As a local democracy reporter, a councillor asking you to meet with promises of a mysterious story are usually cause for excitement.
However, when I went to meet Prudhoe South councillor Gordon Stewart last week, I began to think I had been lured under somewhat false pretences.
Instead of hearing the latest juicy council gossip, I swapped my pen and notepad for a shovel on Humbles Wood Farm, just outside the village.
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The small holding is open to visitors to come and meet goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys and horses among others and, unbeknownst to me, Coun Stewart had volunteered me for some important tasks.
In one of the more unusual days of my journalism career, I mucked out the sheep pen, cleared the donkey field of...leavings, and helped to feed the farm's population of chickens, pigs and (extremely cute) baby goats.
It turns out it was part of Coun Stewart's plan to promote local businesses and encourage greater networking. I, for my sins, was the new project's unwitting guinea pig. He has named it the "Prudhoe Friday Challenge," with further instalments featuring other local people and businesses set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Coun Stewart explained: "Prudhoe has a wide range of both small and large businesses. At this time, I'm trying to promote these businesses and encourage people to shop locally and take advantage of everything the town has to offer.
"The Prudhoe Friday Challenge is about getting people from around the town to promote other local businesses and network with each other. I want businesses working together.
"People aren't aware of everything Prudhoe has to offer. It has traditional small businesses as well as some large international companies like Thompson's and Essity, and we want closer links to everyone."
Coun Stewart also revealed he was open to suggestions from Prudhoe residents for future Friday Challenges.
Humbles Wood Farm and Country Store can be found on Moor Road south of Prudhoe town centre, just after Ferndene Hospital. It is owned and operated by Clare Welsh and her partner Clive Johnson, opening its doors to the public four years ago.
Clare explained some of the activities that go on at the farm and revealed that the coronavirus pandemic had presented the business with some challenges.
She said: "We wanted the public to be able to come and see and feed the animals. We don't charge but what we have done since Covid, because we've been struggling and need a bit of support, is asked for a donation of £1.
"We still want it to be free and that £1 can be for a whole family. If they want to purchase animal feed that is also £1.
"We have Ant and Dec the donkeys, pet sheep, pet pigs and a number baby goats, which have been extremely popular."
As well as the animals, the farm also runs activity days for children. It held an Easter Egg hunt earlier this year and has plans for both Halloween and Christmas.
There is also an on-site store where customers can buy pet products, snacks and more. There are also plans to introduce alpaca walking at the farm.
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