Down on the farm with Jeremy

It’s amazing how many people there are in public life – and maybe everywhere else as well – that divide our opinion, whom we either love or hate, with no in between.

Piers Morgan, Chris Eubank Senior, Conor McGregor and Anne Robinson immediately spring to my mind, and also high upon my list is TV host and presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Now I know Clarkson’s recent uncouth and silly remarks about Meghan Markle have caused a lot of outrage over in England, and in other places as well, but they have done nothing to affect my opinion.

Long before this particular celebrity made those remarks that have cost him an awful lot in terms of money and popular- ity, I regarded Clarkson as an arrogant, pompous and selfopinionated person!

For years I studiously avoided watching either ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ or ‘Top Gear’. And so I have to admit that I was highly sceptical when a friend recently told me that a TV series about Clarkson’s new farming enterprise was a mustwatch.

However, the same person had previously advised me about ‘Heartland’, a series that turned out to be my absolute favourite of all time – and so I tuned into Clarkson’s Farm. I can honestly tell you that I have not enjoyed anything as much for a long time.

Pre-Covid, Clarkson bought a 1,000-acre farm in the ing. If we are any way ‘off’ they could do what we did to Ballina all those years ago. Before I leave Sunday’s game, I can honestly say I have never seen such unbridled joy as I did in Creggs on Sunday night. As we are waiting thirty years for the Junior Cup to come back, I can only imagine what it will be like when – not if – (I am confident now) we bring it home in a month or so! I can’t wait.

Cotswolds in England, without any farming experience and with very little knowledge of the business. This documentary series follows him as he comes to terms with all that’s involved in farming such a huge acreage. It’s as good a fly on the wall documentary as I have ever seen, and everything, good or bad, that happens is shown! I won’t spoil it on you by telling you what’s in store, but it really is an enthralling and highly entertaining series. All I can say is watch it (if you have something called Amazon Prime).

Funny enough, Clarkson the farmer is quite a pleasant fellow, and whatever else he is, he’s not afraid of long hours or hard work. Look it up if you can. I think you will really enjoy it.

And finally…

Maria Fitzmaurice asks me to tell you about ‘Home Baking by the Fireside’, which is completely free and starts in Dowd’s, Glinsk on Friday, 3rd of March at 7.30 pm. It will last for one hour, and the classes will run for the month of March. At the event you will get a complimentary cuppa and some nice treats. Each week there will be a raffle where you can win the Baker’s Basket – sounds as if it would be nice to win it.

You can contact Maria at 086 3035766 and she will fill you in with all you need to know. So it’s ‘Baking by the Fireside’ and it’s on in Dowd’s, starting this Friday, 3rd of March at 7.30 pm. All are welcome to attend.