Kent’s Largest Outdoor Classroom Comes to the Kent Showground
May 2014
The Kent County Agricultural Society hosted its annual Living Land event on Wednesday 7th
May 2014. The event held at the Kent Showground forms part of the Society’s charitable
objectives to educate the public about farming, food and the countryside.
The Living Land event began in 2003 as a ‘schools only’ day to educate children aged 7 to 9
about where their food comes from. Over the past eleven years the event has expanded to
include displays about the environment, countryside and aspects of conservation.
2,800 children with teachers and support staff from 48 Primary Schools attended the event.
The day has been designed to showcase important aspects of food production and the
environment and now creates Kent’s largest outdoor classroom.
Hannah Stimpson, Kent County Agricultural Society, organiser of the event said, “This is a very
rewarding day for everyone involved and the children really enjoy their time with us. It
would not be possible to put on a Show of this size without the help of the fifty organisations
who put on the interactive displays and the invaluable assistance of 70 stewards to help guide
the schools around the showground”.
The schools are sent an itinerary ahead of the event to ensure that all children get a chance to
spend time at the exhibits. The day is split in to zones, Woodland, Interactive and Livestock,
in addition to these areas children are treated to a ‘Birds of Prey’ display and also watching
the very amusing ‘Sheep Show’.
Lucy Hegarty, Kent County Show Manager said, “Every activity is very well thought out to
ensure the children gain information in a fun and imaginative way”.
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Children from Madginford Park Junior School, Maidstone were invited by Leigh Holmes,
commentator and owner of the Hawking Centre, Doddington to take part in the 30 minute
display. The children were asked to sit in a straight line and were treated to an up-close
experience with one of his large owls that flew directly over their heads. Helen Ralph, year 3
teacher from the school said, “This event is great for the children, they remember the trip for
the rest of their time at the school. In particular they enjoy the animals and in past years the
‘Sheep Show’ has been the topic of conversation on the coach home”.
Pupils from Roseacre School in Bearsted were amongst the visitors who were able to see both
large and small animals in the Livestock Zone. Organised by Kent Young Farmers, the zone
allowed children to touch, lambs, sheep, horses, cattle, goats, chickens and rabbits. Living
Eggs based in Wateringbury brought young chicks for the pupils to hold.
The Interactive Zone included; apple juice tasting, bread making, tasting and learning about
fruit and vegetables, sausage making, beekeeping & honey, crops, cereals & potatoes,
smoothie making, ‘where my food comes from’ game and the Woodland Farm Trust had two
wooden cows which children were invited to milk.
This area also included a number of countryside stands highlighting bats, reptiles, creepy
crawlies and mini beasts. Children could also see mayfly hatching and learn about British
insects.
Miss Hartley from Holy Family Catholic School, said “The children love this event, the
information they gain will be wonderful to take back to school for their food and farming
project.”
The Living Land is a free event for schools and helps to start conversation back in the
classroom about where food comes from.
Kevin Attwood, Kent County Agricultural Society Chairman, “This event is one of the
highlights in the Society calendar. Everyone involved enjoys seeing young people learn about
our countryside, the farmers who farm it and the wonderful produce and crops grown. The
inspiration for this event is the main Kent County Show. Many secondary schools are able to
attend the Show, but due to constraints and health and safety it is more difficult for schools to
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bring younger children. The Living Land is a great way for younger pupils to experience a
mini Kent County Show, although we hope they will return in July with their families”.
Images of the event and schools mentioned are available from Gill Collins,
gill@ethercreative.co.uk or Lucy Hegarty, lucy.hegarty@kentshowground.co.uk.
Kent County Show – 11, 12, 13 July 2014
Car parking is free, under 5’s are free and dogs on a lead are welcome.*
Ticket booking line now open. 01622 633060
Family tickets are £37 pre-paid (2 x adult & 2 x child) £45 on the gate. Adult tickets are priced
at £20 on the gate, £18 in advance, a child ticket is £6 on the gate and £5 pre-paid (child ticket
is 5 – 15 years). A senior ticket is £13 on the gate and £11.50 in advance. The Kent County
Agricultural Society will be offering student tickets again this year priced at £13 on the gate
and £11 in advance.
*Dogs are not permitted in the Food Tent or Livestock Areas.
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