MATT BAKER
THE COUNTRYFILE PRESENTER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES ON HIS SHOWS AND FAMILY FARM
Why I love BBC Countryfile Live.
“Countryfile Live gives me the chance to talk about our family farm and animals we have”
I love this time of year… when fêtes and fairs are in full swing. Having just been to our own village fête – where I tried my hand at Splat the Rat and triumphed at the Bottle Tombola – I couldn’t help but look forward to BBC Countryfile Live, which is just around the corner (August 2-5).
I am genuinely surprised by the number of people I talk to, right across the UK, who make the trip to Blenheim Palace for Countryfile Live. Each year the show just seems to get bigger and better, and it’s something that I know my family very much look forward to.
PACKED FESTIVAL
Countryfile Live has something for everyone, whether you want to check out the latest farm machinery or a new offering from an artisan gin producer. There are plenty of places to eat and try fresh ingredients and flavours, and a whole schedule of shows and demonstrations to catch.
A highlight for my kids over the past few years has been the chance to have a go at different activities, whether it’s tree climbing, fishing, the zip wire, canoeing or science experiments. Every time my family makes the trip to Countryfile Live, there is always something they haven’t managed to get round to by the time they leave, so it becomes
top of the list for next year.
WHIZZING ABOUT
The Countryfile team often have to use golf buggies to get around, as without them it takes so long to get from A to B. Not just because of the size of the site, but because everyone wants to say hello and tell us why we should visit their neck of the woods! It’s great to hear what people think about Countryfile, and the live event gives us the opportunity to meet a lot of viewers. It’s a chance for fans to find out more about all of us on the show, whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes. Although most viewers know my farming background, Countryfile is about the people we meet, and not about me and my life. The live show gives me the chance to talk about our family farm and the animals and wildlife we have there. All the Countryfile team give talks and answer questions on one of the outdoor stages dotted around the site and it’s wonderful to see so many people crammed in to hear what we have to say.
We’re now going into our third year and the show has evolved to become everything that our viewers love. We’ve listened to what worked and continued with that and we’re constantly bringing in new ideas. Who knows, in a few years’ time, Countryfile Live could well be as much a part of our British summer as Countryfile is part of our Sunday nights.