LIFE was returning to normal at fire-ravaged Roves Farm at the weekend with the owners spurred on by a massive showing of support from the public.

Animals were grazing in the fields as normal and the goal to reopen within a month was closer to becoming reality after a huge clear-up effort.

A blaze swept through the visitor centre at the working farm, run by the Burr family, after a suspected electrical fault last Wednesday.

Communications officer Pippa Burr, the daughter of owner Rupert, said: “We have had literally hundreds of messages of support.

“It has brought a smile to our faces after a difficult three days and has spurred us on to get things cleaned up. We haven’t stopped from Thursday morning onwards.

“We have had people offer to come in to paint, sweep and make coffee. We are in the process of going through all the suggestions to work out if and how they can help.

“One of the comments on Facebook said we are part of the community and now it is the community’s turn to help us.

“The response has really touched our hearts.”

The farm’s animal shed, bale stack with tunnels and indoor and outdoor play areas survived intact. The re-opening will utilise the New Jubilee Picnic Barn as a temporary reception area until the visitor centre is rebuilt.

A fully-equipped mobile kitchen will replace the Granary Tearoom, meaning the homemade cakes will be back on offer along with the normal menu.

Roves Farm celebrates its 20th anniversary on September 8 and the Burrs also plan to bring forward plans for a major upgrade of the farm in Sevenhampton, near Highworth.

“We could be defeated by this but that would throw away 20 years of hard work,” Pippa said.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and still have our season ticket holders who visit all year round so we have to take them into consideration.

“The inspections have nearly been completed and we are still hoping to open within a month.”

As the farm’s diaries were lost in the blaze, anyone with bookings at the centre should email info@rovesfarm.co.uk