The final episode of Kelvin and Liz Fletcher’s ITV farming show aired on Sunday
The curtain has come down on the latest run of Kelvin and Liz Fletcher’s ITV series today, which means come next Sunday, viewers will be greeted by fresh faces in that familiar time slot. Fletcher’s Family Farm has chronicled the couple’s adventures managing their farm just outside Liverpool.
Broadcasting regularly at 11:30am every week, the show has become appointment viewing for many. But from Sunday, 19 April, that slot will welcome Josie’s Taste of the West Country instead.
According to the programme description for Josie’s debut episode: “Proud Bristolian Josie Gibson goes on a culinary tour of the region, meeting local producers, sampling regional delicacies, and celebrating people, flavours and landscapes.
“She begins in Gloucestershire, saddling up for a scenic ride before meeting Countryfile’s Adam Henson and his special pigs, and helping chef Paul Ainsworth make a decadent fondue – with mustard that was written about by William Shakespeare.”
The fourth series delivered both incredible triumphs and crushing heartbreak for the Fletchers. The family were displaced from their farmhouse after a fire tore through it, and suffered further tragedy when they discovered their cow, Cherry, had passed away, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Kelvin reflected: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. I’ve no idea at all about what’s caused it. I’m just surprised how shocking it is, to be honest, I’m just having a bit of shock.” The revelation follows earlier coverage of Kelvin and Liz sharing their hopes that their children will one day take over the family farm as they looked towards the future. During an ITV broadcast in March, the duo opened up about the Fletcher’s range they sell, which helps to “keep the farm thriving”.
The couple, who were left homeless after a recent fire, devised a strategy to generate revenue from their sheep’s wool. Liz explained how shearing the animals is actually a cost to them, and by transforming the fleece into blankets, they could offset some of these outgoings.
She emphasised the tough reality facing farming families, highlighting the need to diversify their businesses to increase income because “farmers are struggling”.
Speaking about her ambitions for the future and the importance of getting their children engaged in the farm’s operations, Liz remarked: “Having the kids involved and helping just makes it special, because they’ll one day, hopefully, take over, and me and Kelvin can be in the Bahamas.
“So I’m hoping that the kids are doing all this, and we’re just sitting back, and they’re sending us money.”
Kelvin chimed in: “You know what I would actually love, let’s say in, I don’t know, 20 years from now, that I’m just kind of the farm handyman, the farm labourer, and that the kids are running a big farming enterprise.” When Liz questioned whether Kelvin could ever bring himself to relinquish control of the business, he replied: “I think that’s probably the hardest thing for most farming families, to let go.”
