Blue Peter Star Helps To Re-Connect Region’s Kids To Food And Farming

Blue Peter’s resident gardener, the lovely Chris Collins, is to open Worcestershire’s brand new educational family fun event for the young and young at heart!

Chris CollinsThe passionate plantsman, environmentalist and children’s favourite, known for showing little ones that horticulture need not be stuffy and complicated, will be at Countrytastic (Thursday, 27 March 2008) at the Malvern Showground.

The one-day event is closely aligned to the Year of Food & Farming campaign, and aims to reconnect the region’s youngsters with the sources of the food they eat.

Chris will be helping event organiser, the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS), to promote the growing, harvesting and cooking of local produce for a healthy, less sedentary family lifestyle, and all the benefits of enjoying the great outdoors.

From simple hard boiled eggs and mince pies to sausages, barley bread and even harroset for Passover – children up to the age of 14 will be able to roll up their sleeves and get stuck right in with a host of exciting and almost certainly messy, cookery challenges.

Other attractions on the day include cake decoration, jam making, cider pressing, farm machinery, cob brick making, chickens and rabbits, a model farm display, birds of prey, wool, pottery, bees and honey, cooking with pork and bees and honey.

Worcestershire County Council will be bringing its mobile classroom – the giant Earth Balloon, and as a different take on the traditional tractor ride, Westons will be offering Shire Horse Dray rides too!

Said TCAS Education Officer, Sue Hodgson-Jones: The Year of Food & Farming campaign is a nationwide endeavour to bridge the gap between schools and agriculture, promote farming to the next generation of consumers and instill in young people a life-long appreciation for their food and the way it is produced.

Recent research shows there is a growing awareness of the countryside and the role it plays in young lives – but there are still very many misunderstandings, and for many young people, events like Countrytastic, may be the only chance they have to experience the countryside and all its treasures first-hand.

We want to show people the link between food and farms, and help promote British agriculture to a new generation. We are delighted that someone like Chris, who has such a proven rapport and credibility with young people, will be able to support us in our new and exciting venture.”

Countrytastic is an action-packed indoor day for children up to 14 years old. Admission is £4.50 (under 1’s FREE). Gates open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm and there is plenty of free parking. There is also an indoor picnic area and on-site catering. Please call the Box Office on 01684 584924 or visit the web site: www.countrytastic.co.uk

Additional Information

Chris Collins is one of the leading horticulturists in the country. His break into television came in 2003 with the successful BBC2 series, ‘The Plantsman’. Since then, he has worked on BBC1’s ‘Garden Invaders’ and UKTV Style’s ‘Garden Rivals’, ‘Turf Wars’ and ‘Hard Sell’. In April 2007, he fronted the ‘Digging For Victory’ series and is a regular contributor to BBC Breakfast News. He is currently the resident gardener on Blue Peter, and in 2008, he will be the face of BBC1’s ‘Castle and Country’. His horticultural qualifications are second to none and was formerly Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey. He has also worked at Kew Gardens in Richmond and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Philip Medal. He has a deep love of the outdoors and is hugely passionate about environmental issues. For further information, please contact Jez Felwick at Formtalent on 0207 7307 3180.

Released: 29/01/2008