The Countryside Foundation for Education, in partnership with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority , ran their 6th very successful Countryside Live event at Lee Valley Park on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th September. Over 3,000 children, their teachers and helpers from 42 schools from several London Boroughs, attended over the two days.

"All very good, very easy and well organised trip. Thanks."

Essex Wildlife Trust

British Association of Shooting and Conservation

British Horse Racing Education and Standards Trust

Rye Meads Bird Ringing Group

Meet the beagles

Almost 40 organisations exhibited at the Lee Valley Regional Park event and many of them commented on the enthusiastic, well behaved children. The children met a variety of animals, watched (and took part in) a full and varied arena programme and highly entertaining Sheep Show, had a ride on the Fuller's Dray, in the British Waterways boat and the Drapers' Company Shallop. They were also able to have a go at lots of hands-on activities which helped give them a taste of rural life and healthy eating. Guided nature trails were also available with the Lee Valley Park Youth and Schools staff and also guided tours of the Lee Valley Riding Centre.

Drapers' Company Shallop

"It was a great day. Thanks. Hope
to join in again next year."

Meet the ponies

"The staff were all very helpful."

Falconry

The Countryside Foundation for Education would like to thank the following for their support:

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Enfield Education Business Partnership
Inspire – The New Hackney Education Business Partnership
The Fred & Marjorie Sainsbury Charitable Trust
CHK Charities
The Band Trust
The Coutts Charitable Trust
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Charitable Trust
The Worshipful Company of Butchers
The Dyers’ Company Charitable Trust
The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust
The Trusthouse Charitable Trust
The Ian Askew Charitable Trust
The Aylesford Family Charitable Trust
The Gosling Foundation
R & C H Charitable Trust
The Townsend Family Charitable Trust

and to all the organisations and schools who took part in the event.

Completed willow wreaths

"Our objectives for the trip were met completely,
in fact this year exceeded expectations."

British Waterways boat

Wood turning

MeetSnip and Clip and learn about gardening

Grooming the ponies

"We really enjoyed the event and more importantly,
it seemed a fun educational experience for the children."

Meet the ducks

Helping out with the Gundog Display

5 a day fun

"Extremely well organised. A great way to
introduce city children to all aspects
of the countryside."

Angling

Learning about bats

Making corndollies

Ferret racing ....

Fuller's Shire Horses

No sheep or pigs allowed this year, so Lee Valley Park Farm
brought some smaller animals for the children to see

Children set off on a Nature Trail run by
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Youth and Schools team

happy children...

and happy teachers...

and happy exhibitors...

Foot and mouth didn't affect the NFU cow
who came along with the NFU Roadshow

Learning about plants with the Royal Horticultural Society

Learning about pigeons with the Royal Pigeon Racing Association

The willow dome

We look forward to seeing you again in 2009.
Images by LVRPA

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For free downloadable online resources please
refer to the Countryside Foundation for Education website
and also the Teaching Trees website

For farms to visit go to the Farms for Schools website