RIPE apples, red plums and broad beans were cause for much excitement as more than 250 school children spent the day celebrating the harvest at Sandy Balls Leisure Centre in Fordingbridge.

Youngsters from Downton Primary, Coombe Bisset, Hyde Primary School Hyde Primary School, The New Forest School, Mansell Park Primary School, Breamore Primary School and Western Downland Primary School, were given a firsthand insight into the traditional rural of the New Forest. Guests including commoners with their animals in tow, coppicers and beekeepers came to demonstrate the time-honoured methods of their professions. Tim Howell, Sandy Balls managing director said “It’s been a really terrific day. In today’s world we don’t make enough time to stop and reflect on just what a fantastic place this is to live, work and visit.”

The children brought along tins of food to be donated to The Trussell Trust in Salisbury and the Poitiers Project in Fordingbridge.