GARDENING FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Green-fingered schoolchildren are being encouraged to show off the fruits of their labours at this year’s Countryside Live.

The annual countryside event, now in its 11thyear is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and takes place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October in Harrogate.

Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “It’s very much a day out for all the family and over the years we have added new elements. Certainly the horticultural feature attracts a significant crowd and is an important part of the show.”

As well as competitive classes for cattle, sheep, horses, pigeons and poultry, the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower show always proves a popular attraction with visitors.

This year, there’s the usual mix of flower and vegetable classes as well as an opportunity for youngsters to showcase produce grown within their school gardening clubs.

Last year, five local schools took the opportunity to display their produce, and detail their garden club activities and this year Mike Prest who organises the horticultural section, hopes even more will get involved.

The Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Show at Countryside Live is run by Knaresborough Horticultural Society as their Autumn Show.

“For the first time last year, we had our own marquee at Countryside Live, which proved a great success,” said Mr Prest. “We had more room for our displays and indeed, more visitors. We are encouraging more schools to take part again this year,” he said.

New for Countryside Live are the Arena Driving Trials - a carriage driving competition - as well as chainsaw carving demonstrations and displays from the Tailwagger Dog Team.

Other attractions include ferret racing, archery and the popular contest to find Britain’s most talented show jumper with Olympic stars Graham and Tina Fletcher in the judges’ hot seat.

TICKET PRICES

Tickets are available at the event and in advance (booking deadline: Friday 11 October)

Please note: Dogs other than assistance dogs are not allowed so please leave your pets at home.

For more information and tickets visit the website at www.countrysidelive.co.uk

ENDS

16 September 2013

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society – 01423 546215 or judyt@yas.co.uk

If you wish to apply for press passes to Countryside Live, please complete the online application form on our website, by 11th October 2013 – http://countrysidelive.co.uk/media/press-passes

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: 

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. This ranges from educational initiatives to the Society’s Nuffield Scholarships to hosting the Yorkshire Rural Support Network. The Society is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s award winning regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009.

The Society is the organiser of the annual farming and country showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Both take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and are flagship events for agriculture and rural life. Dates for the next Countryside Live are Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October and the 2014 Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 July. See also www.yas.co.uk and www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

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