Record Numbers For Family Food and Farming Show 22nd April 2011

The Three Counties Agricultural Society’s fourth Easter holiday food, farming and countryside event, was a roaring success, as record numbers of visitors turned out on a sunny day to enjoy an action-packed programme of entertainment and hands-on education.

Glorious weather and temperatures of 23 degrees, coupled with a whole host of new attractions, combined to bring more than 5,000 youngsters and their families to CountryTastic – an annual one-day interactive spectacular aimed at reconnecting children to food, farming and the countryside environment.

Little ones came with mums and dads, grandparents and friends to enjoy a snapshot of country life, with a chance for everyone to have a go at cookery, felt-work, butter-making, and pond-dipping.

New attractions for 2011 included Wildlife Way and Cow Corner, with plenty of opportunities for little ones to get up close to a whole host of animals including Wendy Scudamore’s Swedish miniature pigs, otherwise known as the ‘Little Swedes’.

The ‘Wag and Bone Ring’ timetable included Meirion Owen and his Quack Pack with a hilarious demonstration of duck herding, an amazing display of piggy agility, and the extremely popular Sheep Show and its dancing sheep, with a special performance of ‘The Sheep Show Hustle’!

Other attractions included tractor trailer and dray horse rides, a demonstration of spinning by The Murmuring Wheel group, and a creepy crawly hunt in association with the Field Studies Council.

Adam Henson of the BBC’s Countryfile programme, who has supported the event since its inception, was the special guest, and spent the day chatting to visitors and exhibitors. He also shared the livestock ring commentary with farmer, Clive Davies, who keeps the Westwood herd of Herefords at Mamble, near Kidderminster.

Said Sharon Gilbert, Press & PR Manager for the Society: “CountryTastic aims to show people the link between food and farms, and helps promote British agriculture to a new generation. For many children and their families, events like this are a great opportunity to experience the countryside and its treasures first-hand. We don’t want children to come here as bystanders, we want them to be involved in practical activities. I think that’s what makes the event so compelling, and so worthwhile.

We are delighted with today’s attendance, and pleased to have such an excellent lead in to the Three Counties Show in June.”

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