BUNDLES OF FUN

There’s so much for children of all ages to get up to at the show - we kid you not. From fairground rides, to football fever and shows with some punch, pack up the family and head out for a day of fun and farming frolics

Thousands of children have got to grips with all things feathered, hoofed and shorn each year at a mini show day for younger visitors. The Living Land event was set up by the Kent County Agricultural Society back in 2004 and each year invites children from Years 3 and 4 at schools across the county to learn about farming and where food comes from. It’s held every May.

This year 2,824 children from 48 schools learnt about local produce by making their own apple juice and butter as well as having a go at milking a cow. There was a live birds of prey demonstration to show how they are an eco-friendly pest deterrent for farmers, and the children met lambs, goats and cows. On show was also the story of how a sheep’s fleece becomes a woolly jumper and incubators holding eggs with hatching chicks. Displays of vintage and modern tractors showed just how much farming has changed over the years.

Hannah Stimpson, who organises the event, said: “It was amazing to see the children interacting with the animals and displays and learning about where their food comes from. The society aims to promote education in farming and related industries so it’s great to see that objective come alive.” Children started the day by visiting the Touch & Taste Area, to try some food and produce and then headed to the animal area to meet the livestock and learn about the roles they play in farming.

They then watched the live Sheep Show and saw farming machinery, before meeting members of the Kent Bat Group, Kent Poultry Club and others.

Have your ki ds got the Worl d Cup fever? If so they can l et off some steam at the KM stand at thi s year’ s show.

The KM Medi a Group has teamed up wi th

Gilli ngham Football Cl ub to offer a Ki ck Up

Chall enge - youngsters can ki ck the ball i nto the goal and see i f they can beat the fastest score of the day. Or wi th the Target

Chall enge, i mprove thei r goal scoring skill s wi th a game testi ng ai m and accuracy.

To get to pl ay the games, j ust take al ong the voucher pri nted i n your What’ s On i nsi de your KM paper next week, or pi ck up a paper at the show, at Stand 303 next to the Al an Day buil di ng i n the centre of the showground.

Young vi si tors can al so pi ck up a free goody bag wi th thei r KM paper, whi ch i s packed wi th treats i ncl udi ng a handy bottl e of water, a speci al ani mal mask and a bookmark or bug, or a Pani ni worl d cup sti cker book or a LOL sti cker book.

You’ll al so be abl e to meet the kmfm Street Team and have a go at maki ng a paper fortune tell er. kmfm will al so be broadcasti ng from the show, wi th Rob Will s on si te wi th hi s Dri veti me show on the Fri day. And l ook out for KMTV who will be out and about at the show.