Our Yorkshire Farm

[sniffingthewax]

Have watched this family for years and read her books. Age is really catching up on Clive, he can hardly bend over now, it is very apparent in this new series. I don't like how the programme is becoming more contrived, it's obvious a lot of it is staged for the camera.

[Adollop]

I've just started watching it for the first time and really enjoyed it. I'll have to see if the older ones are on catch up - how many have I missed?

[sniffingthewax]

The last series is all on catch up, there are four programmes I think. So pleased Raven got to uni, I was worried she would just stay looking after the little ones her whole life!

[Adollop]

Thanks, that'll keep me busy tonight

[Moominfan]

What channel or catch up service is this on?

[BlessedBeTheFruitCake]

The little ones are so good, really sweet when they went out for a picnic and were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up 😊

[sniffingthewax]

Channel 5.

[purpleme12]

Ah I didn't know this was on! I would have watched it!

[purpleme12]

Oh has it just started this week? I can catch up on it then

[Greenteandchives]

I am full of admiration for this lovely family. What beautiful children. Self assured and confident. Allowed to take risks and make decisions that would be difficult for most adults.

[GetOffYourHighHorse]

The mother was on the panel on Jeremy Vine last week and also on The One Show, for a family apparently keen for a basic life they seem to want to always be on the telly.

I agree with you op, it has now become very contrived.

[sniffingthewax]

The children appear to have a lovely life in the outdoors, but I do feel sort of sad for them that they have no opportunity to do anything other than the farm. Amanda in particular seems to be following her dream and expects the children to fulfill this dream by helping.
I;m so relieved that Raven got off to university, throughout the books her role was solely to look after the younger children so they didn't have to go out with Amanda and Clive. Amanda said that another baby is not out of the question, at 45 and 75? I think they should take stock of what they have. She seems quite detached from the children at times, I remember reading that one of them was premature and had to stay in intensive care after birth, but Amanda wanted to go back to the farm so she visited once or twice a week.
I saw the agricultural HSE made a comment that they were concerned about the health and safety breaches shown on the program, but judging by the new series they didn't take them on board.

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

I think they are a lovely family - twice on tv to promote their new series, hardly contrived.

[Looobyloo]

I love this programme and I.live the fact they're not obsessed with elf and safety. They've managed to raise and keep 9 children safe so they must be doing something right.
The children all seem very happy, confident and well adjusted with many skills and a no nonsense approach to life, how refreshing!

[maxbabi]

Completely agree looby

[GetOffYourHighHorse]

'twice on tv to promote their new series, hardly contrived.'

They are frequently on the TV, before this current series there have been many others plus the books.

The mother admits herself she set out to find a man with a farm and she seems to have been keen to become a reality TV star. Yes it's all wellies and wooly jumpers, not the gloss of towie but her quest for fame and publicity is no different imo.

[sniffingthewax]

How they (well Amanda) have had loads of media appearances in the past. Amanda also goes on a book signing tour every time too. Fair play to them, it has obviously paid off, they bought a 6 bed house up the road from Ravenseat that they have done up and are doing a holiday let business. A two bed in their area goes on average for £240k so they are obviously not as poor as she made out in the books.

[fruitypancake]

My ds's have really enjoyed watching this with me and has made them/me realise that they should help out more

[GetOffYourHighHorse]

'Fair play to them, it has obviously paid off, they bought a 6 bed house up the road from Ravenseat that they have done up and are doing a holiday let business'

Yes totally agree they've made loads of money out of it, they've done very well. I just find the repeated documentaries pretending they are all about the basic, non materialistic life very fake and tedious.

[ChessieFL]

I haven’t seen any of their previous programmes but I have read a couple of the books. I don’t blame them for using media to make money - nine children don’t come cheap and farming isn’t known for bringing in lots of money. It’s probably worth pointing out to those who haven’t read the books that they don’t own Ravenseat - they’re tenant farmers so as soon as they’re no longer able to farm they will have to leave (hence buying the other house so they have somewhere else to live). I like them and think they come over well in the books and the bit of this current series I’ve seen.

[Doubleraspberry]

I love this programme and I.live the fact they're not obsessed with elf and safety.

I enjoy this programme with my kids too, and read and enjoyed one of her books. But I did once fall into a rabbit hole and read a thread on a farming forum about the H&S concerns and it threw me. The stuff they are being picked up for kills people regularly: other farmers were horrified.

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

Shit, I'm glad a hard working farmer and his large family has made enough money to buy their own property. His wife has written a few books and made some money - why not? They are hardly on the shill, unlike another very very large family I could mention.

[sniffingthewax]

Yes totally agree they've made loads of money out of it, they've done very well. I just find the repeated documentaries pretending they are all about the basic, non materialistic life very fake and tedious

Admittedly I haven't read the most recent book but the first ones she really made out that they were living a hand to mouth existence and could not afford new shoes for the children. One of the children was supposedly wearing odd wellies as they couldn't buy new ones.

But I did once fall into a rabbit hole and read a thread on a farming forum about the H&S concerns and it threw me. The stuff they are being picked up for kills people regularly: other farmers were horrified

I read an article where a (farming) mother whose son died in a farming accident has a low level campaign against the program due to the numerous H&S breaches that endanger their dc's lives. Many in the farming community agree apparently and feel it brings the farming profession into disrepute.

[GetOffYourHighHorse]

'His wife has written a few books and made some money - why not? '

Nothing wrong with it at all. It's worked very well, she wanted a farm and a large family and is making money out of it all, like a reality TV star.

Weve just seen it all so many times they have been on countless programmes. They sell the story of their 'basic' away from modern day life yet seem to have a TV crew there 24/7.

[dottypotter]

well done to her and family and those crticising what have you done with your life?

Those children are ace all polite and well brought up kind and patient with each other.

[kerstina]

I love this programme ! It is so refreshing and the children are a real credit to them ! The littlest ones are adorable . Made me realise how spoiled my own DC is !
It's also absolutely stunning scenery . I remember them being on Ben Fogle ages ago but will try and watch the catch ups of the first series.