Farm Fest visitors have defended Jeremy Clarkson over controversies around some of the traders.
The former Top Gear host, who lives in Oxfordshire where his hit series Clarkson’s Farm is filmed, was leading a new countryside festival this weekend.
The event had been promoted as a celebration of farmers’ skills and produce, mixing “the traditional joy of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival”.
Reports suggested around 20,000 people attended on Saturday, with an estimated 55,000 visitors expected over the whole weekend and more than 400 traders signed up to the event.
But a select few traders left early from the festival while “struggling to hold back tears”, branding it “catastrophic” and a “shambles”.
Korrine Pallas, who runs a pet product firm, claimed on social media that Friday had been “the worst day’s trading we have ever had”.
However, visitors and other traders have been defending Mr Clarkson and Farm Fest.
Visitor Tony, whose surname was not disclosed, said: “It seems however that nearly all the traders I spoke with went expecting it was ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ riding on the shirt tales of Jeremy and his team.”
Steve Evans added: “It was a massive opportunity to promote and bring in the wider public to British agriculture and in my opinion the team behind it got it 99 per cent right.
“As a first hit out at I must commend them all as it cannot have been easy to get this off the ground.
“Yes there have been complaints from stall holders and I totally get it […] but this event must be held every year for economic, promotional, exposure and social reasons.”
He added: “I for one sincerely hope that it becomes a date on the calendar every year.”
Viral baked potato seller Spud Man, of Tik Tok fame, also defended Mr Clarkson and Farm Fest saying he “absolutely smashed it out the park” on Sunday.
In a statement, organisers said: “We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend.
“We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors.”
The entertainment on Sunday included Alex James from Blur and 10cc, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor also performing in the days before.
Joining Mr Clarkson over the weekend was Lisa Hogan, Cheerful Charlie, Kaleb Cooper and longstanding producer for Top Gear, Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm Andy Wilman.
