Victorian Farm ......enfin, nous avons rencontré Pierre l'amant de porcs

In March 2009 Alex Langlands, co-presenter of BBC2’s hugely successful Victorian Farm, captivated an audience of over 100 people with tales of filming the series. Sadly we had to disappoint almost 150 other people who were unable to get tickets, so great was the demand. Needless to say, we were thrilled when Alex agreed to return and give another two talks, this time accompanied by fellow presenter Peter Ginn.

The Methodist Church in Church Stretton was once again the venue for the talks and around 200 people snapped up tickets for the mid-summer day events. Dressed in their Victorian Farm costumes, including the iconic green coat and black bowler hat, Alex and Peter showed slides and talked for well over an hour, regaling us with tales of the filming and their many experiences running a Victorian farm for 12 months. Completely at ease with the audience, their rapport and humour shone through, along with their genuine love of the animals and enthusiasm for the old farming methods. Peter and Alex go well beyond being just “presenters”: both have excellent historian’s and archaeologist’s knowledge of the period and loved the whole experience of being able to live it and film it.

Alex told of the impact the series had had on the nearby Acton Scott Working Farm Museum, with business up almost seven-fold on 2008. The local economy is also benefiting from the increased number of visitors to the area, particularly B&Bs and guest houses.

Following each talk the audience had the chance to ask questions before retiring to the hall next door for tea, biscuits and the opportunity to meet Alex and Peter and have their books signed.

For those who don’t already know, Lion TV are currently back at Acton Scott filming three one-hour Christmas specials. We can’t wait to see them …… and, who knows, perhaps we can persuade Alex and Peter – and Ruth as well - to come back and see us again ….?