Tractors and livestock helped to tell the story of farming to thousands of children at Springtime Live as the sun shone at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate on Saturday.
This hugely successful celebration of farming, food and the countryside is hosted by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show with a mission to capture the imaginations of young generations about the countryside and where food comes from.
Children enjoyed meeting sheep and pigs, as well as heavy horses, exotic animals and creepy crawlies. A whole raft of free demonstrations, displays and hands-on workshops entertained young visitors, from craftmaking, horse shoeing in The Forge and archaeological dig experiences to drystone walling, mini Rovers and the story of grain from field to fork.
TV and internet star Chloé Fuller and her Super Spaniel Shows, about a day in the life of an Assistance Dog, drew big crowds and showed that disability is no barrier to success.
Popular attractions also included Diggerland, ride-on tractors provided by Ripon Farm Services, Moo Music dance classes and tractor trailer rides supported by Russell’s.
Rachel Coates, Show Director, said:
Farming has a powerful story to tell that can capture the imaginations of young people and stay with them through life. Those imaginations have been fired today at Springtime Live.
I hope everyone who came along, whatever their age, left having learned something new about farming and the countryside. It’s a story we must continue to tell if we want the next generation to grow up valuing the hard work that goes into producing great tasting, nutritious food.
