It was a sunny, crisp day at the Methven Racecourse as farmers got off the farm for a family day out.

The Family Farming Charitable Trust hosted a Family Farming Day at the Races, the first time the event has been held in Methven.
The event, held on Sunday in conjunction with the Methven Trotting Club, saw farmers and their families enjoy a day off the farm. A free barbecue, bouncy castles, fire trucks, and races throughout the day provided entertainment for all ages.
Farming Family Charitable Trust co-founder Craig Wiggins said the trotting club and trust sponsors had been accommodating in making the day happen.
"We've been well sponsored.
"Goodness knows how many sausages we've cooked up so far, and the racecourse has been great, giving us the Goodwin Lounge to use."
The Methven Volunteer Fire Brigade brought a fire truck for children to explore, and the Lauriston Volunteer Fire Brigade had a model fire truck children could move with pressurised water from their fire hose.
A Fashion in the Field competition event took place in the Goodwin Lounge, and a lolly scramble outside was a favourite with children while families picnicked in the sun.
The trust has held two previous race days in Ashburton, but Sunday's event was the first to be held in Methven.
"Unfortunately, the room at the Ashburton track wasn't available for us to use this year, so we thought, why not come to Methven?" Wiggins said.
The Trust was initially set up during the Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak to provide much-needed respite for farmers, hosting events such as quiz nights and balls to get farmers off-farm and connecting with their communities.
"We knew farmers needed to get off the farm and come to town, so we started the trust to support them through tough times in our area.
"We also supply meals to people who might be having a rough time, whether they are ill, have experienced a bereavement, or just need a bit of care.”
The Family Farming Charitable Trust, which often joins forces with the Rural Support Trust, visit schools, providing support for pet shows and bringing the barbecue to local events with meat supplied by companies like Anzco.
"It's now just a group of half a dozen of us, and if there is something we can do to support rural people in Mid Canterbury, we do.
"We've helped people who have had big fires on their farms, kids who needed sponsorship, and kids who needed to go to Starship Hospital."
Wiggins said the family race day was a success, and they hoped to hold more in the future.

By Claire Inkson