Around 1200 primary five children from across the Scottish Borders attended the Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS) Schools Countryside Education Day at Springwood Park.
Now in its 12th year, the annual event gives children the opportunity to learn about farming, food production and many other aspects of rural life. The theme this year was zero hunger, Gold Two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Staff and Council members including Council Leader Euan Jardine and The Convener Watson McAteer met Primary 5 children from across the region who took part in activities, ranging from auctioneering to milking and making butter, and learning about farm machinery, sheep shearing and wool spinning.
Councillor Julie Pirone, Executive Member for Education, Youth Development and Lifelong Learning
“This is a fabulous event which is now a real key date in the school calendar. All primary five children from across our schools are given the opportunity to have real hands-on experience of a variety of rural activities.
“Every year there is a huge range of activities and demonstrations which the children can explore and perhaps think about as a future career. We are very grateful to Border Union Agricultural Society for organising this event."
Dan Withall, Executive Director Border Union Agricultural Society
“We are delighted to welcome another 1200 primary five children to Springwood Park, to experience the width and breadth of farming. We want this event to inspire young people, and to show them a variety of rural skills, from the past, present, and future, through the many demonstrations here today.
“By experiencing the different areas of the countryside, we hope they will see there are lots of career opportunities. We want this day to be a single point of inspiration, to show children what happens in farming and how that feeds into the economy in the Border region and beyond.
“We very much appreciate the ongoing partnership with SBC - helping with the sustainability of the event and collaboration with stakeholders. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support from the Fallago Environment Fund who part fund the project and our many other partners.
“Many thanks must also go to all the Activity Providers, some who have been with us from the start, and the many Volunteers who assist us with the delivery of this event; without them we quite simply could not run the day."
Schools Countryside Day is respected as a significant regional example of best practise, made possible by the remarkable culmination of support from 300 volunteers and over 50 exhibitors who all give so much to make it work.