Peterborough children are Top of the Crops as they join pop star turned farmer for activity day

Peterborough children were Top of the Crops when they were joined by a pop star turned farmer for some agricultural activities.
Schools Farming event at the East of England Arena.  J B Gill touring the  show with pupils from Cavalary School. EMN-190107-144344009Schools Farming event at the East of England Arena.  J B Gill touring the  show with pupils from Cavalary School. EMN-190107-144344009
Schools Farming event at the East of England Arena. J B Gill touring the show with pupils from Cavalary School. EMN-190107-144344009

Former JLS singer JB Gill joined more than 3,500 youngsters at the East of England Arena for the annual Kids Country Food and

Farming Day. JB, who also presents CBeebies’ farming show, Down on the Farm and Channel 5’s hit Springtime On The Farm, talked to the primary school children about life as a farmer. The children were able to learn about how food from farms ends up on their dinner plates, as well as what life was like as a farmer during the Second World War. JB also had the important task of judging the highly contested ‘Design A Farm’ competition, with Lottie from Barnack CE Primary School, near Stamford, winning first place in the Key Stage 1 entries, and Eros from Rushmoor School, Bedford, scooping first prize for Key Stage 2. He said: “I am really passionate about not only connecting children with food, farming and the environment, but also in helping these children see the future careers they can find in farming. “This is my first time at the Food and Farming Day, but I have already seen how vital and unique it is in communicating with the next generation, not only to have more care and understanding for where their food comes from as consumers, but also to really consider the agricultural industry as a potential future employer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Farming isn’t just about driving the tractors and moving sheep: it’s the technology and engineering that design new combine harvesters, the scientists creating new veterinary medications, and the chefs that know the value of seasonal produce. Showing children these future options is equally as important as making sure that they have an understanding of how their food is produced.” Praising the entrants of the competition, he added: “This was a really hard competition to judge, there was so much attention to detail on all the entries, and a few ideas I might pinch to take home! In the end, it really came down to Lottie and Eros’ entries, which stood out for the effort they had put into creating the design, as well as the innovative and environmentally friendly designs they had planned. A huge well done to everyone that took part!”