Kelvin Fletcher ‘disappointed’ as he receives devastating farm news ‘I have no regrets’
Kelvin and his wife, Liz, who run a farm in Cheshire, have been trying to expand their business by taking on arable farming. However, when Kelvin had the crop tested to see if it was good enough to make porridge, he was given some bad news.
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“Of all the new ventures on the farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one of the most exciting,” the voiceover explained.
“In the past. This farm did produce a number of crops, but for the last 20 years, nothing has grown here until now. Today, we find out if the hard graft has paid off.”
“So now we’re off to the mill, the millers,” Kelvin said excitedly. He went on, “There’s a lot riding on this in the sense that we were bold enough to do it in the first place, and then kind of even braver to think that we could get some porridge oats. It is a little nerve-racking as to what the outcome of today is, but it goes without saying, this is just the beginning of our arable journey. Regardless of the result, we will not be deterred.”
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Kelvin received some bad news but said he remained optimistic(Image: ITV)
Kelvin’s sample batch of oats was then tested to see whether they made the grade for human consumption or were destined for the feed troughs. However, when Managing Director James began inspecting the oats, he said, “This is not a promising start.”
He continued, “They look well, but they haven’t absorbed enough moisture in order to swell, so the inside of the grain hasn’t swollen up to make a really meaty groat for porridge. So it was a really long, hot, dry summer, wasn’t it? So, unfortunately, at the right part of that growing cycle, you just wouldn’t have had enough rain up on the field.”
Breaking the news to Kelvin, James added, “So unfortunately, it’s not going to make the grade for porridge. But it’s not all lost, because there’s still nutritional value in here.”
Despite the disappointing news, Kelvin told the camera he still felt optimistic about his crop’s future. He reflected, “You know what I feel? I still feel quite optimistic, you know, a little bit disappointed that we didn’t quite make the grade, but now I’ve got an understanding of what it takes to make the grade, and what it actually means to not make grade.”
“We still grew a great crop. I just didn’t quite have the umph.”
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Kelvin and Liz Fletcher with their children(Image: ITV)
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Elsewhere in the episode, Kelvin’s wife, Liz, was overcome with emotion after finding out their pet dog, Ginger, was expecting a litter of pups.
After a visit from vet Hugo, who scanned Ginger’s tummy, Liz said, “Hugo, I think that is the best news you’ve ever given me.”
Better than the cows?” he enquired, prompting Liz to respond: “Well, it is a close one, but she is just our baby. Oh my god, you are having pups. Very happy that it is good news.”
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The synopsis for the opening episode of series four reveals: “Liz and Kelvin Fletcher make plans to double the size of their flock and herd, hiring local farmhand Josh to help manage the livestock.
“Meanwhile, Marnie is introduced to her new Jacobs as she makes her own plans for the new farming year ahead, the boys find time away from farming to swap tractors for motorbikes, and the family finally gets the green light to start the farmhouse rebuild.”
Fletcher’s Family Farm makes its return to ITV on Sunday at 11.30am.
