A new date has been set for the major On Farm event planned by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society. Originally planned for Sunday 31st May 2020, it is now hoped this event, which is to benefit 3 charities including MDUK - will take place on Sunday 31st May 2021.
This decision is in reflection of concerns surrounding Covid-19 and yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister regarding no events with 500+ allowed in Scotland.
Children will be invited to get involved in milking time, watch ice cream and chocolate being made, enjoy sheepdog trails and have GPS and drone technology explained, among many activities planned for a major on-farm event to promote farming and the countryside.
The Royal Northern Countryside Live day out is being hosted at Westertown, Rothienorman, by dairy farmers and ice-cream manufacturers, Mackie’s of Scotland, with an open day on the Sunday for the public and school visits on the Monday organised by the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative.
MDUK Scottish Regional development manager Dean Widd said:
The Royal Northern Countryside Live event will be a fantastic day out for the family. I am delighted that MDUK has been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from this event.
"We hope to attract large numbers of the non-farming public who are really interested in how their food is produced as well as the role of farmers, foresters and land managers as custodians of the countryside" said RNAS president, Keith Walker.
He added:
Most people appreciate that food in this country is produced to the highest standards and that it is in the interests of farmers themselves to look after the countryside and take in to account the new challenges of climate change and reducing the carbon footprint.
RNAS board member, Louise Mutch, who is chair of the organising committee for the event said
Our aim is to attract families from towns throughout the North-east and further afield, as well as the city of Aberdeen and surrounding area.
Cost of entry will be £10 with children free.
Host farmers, Mackie’s, along with Lely UK (Kilmarnock Centre) and Scottish Natural Heritage, have been confirmed as main sponsors. Muscular Dystrophy UK is one of the charities to benefit from the event.
Westertown Farm, home of Mackie’s iconic ice-cream and chocolate brands, as well as a large herd of dairy cattle and extensive arable farming enterprise run by Richard Stephen on a contract farming basis, is an ideal venue for such an event and is sure to attract a large attendance of the interested public.
Calling all volunteers
In the lead up to Mackies of Scotland Family Day Out’ there will be a Royal Northern Spring Show at the Thainstone Agricultural Centre in Inverurie on Wednesday 26th February. This will provide an opportunity for those charities selected to sell raffle tickets to boost vital funds.