PREPARATIONS are being finalised for one of the biggest days in the local rural calendar - Schools Countryside Day.

Representing sponsors, the Fallago Environment Fund, the Duke of Roxburghe visited the Border Union Showground on Tuesday to hear about preparations for the Border Union Agricultural Society event.

The Fallago Environment Fund is the main sponsor of the event, which will see around 1,300 primary five children (aged 10) from over 60 schools across the Scottish Borders gather at Springwood Park on Tuesday, May 22 to learn about rural life, food production and the environment.

His Grace, The Duke of Roxburghe, said: “The Border Union’s Schools Countryside Day is an exceptional event that’s filled with exciting activities and demonstrations that teach children about important rural issues in an engaging way.

"It is extremely worthwhile, and we know that it is always hugely popular so we’re delighted to be able to provide the organisers with financial support again this year.”

This is the third year that the Fund has sponsored the event, which is also supported by Scottish Borders Council, Ford & Etal Estate, Greenvale AP, Tesco, Agrii, Kelso Farmers Market, Bayer, Case Agriculture, BSW Timber Group and Charity Begins at Home.

Neil Thomson, Chairman, Border Union Agricultural Society, told us “We’re tremendously proud of this event, which is one of the highlights of our calendar and which represents our commitment to raising awareness of farming, food and the environment with the region’s young people.

"Putting this event on is a huge collaborative effort and we’d like to thank the Fallago Environment Fund and all of our other sponsors and supporters for all their efforts.”