Having a baa-last! Duke of Roxburghe joins children at Schools Countryside Day in Kelso
Last updated 21st May 2025
It’s hoped giving local school children a taste of country life will encourage more of them to consider a career in farming.
Tommy Clark is chairman of the Border Union Agricultural Society and says attracting more young people is vital for the future of the industry.
"It's always changing, it's a dynamic industry," he said. "But probably mostly in the machinery - the kit we've got now, and the kit we've got here, it's phenomenal.
"There's probably about a million pounds of kit sitting over there, all GPS controlled and touch screens; and that really interests kids nowadays."
Around 1,200 pupils from across our region attended Tuesday's event at the Border Union showground in Kelso.
As well as getting to meet a variety of farm animals, children also got a chance to learn more about rural life and where their food comes from.
They were able to take part in a number of activities including practicing milking a cow, playing the role of an auctioneer, and watching a sheep-shearing demonstration.
One of the event’s major funders is the Fallago Environment Fund, which has supported the initiative since 2016 through a series of grants totalling more than £100,000.
The Fund shares the benefits of the Fallago Wind Farm in the Lammermuir Hills with projects across the Scottish Borders and is financed by Roxburghe Estates, Federated Hermes and EDF Renewables.
Speaking on behalf of the Fund, His Grace, The Duke of Roxburghe said: “The Border Union Schools Countryside Day is an outstanding event that plays a vital role in helping children connect with the countryside around them. It’s also an important way to highlight the diverse and rewarding careers available in our rural communities.
"We’re proud that the Fallago Environment Fund has over many years provided key financial support for this exceptional initiative.”
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