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Countryside Live: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October 2007 Don`t forget you can win a family ticket for this event by sending your answers in to the following questions before October 10th !

What is the theme of the new Fashion Shows at Countryside Live ?

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Countryside Live: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October 2007

Fancy a fun day out with plenty for all the family to see and do? Then head for Countryside Live, the ‘little sister’ of the annual Great Yorkshire Show. Held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, the event combines a host of activities, attractions, shopping opportunities and of course the chance to see some of Britain’s finest animals.

Heading the programme this year is “Titan the Robot” – the 7foot metal miracle who is sure to captivate everyone with his wacky performances. There’s also the Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre with mouth watering demonstrations from some of the region’s leading chefs – and the winners of the Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition will be making their public debuts. For the first time fashion is on the agenda with “Country Cool” as the theme for the catwalk shows which will take place three times a day. Check out the style, and catch the couture!Elsewhere there is the fruit, flower and vegetable show courtesy of Knaresborough Horticultural Society, a jazz band, the Yorkshire Woodfair, the education zone which is packed with activities linked with The Year of Food and Farming, and dozens of stands for some early Christmas shopping!

And just to add a little extra reason not to miss it, children are admitted free. For further information see www.countrysidelive.co.uk or ring 01423 541000.

Food is the central theme in the Education Zone at this year’s Countryside Live, with plenty of opportunity for children, and their families, to get hands-on as they learn. The two-day event, which takes place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October, is the perfect place to experience a mix of the best of rural life alongside fun attractions. Now in its fifth year, Countryside Live is held in the Yorkshire Event Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground,

Harrogate, with 90 per cent of activities taking place within the purpose-built exhibition halls.

Show Director Bill Cowling said: “There’s so much going on to entertain the whole family at Countryside Live, but the Education zone is always a particular attraction. The children who come along really enjoy the way they can get involved in the displays - and the parents are usually pretty keen to take part as well! We’ve got some fantastic features lined up this year, so it’s the perfect end to the autumn half-term for children across the region.” For the first time there is a Witches & Wizards fancy dress competition for those aged up to 12years. Youngsters are invited to come to the Education Zone dressed in outfits made from re-cycled materials; they will be judged each day with the finalists being invited to join the professional models and take to the cat walk in the Fashion Show. Further details will be announced nearer the show dates. Continuing the Hallowe’en theme, there is also a pumpkin picture-decorating contest. In addition they can learn exciting ways to re-use food packaging with Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate or have a go at bread-making with prize-winning chef, Andrew Wood and there’s face painting provided by Huckleberries. Members of the

Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers’ Association will also be present, demonstrating candle-making using beeswax and talking about honey production.

A new feature this year is the Countryside Live badge for Brownies attending the show. Details have yet to be finalised with Yorkshire Brownie groups, but the girls will complete a number of countryside-related tasks in order to obtain the special badge, which they can then display proudly on their uniform sashes. Education Adviser for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society,

Hazel Baker, said: “The Education area is known for its fun, hands-on approach, which is the best way to help children learn. All our exhibitions this year are based on food as part of the celebration of the Year of Food and Farming, and we’re especially excited about the new Brownie badge.”

In addition, visitors to the Education area will be encouraged to taste British cheeses by the Women’s Farming Union,

Burton’s of Wilberfoss will be making sausages from locally-reared meat and Ladies in Pigs will be cooking up tasty morsels in their kitchen for people to try.

Elsewhere, visitors will find demonstrations of country skills including thatching, cheese-making and pottery, and the first Countryside Live fashion show, Country Cool. Outside, there’s the Yorkshire Woodfair, traction engines, traditional carousels, the pigeon and poultry sections, the Knaresborough Horticultural Society’s Late Flower Show and, on the Sunday, the Young Farmers’ Tug of War competition.

INFORMATION Tickets cost: Advance Gate price

Adults £6 £8Concessions £5 £7Children FREE ADMISSION Car parking is free and extensive and there is free admission for Yorkshire
Agricultural Society members on presentation of their membership card.

There are also discounts for groups of 20 people or more. The Great Yorkshire Showground is situated on the south side of

Harrogate, with access off the A661. A free shuttle bus from car parks to the main entrance is provided. See www.countrysidelive.co.uk for more details.