FUNDS raised at last year’s Ryedale Show have paid the transport costs for Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Sinnington pupils to enjoy a day-out.

Key Stage two children enjoyed a trip to the recent Countryside Days at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and were given the opportunity to experience all aspects of food, farming, the countryside and healthy living.

It included a variety of workshops and arena displays, such as rural crafts, birds of prey, farm animals, the legendary Sheep Show, pond dipping and much more.

It was the first year that Sinnington Primary School had attended the Countryside Day and all the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Teacher Helen Thompson said: “The organisation was fantastic as was the variety of workshops. We needed to use the disabled toilets and access which was all very easy for us. The highlight of the day for everyone was definitely the dancing sheep at the Sheep Show.”

Nicola Dunn, from Helmsley Primary School, said: “We had a wonderful time at the show. The highlights were the Sheep Show and the Farm Animal Arena where we got to meet a wide range of creatures.”

This year’s Ryedale Show is being held on Tuesday, July 31 at Welburn Park, Kirkbymoorside, sponsored by Ryedale Auctioneers.

Children’s secretary Janice Wilson has been working with schools from within the show area to create a new Schools Class for “Meal In A Wheelbarrow”.

This involves each school planting the ingredients for a recipe of their choice. The wheelbarrows have been donated by local agricultural business, BATA of Amotherby with compost and seeds again donated by Daisy’s Garden Centre of Kirkbymoorside.

“We have a total of nine entries and are sure that this competition will make a wonderful new display within the children’s section for this year’s show,” said Janice.