A live link up into farms in Wales and the Cotswolds will be just one of the new features of this year’s Springtime Live which celebrates farming, food and the countryside.

From mini tractor rides to live entertainment, all activities and workshops are FREE once inside the event at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Saturday April 13.

Not only will there be plenty of farm animals for children to meet in the Animal Barn in Hall 2, there will also be the chance to see lambing live on a big screen.

For the first time, farmer Tom Martin will take to the Main Stage to go live via video link into a dairy farm in Wales and a farm in the Cotswolds to see live lambing.

Tom is the founder of FaceTime a Farmer which has seen 5,500 school children regularly link to farms across the UK from their classrooms via Skype or FaceTime. Nearly 150 schools across the

UK already subscribe to FaceTime a Farmer to help improve the understanding of links between food and farming.

Farmer Tom said: “This will be my first time at Springtime Live and it will be terrific to take the youngsters live into two farms where they can see lambs being born and cows being milked on the big screen. Any schools can sign up to be part of the Facetime a Farmer project and this will be a taste of what we offer – live on the Main Stage at Springtime Live!”

Tom will be on the Main Stage in Hall 1 at 10:30am and 1:30pm when he will link up with dairy farmer Abi Reader in Wales and Jake Freestone in the Cotswolds.

There will also be ride on tractors thanks to Ripon Farm Services and live music from Mr Bloom from CBeebies and his band.

The Easter Bunny will also be visiting Springtime Live and will be on Briggate in Leeds this Saturday from 11am to 2pm. The public are encouraged to take a selfie with the bunny and tag in Springtime Live to be in with a chance of winning a family ticket.

Due to the popularity of Springtime Live, entry is by advance ticket only and can be purchased either online or in Fodder, the Showground’s farm shop café.
Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “This is a lovely family event to promote farming, food and the countryside. Make sure you book your tickets now to ensure entry and once inside, everything is free! We look forward to seeing you!”

There will be an outdoor bike track, climbing wall, Tractor Ted Bouncy Castle and Digger Den. Youngsters can also hold and learn about chicks thanks to Eggucation, there will be reptiles and bug encounters, forest crafts and a Poppets Theatre Workshop with PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy).
Springtime Live will be at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, on Saturday April 13, from 9am to 4:30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children or a family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) for £27.

These are on sale at www.springtimelive.co.uk or in Fodder and next door in the Showground’s offices at the Regional Agricultural Centre on Railway Road, Harrogate.
For more information about FaceTime a Farmer go to www.facetimeafarmer.com

EDITOR’S NOTES

• Springtime Live is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society which also organises the Great Yorkshire Show and Countryside Live.
• YAS supports and promotes the farming industry through health care, business, education and funding scientific research into rural affairs.
• YAS runs a family of businesses including Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park as well as events Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live and Springtime Live.
• Events at the Great Yorkshire Showground contribute £47 million a year to the local economy.