COUNTRYTASTIC returns to the Three Counties Showground this Easter with another great value, fun-filled countryside day out.

The event on Thursday , April 17, offers a huge range of both indoor and outdoor activities, whatever the weather and there will be plenty to keep the children entertained.

Food takes centre stage this year and children will have the opportunity to learn to cook with the Easy Peasy Cookery School, bake with the baker, Mike Wallace and discover where their food comes from.

They will also have the opportunity to meet many of their favourite farmyard animals including two traditional Hereford calves. Additionally Junk Fish will be offering a range of free children’s activities including make-and-take crafts and Whalley Pig (a 30 foot long sleeping sow) will give children the opportunity to peek at a short show which takes place in her belly!

Fownhope-based Bugs and Beasties will be giving children the opportunity to create their own willow circle and entwine it with feathers, hay, horse hair and sheep wool so birds can pluck the goodies out and make their nest with them.

Popular rural TV presenter and show regular Adam Henson will be on hand to share his knowledge and top tips as a commentator for the Animal Parades throughout the day.

Show organiser, the Three Counties Agricultural Society, is proud of the success of CountryTastic over the years and would like to thank this year’s sponsor, Dean Close Preparatory, for its support. Stephanie Belcher, Communications Officer at the Three Counties Showground said: “CountryTastic is a fun filled day out for all the family, with educational activities to keep children entertained. The Show encourages children to be hands-on and participate in activities rather than watch from the side lines. The showground is a fantastic location too with plenty of space for children to enjoy themselves. Set at the foot of the Malvern Hills it’s a great location to enjoy a picnic at lunchtime too!”

Dean Close School, sponsor of CountryTastic said: “Dean Close School in Cheltenham is proud to be the first school to sponsor CountryTastic.

Several of our Dean Close families live in the Malvern area and are keen custodians of the country way of life. At Dean Close, the youngest children enjoy visiting the magical Forest School, and meeting the regular animal visitors, from Golden Eagles to new born lambs. As children get older they are free to play and discover the wonderful natural wildlife that can be found in our woods and in the brook, which runs through the extensive grounds.

As pupils get older they can join the ‘zoo club’, looking after the menagerie of animals including pythons, bearded dragons, dagus, terrapins; or they can learn to rear baby chicks from their eggs.

Everyone is welcome to come and visit some of the animals, and us, on our Dean Close stand and to enter our competition to win some exciting prizes.”

CountryTastic takes place on Thursday, April 17 from 10am to 5pm at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. Tickets, £6, under-threes are free. There’s ample free parking and undercover activities. For further information visit CountryTastic.co.uk or call 01684 584924.