Our four pygmy goats -Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie, and Weenie are an energetic little herd who seem to believe they run the place. They climb, jump, nibble, and charm their way through the day, keeping Freya well and truly on her toes.

They’re miniature in size but mighty in personality. Visitors can’t help but laugh at their antics from balancing on logs to running races.

What makes this connection special is how naturally it reflects Hockey’s approach: hands-on care, respect for animals, and education through experience. When Freya takes time to chat to children about what the goats eat, how they’re cared for, or why it’s important to respect their space, she’s doing more than looking after livestock, she’s helping nurture empathy and understanding.

🐷 A Pig with Personality: Meet Mondy

If there’s a celebrity on the farm, it might just be Mondy, our much-loved rescue pig. Mondy has a big personality (and an even bigger appetite), and he’s the perfect ambassador for the kindness that underpins everything at Hockey’s.

When Mondy arrived, he was shy and a little unsure of his new surroundings. But under Freya’s gentle care, along with daily scratches, back rubs, and the occasional carrot treat, he’s become one of the most sociable pigs around. He now greets visitors with his trademark grunt and a wag of the tail, just in case there’s food involved.

That compassion mirrors Hockey’s wider philosophy: treating animals ethically, farming responsibly, and giving every creature, whether it’s a pig, donkey, or guinea pig, a life worth living.

🐴 The Donkey Duo: Lily & Lulu

Then there are Lily and Lulu, our beautiful mother-and-daughter donkeys who have stolen the hearts of many visitors. Freya spends plenty of time brushing their coats, cleaning their stable, and ensuring they have the best life possible. They love attention, and they know how to get it, a gentle nudge here, a soulful gaze there.

Lily, the mum, is patient and wise, while Lulu is full of curiosity and mischief. Together, they’re a living example of the calm, gentle spirit that defines Hockey’s. They also make a perfect educational duo for younger visitors, teaching respect and responsibility in the most endearing way possible.

🐹 The Guinea Pig Gang: Small but Mighty

One of Freya’s favourite parts of her day is caring for our sixteen rescue guinea pigs, including the handsome Mario, who’s often seen tucked contentedly in her arms. These little animals may be small, but they’ve made a big impact.

Since June 2024, thanks to the incredible generosity of our customers, Hockey’s has raised £925.49 for Miss Honey’s Guinea Pig Rescue (https://www.facebook.com/share/17QhJFb441/) Every penny helps provide food, bedding, and medical care for more animals in need. It’s community kindness in action, something that sits right at the core of what Hockey’s stands for.

Freya often says she’s “a bit of a chatterbox when it comes to guinea pigs” and that’s exactly what we love about her. She’s always happy to answer questions, explain what they eat, and share funny stories about their cheeky squeaks and mealtime habits.

💚 A Living Reflection of Hockey’s Values

What makes Freya so special and why she’s such a key part of the Hockey’s family is that she lives and breathes our values. Every time she kneels to feed a pig, brush a donkey, or comfort a nervous guinea pig, she’s showing what care, connection, and community truly look like.

At Hockey’s, we believe that animals have a powerful way of teaching us patience, kindness, responsibility, and joy. Freya helps pass that message on to every visitor she meets. Whether you’re a regular popping by for a sausage roll or a first-time visitor exploring the paddocks, Freya’s warm welcome and genuine passion remind you that this is more than a farm, it’s a home.

🌾 A Visit Worth Making

A trip to Hockey’s isn’t just about great food (though we’re very proud of that too). It’s about connection with the land, with the animals, and with each other. It’s about learning where our food comes from, seeing ethical farming in action, and understanding the respect that underpins every aspect of rural life.

When families visit the animals, it sparks curiosity and conversation. Children learn that pigs are clever, goats are playful, and donkeys are gentle souls. They see first-hand the values that drive everything at Hockey’s: sustainability, compassion, and community spirit.

Freya’s warmth and dedication help bring that message to life. She’s not just caring for animals, she’s helping create memories for every visitor who walks through our gates.

So next time you visit, make sure to stop and say hello to Freya, to Mondy, to Lily and Lulu, to Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie, and Weenie… and maybe even to Mario the guinea pig if he’s out for a cuddle.

Just don’t be surprised if the goats try to steal your heart (or your snacks). That’s farm life at Hockey’s, full of laughter, love, and a little bit of mischief.

🐷 Meet Freya: Champion of the Farmyard at Hockey’s