'Rock and roll farming' at country fair

A "huge party for the countryside, for farming" is expected, organisers say, at a new event that is a cross between a music festival and country fair.

The Great British Farm Fest in Warwickshire between 22 and 24 May is due to feature former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson and other TV and radio presenters.

Hundreds of animals are to feature at Stoneleigh Park, with 12 arenas planned across 300 acres, before bands, DJs and star guests take to the stage in the evening.

Festival director Chris Hughes said it would be a re-creation of the old Royal Show, but with "some very modern twists" brought by Clarkson and his team.

It was a festival celebrating skills and produce of Britain's farmers and combining "the traditional joy of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival", the venue said.

Described as "rock and roll farming" by Clarkson on the festival's website, the event would feature sheep, horses, cows, pigs and dozens of bands and DJs, the venue stated.

The grand ring would feature Farmageddon - "celebrating the weird, wonderful and the history of farming" and including singing farmers, organisers said.

A tractor parade will be held and the RAF Falcons display team are to take to the skies.

More than 400 stalls will be at the site.

Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland, stars of Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime, are among those lined up.

The entertainment is set to include Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the launch night, radio presenters Sara Cox and Chris Moyles on 23 May, with Alex James from Blur and 10cc on 24 May.

Hughes said: "It's gonna be a huge party for the countryside, for farming, for Warwickshire and Coventry."

He added Clarkson's programme had "shone a light on the countryside, but not in a kind of uptight, earnest way".

"Everything about farming is tough, interesting, but it's also joyful... Who doesn't love a cow? Who doesn't love a sheep?"

There were day tickets, weekend tickets with or without camping and subsidised tickets for farmers and their families, the venue stated.

It said it worked with organisations including The Royal Agricultural Society of England, the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs and the Royal Agricultural University.

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