'Country classroom' day expected to be biggest ever

Around 1,700 children from 45 schools are heading to what organisers are describing as their "biggest ever" Children's Countryside Day.

Organised by the Glendale Agricultural Society, children spend a day at a site near Wooler, in Northumberland learning where food comes from and about jobs in the rural economy.

Since it began 18 years ago, more than 27,000 children have attended the event which is also known as the "country classroom."

Chair of the society, Robert Brown, said: "Children are fascinated and many learn to love the countryside from that initial contact."

Finn Willcock, headteacher at Southridge First School in Whitley Bay, praised the "passion, expertise and generosity" of those involved in the event on Thursday.

“Having been a visitor to the day for almost 20 years it has been a pleasure to see how it has grown and developed," he said.

"Exhibitors teach the children that milk and cheese come from cows, eggs from hens, and bread, biscuits and cake begin in fields of wheat and barley grown by Northumberland farmers.

"They can also try their hands at country crafts and watch sheep dog demonstrations."

Representatives from 70 different rural businesses specialising in livestock, forestry, butchery and agricultural machinery are expected to attend.

Organisers said they hoped it would be the biggest Children's Day ever to be held.

Mr Brown added: "Understanding where your food and drink come from helps children to understand why healthy eating matters.

"The many stewards, exhibitors and sponsors will be looking forward enormously to meeting our young visitors and seeing the surprise and delight we know they are going to experience."

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