MATT BAKER
Fun times on the farm as filming starts on a new series starring the Baker family.
MY NEW TV SERIES IS A FAMILY AFFAIR
Recently I announced that I’ve been filming a brand new television series that is based entirely on our farm in the Durham hills – and it’s not just going to feature me this time but my family, too.
The series –called Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales – came about in a very unexpected way. Earlier in the year, my Mum had a nasty accident in the sheep pens. She was knocked over by a ewe and broke her leg, resulting in her having to have a total knee replacement. As soon as we got the call about her accident, we rushed to the farm to take over the daily duties. During that time, I was holding meetings with television executives about making shows with my new production company and during a Zoom call in the old barn with the channel More4, I mentioned what had happened. The rest, as they say, is history.
My kids enjoyed their first appearance on Countryfile when we built our pond during the first lockdown and so were very excited about this programme. Mum and Dad had also enjoyed their previous TV appearances, so we decided as a family that we’d give it a go. I would produce and direct it, using a cameraman friend and a sound man I’d known since I was 20. My parents knew him, too, as he’d filmed on our farm for Blue Peter. In a nutshell, the series follows the big decisions we had to make about the future of the farm, as Mum was determined that she didn’t want to stop farming. She has passionately bred Hampshire Down sheep for many years and those of you who know sheep will know they are some of the biggest sheep you can get. So, I was keen to get her more suitable sheep breeds that would be easier to manage, which you’ll see on the programme as we travel the UK in search of the best breeds for our hill farm.
The farming infrastructure also has a makeover, as well as a few little extra jobs. Viewers get to meet our other animals, including the miniature donkeys, chickens, goats and dogs.
“The series follows the big decisions we had to make about the future of the farm”
A VERY PERSONAL PROJECT
After leaving The One Show, my aim was to spend more time with my family and produce and direct more television so it’s been a dream come true to make this. I’m proud to say that I’m upstaged brilliantly by my wife, children and parents as well as all the animals.
Ultimately, I hope our show resonates with families who are doing what they can to help each other keep the lifestyle they love. Irrespective of whether you live on a farm or not, it’s something that comes to us all, as the tables turn and we start to look out for our parents.