A fun day out for all the family is promised for visitors to the fourth Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair which takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Chanelle Hardcastle of Low Catton, York at last year's Countryside Live Food & Farming Fair

As the "little sister" of the summer extravaganza, the Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live includes a host of attractions, plenty of shopping opportunities, some of the finest cattle and sheep to be seen in any show ring, plus the return of the pigeon and poultry classes following their cancellation at last year's show.

"Countryside Live is now firmly established on the calendar as an excellent showcase for the farming industry, and an event which presents some of the finest aspects of rural life. Our visitor numbers continue to rise, and entries, particularly in the livestock sections, are already coming in," said Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director. "We are delighted to have the pigeons and poultry back and hosting the Young Farmers' national stock judging championships fits perfectly with our aim to involve all ages in understanding and enjoying farming and its links with the food we eat."

The 2005 event saw 8,559 visitors through the gate, more than 25 per cent increase on the previous year. Organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society are confident that the numbers will continue to grow particularly with the addition of new elements combined with proven popular features. Amongst the visitors will be Barry Gardiner, MP, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs who has accepted an invitation to attend.

The Xtreme Motorcycle Display team makes a welcome return, whilst new for 2006 is a fruit, vegetable and flower show in conjunction with Knaresborough Horticultural Society, and also a Honey Show which has classes for cakes, mead and beeswax as well as honey.

The animal classes never fail to draw the crowds and standards are again expected to be high. The Royal Smithfield Festival of Meat with classes for ribs of beef and saddle of lamb is again on the packed programme of events. The debut of the National Championships of the Young Farmers Stock Judging competitions at the event will complement the stock judging by the Yorkshire Federation members. The competitions are a valuable method of encouraging the next generation of farmers to develop their judging skills, in addition many Young Farmers will have their hands full - literally - at the Young Farmers Tug of War contest.

Peter Watkinson with the 2004 show champion, a Carlisle Old English Game Female

Yorkshire Agricultural Society members as well as children are again admitted free. Youngsters will have plenty to entertain them with the Climbing Wall and the Education Activity Zone, where the theme is "Food." Within the Zone Andrew Wood, a gold medal winning chef (Salon Culinaire de Londre) from the University of York will be making bread, Harrogate and the Ripon Bees Association will stage demonstrations, plus there will be sausage making demonstrations. In addition there will be recipes and advice on healthy eating and competitions for carved pumpkins and also a painting competition.

It will be the first time the show has a competitive section for pigeons with classes for show racers, fancy pigeons and homers. The Yorkshire Poultry Club Championship Show is staged within the event and has a wide range of classes - from bantams to large poultry, eggs and waterfowl. Entries for all the competitive classes close on 29 September.

The Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre will feature mouth watering demonstrations from leading chefs. In addition the finalists of the Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition will step into the spotlight and create the dishes which resulted in their success in the annual competition which is aimed at promoting local food and drink.

The Shows opens at 9am each day, and tickets cost:
Yorkshire Agricultural Society Members admitted free.
Adults: £8 on the gate or £6 if booked in advance
Concessions: £7 on the gate or £5 if booked in advance.
Children (5 - 18 years) are admitted free.
Parking is free and extensive.

For further information please check out the website www.countrysidelive.co.uk or call on 01423 541000.

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