My everyday, extraordinary job: A day in the life of an on-the-farm Events Manager
Name: Tom Birkett
Place of work: Thornton Hall Country Park
Job title: Events Manager
What’s one part of your daily role that most visitors or guests would never realise you do, but is essential to making everything run smoothly?
My role involves a huge amount of behind-the-scenes planning that visitors rarely see. Long before an event reaches the final version guest experience, it has often gone through five to ten different drafts, refining layouts, schedules, content and logistics each time.
We often “test drive” elements of an event in advance to make sure they work seamlessly - this could involve getting covered in foam ahead of our foam parties or running around a children's assault course! Working on a farm adds another layer to the planning, ensuring out events operate safely within the environment and alongside the animals that live on site.
I work closely with our animal care team to understand the needs of our animals on site, and to make sure any interaction points without our events are designed with animal welfare at the forefront. What looks seamless and magical on the day is usually the result of multiple iterations, careful adjustments, and a lot of detailed work happening quietly in the background.
What specialised experience or qualifications do you need for this role?
I studied Event Management at university, which gave me a strong foundation, but much of the real learning has come on the job. Experiencing events of different scales, in different environments, and at different levels of responsibility has been invaluable in developing practical skills and confidence.
Working on a farm has also meant learning a great deal about animals and their behaviour. When planning events, we need to understand how animals might react to noise, crowds or changes in their surroundings, so I work closely with our animal care team and farm staff. Their experience is incredibly valuable, particularly when designing guest experiences that involve getting close to animals.
For example, I’ve had to learn how to plan activities that allow guests to enjoy meeting the animals while ensuring the animals remain calm and comfortable. It’s a balance between creating memorable experiences and always putting animal welfare first.
I’d always encourage anyone looking to enter the industry to combine academic study with hands-on experience. Volunteering, freelancing, and attending a wide range of events will give you a far deeper understanding of how they really operate behind the scenes.
Is there a myth or common misconception about your job that you’d love to correct?
I don’t think people always realise the sheer level of planning and work that happens behind the scenes, both before and after an event. Months in advance, proposals are developed, budgets refined and plans revised multiple times before anything reaches the public. Once the event is over, the work doesn’t simply stop. There’s a full pack-down operation, a team debrief to review what worked (and what didn’t), and a detailed event summary report produced to inform future planning. What guests experience in a few hours is often the result of months of preparation, and careful evaluation afterwards.
What’s the most unusual challenge you’ve ever had to solve on the spot—and how did you handle it?
In the middle of our Christmas event, a group of sheep escaped from a nearby field and wandered straight into our magical “Yuletide Village.” With families watching, I had to quickly throw on a costume and herd them back, all while staying in character in front of a crowd of adults and children. Thankfully, everyone assumed it was part of the entertainment! It was one of those unpredictable moments that perfectly sums up live events on a farm, anything can happen, and you just have to adapt and make it part of the magic.
Which part of your working environment is completely different behind the scenes compared to what guests see?
This can vary hugely depending on the event! At many of our experiences, we work hard to create fully immersive environments for families, whether it’s a magical wonderland at Christmas or a spine-chilling world at Halloween. But behind the scenes, the magic is all part of the show: beyond the walls of a terrifying haunted manor, there might be a cozy break room or office where our ‘creatures’ are catching their breath. The two worlds are very close to each other; however, we work hard to ensure guests never see the other side!
Which one tool, piece of equipment, or special technology is vital to your role? How does it work/help you?
Handheld radios are absolutely essential. When an event is live, clear and instant communication is vital to keeping everything running smoothly. They allow the team to respond quickly, solve issues discreetly, and stay coordinated without disrupting the guest experience.
How does your role change with the seasons, weather, or visitor behaviour?
My role shifts significantly throughout the seasons. From January to March, when we have fewer live events, the focus is firmly on planning, developing concepts, refining proposals, building budgets and preparing for the year ahead. As we move into Easter and through the summer, the role becomes a balance of office-based planning and hands-on event delivery. I’m equally involved in coordinating upcoming projects while supporting live events on the ground.
Autumn and winter are our busiest periods, with large-scale events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas. During this time, I’m predominantly on-site, overseeing live operations as well as managing set-up and de-rig. With such short turnaround times between major events, it’s a fast-paced period that requires careful coordination, flexibility and strong teamwork to keep everything running seamlessly.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned since starting this role?
Weather conditions are something that now sit firmly at the forefront of my thinking in this role. The weather can have a significant impact on how an event is designed, set up and delivered. For example, in summer we may rig structures or stage areas completely differently to how we would in winter, ensuring they’re fit for purpose in terms of safety, durability and overall visitor experience. Planning for weather isn’t just about having a back-up, it’s about building flexibility into the event from the very start.
If you could take guests behind the scenes for five minutes, what’s the one thing you’d show them that would completely change how they see your work?
I’d show them the back-of-house system we use to plan and manage our events. It maps out everything that happens long before an event is signed off, from initial proposals and concept development through to detailed operational planning. It also captures all the communication and coordination required between our internal teams and external partners, such as contractors and suppliers. Seeing it laid out makes you realise just how much structured planning and collaboration goes into ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
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What is your favourite event to deliver and why?
One of my favourite events to deliver is our Easter EGGventure. It’s a 45-minute immersive walkthrough experience where families follow the journey of chocolate, learning where it comes from and how it’s made, before designing and taking home their own chocolate bar. Alongside the EGGventure, we also run the Big Easter Bunny’s Party, a lively stage show featuring the Easter Bunny, which is sure to be a big hit with families.
What makes Easter particularly special on the farm is that the events and the animals naturally come together. It’s the time of year when we have lots of newly born lambs that families can bottle feed, as well as tiny chicks that guests can meet. Seeing children experience the excitement of the shows and activities, while also getting close to the animals, creates a really unique atmosphere and makes it one of the most rewarding events of the year to deliver.
Address: Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton-in-Craven, BD23 3TS. Telephone: 01282 841148
Opening hours: 10.00am – 4.30pm Weekends and Weekdays. Spring – Autumn: Open 6 days a week during term time. (closed Tuesday) Open 7 days a week in school holidays. Last entry is one hour before closing.
Check website for opening hours and seasonal changes. They close early on certain dates for preparations for evening events.
Any early closures will be indicated on the specific date before you purchase tickets.
How to book: www.thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk
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