A feast of fun for children at Countryside Live

A chance for youngsters to get into the kitchen and hands-on with some essential cookery skills is one of the central themes in the Country Crafts Experience at this year’s Countryside Live.

The two-day event, which takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, is the ideal place to experience a mix of the best of rural life alongside fun attractions.

Now in its seventh year, Countryside Live is held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, with 90 per cent of activities taking place indoors. It is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, best known for the annual Great Yorkshire Show.

The Country Crafts Experience is sure to prove hugely popular with children, and is organised by the Society’s Education Department.

Show Director Bill Cowling said: “There’s lots to entertain the whole family at Countryside Live, but the education activities are always a particular attraction.

“The children really enjoy the way they can get involved– and the parents are usually pretty keen to take part as well! It’s the perfect start to the autumn half-term and we hope families will come along and have fun whilst learning more about rural life and the important role farmers play in putting the food on our tables.”

This year sees a special marquee devoted to food, which aims to demonstrate the importance of healthy eating and how cooking needn’t be over-complicated.

On hand will be Dawn Carvey of Darlington and Julia Hutchinson from York, who run Kids’ Kitchen – a not-for-profit organisation with the motto: “Foodie fun from tots to teens.” Visitors can learn how to make healthy pizzas using local produce and find out more about issues such as food miles.

The Cake Fairy – aka Clare Taylor of Nether Silton, Thirsk – will also be looking for little helpers in her kitchen, as will bread-maker Andrew Wood. Meanwhile, The Food Chain features a farmer, butcher and chef who will demonstrate how our meat goes from field to plate.

There is plenty of opportunity to get involved elsewhere in the Country Crafts Experience, such as helping put together a wooden building with Yorkshire Oak Frames. The specially-designed construction features a range of different joints and can only be made one way – a bit like a 3D jigsaw puzzle.

There will be peg-loom weaving with the Bradford & District Handweavers, rag rugging, wood carving, felt-making, strawcraft and knitting activities. Members of the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers’ Association will also be present, demonstrating candle-making using beeswax and talking about honey production, while Huckleberries will provide face-painting.

Education Adviser for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Hazel Baker, said: “The area is known for its fun, hands-on approach, which is the best way to help children learn.”

Elsewhere, visitors will find mouth-watering demonstrations in the Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre, sheepdog demonstrations, showjumping, dog agility shows and hundreds of animals in the livestock classes, including equine, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and pigeons. There’ll also be the opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping at the extensive range of trade and food stands.

The event is organised in association with Change 4 Life.