Fans of Jeremy Clarkson gathered in their numbers, some waiting over an hour, to visit his Diddly Squat Farm Shop as it reopened after a two-month closure. Located in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, the shop boasts a selection of produce featured in Clarkson’s popular Amazon Prime series, “Clarkson’s Farm.” The reopening was announced on Instagram, igniting excitement among followers from far-off regions, including Spain and India.

Despite the lengthy queues, with some customers reporting waits of up to ninety minutes, visitors were eager to experience the country store. Key products were available, although the infamous £200 pies were conspicuously absent this year, replaced by more affordable pork pies priced at £7.20. Shoppers could find various items on the shelves, including “Jeremy’s” sausages, “Diddly” eggs for £4.20, and other goodies like freshly-made pesto, pâtés, milkshakes, and apple juice sourced from Clarkson’s orchard. Additionally, quirky merchandise such as candles humorously labelled “This smells of my bollocks” and “drive perfume,” priced at £22 and £38 respectively, added to the shop’s unique appeal.

Visitors enjoyed the lively atmosphere outdoors, where a “cow juice” milk dispenser served fresh milk. Nearby, a bar offering refreshments complemented a variety of stalls featuring local artisan products, including dog treats. Many fans relished the pastoral scenery, taking time to sit on benches and soak in the sun while watching sheep meandering across the fields.

Anouska Goulding, a 25-year-old lash technician from Hertfordshire, shared her experience during her first visit: “We watch the show… I think it will be nice and fun, the weather is lovely too.” Her friend, Emily Roberts, remarked on the charm of the farm’s background and the pleasant surprise of being able to witness the rural experience firsthand.

Sarah Drayton and Michael Tustin, who travelled from Worcestershire, expressed their enthusiasm for the show and the friendly nature of the characters, particularly farmer Kaleb Cooper. Drayton stated, “It’s really hard to pick a favourite on the show but probably Kaleb… The countryside is lovely.” Similarly, Angharad Thomas and her husband Eurig, from West Wales, remarked on their enjoyment of the programme, citing its representation of the farming community and the pressures farmers face.

Another vendor at the farm shop, Liyzie Wood from Little Rissington, discussed her dog treat business and the challenges posed by the shop’s two-month closure, noting how critical the location is for her sales. She reflected on the increased activity during this reopening, suggesting that the farm shop’s advertisement may have improved, contributing to the bustling atmosphere.

In a different context, Clarkson recently shared his vision for innovative, environmentally-friendly farming solutions during his weekly newspaper column. Drawing inspiration from a visit to a floating farm in Rotterdam, which houses dairy cows on a £3 million concrete barge, he advocated for similar ventures to be developed in British cities, including London and Liverpool. The floating farm employs automated systems for milking and waste management while also innovatively using grass clippings from a local football club to feed the cows.

With the ongoing challenges faced by farmers and discussions around reforms in agricultural inheritance tax in the UK, Clarkson’s proposals align with his continuous advocacy for improved support for the farming community.

Source: Noah Wire Services