Prince William joined young farmers at an event in Somerset today and ran into the stars of Clarkson’s Farm – Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland – revealing that Prince George is a huge fan of the show
Prince William meets with young farmers
Prince William is set to appear on an episode of Clarkson’s Farm after meeting star Kaleb Cooper to discuss mental health within the farming community. The Prince of Wales, 42, shared wisecracks with Kaleb and co-star Charlie Ireland and revealed son Prince George is even a fan of the Amazon Prime show.
William took part in an event for sixty of the Duchy of Cornwall’s next generation of farming tenants at Folly Farm, in Somerset. And he also joined a panel chat hosted by television star and presenter Vick Hope which is set to appear on a future episode of BBC’s Countryfile.
As he met Kaleb, 26, the telly star joked to his royal visitor: “Great hair.” William laughed and joked back asking if the farmer celeb was wearing a clean shirt. And when Kaleb pointed out his boots, William said: “Are they the cleanest ones you’ve got?”
Kaleb has passionately spoken out in the past about mental health challenges for young farmers. He joined Clarkson’s Farm land agent Charlie Ireland for the day of talks and activities for young farmers.
But William told the pair: “You’ve got George watching now. I said to him ‘what shall I say if I meet Kaleb?’ He said ‘tell Kaleb to mind his language.” William also met Vick Hope, presenter of Countryfile, and hosted a panel with Wills and Sam and Emily Stables of charity We are Farming Minds. The prince pointed out the last time they met was in Birmingham during an interview with Radio One.
Vick said: “Yes it was, you mentioned the aubergine emoji was your favourite.” Wills replied laughing: “It felt like the right environment to to do it, not sure maybe today.
The Prince of Wales, who is also the Duke of Cornwall, was announced as the new Patron of We Are Farming Minds which aims to improve the mental health of Duchy farmers. Speaking to the panel he said ridding the “taboo” around mental health in the farming community is a “work in progress”.
He said ” we can do more” to support farmers and speak about mental health. William is a keen advocate and has spoken about mental health issues for several years and added: “I never realised what I’d stumbled into when I scratched the surface. The issue of mental health is fragile and not spoken about enough.” Asked by Vick Hope what was in his “toolkit” used to cope with mental health issues and stress, he replied: “My toolbox is quite big.”
He added: “If you imagine all of the tools you have in a farm, have a tool box that is a mental toolbox and in their you have to have certain tools to deal with any problems that come along in life. If you don’t have that tool, find someone who can provide you with that tool.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for a bit of help. For me breaking work life balance, breaking the cycle where you can. I know in farming world you life, sleep, breath, everything, but try and find away to come away from it, otherwise you’ll find yourself talking about the same thing that bother you on a day to day basis. And it goes round in circles.”
Kaleb has spoken out about the importance of mental health in the farming community.And told William: “Most 20-year-olds are going to clubs and pubs but young farmers are stuck on their tractors, which is great, but they are not talking to anyone.”
He told William that he has around 250 phone calls a day “chatting away” with other young farmers while they are working on fields alone.Speaking afterwards he said it was “great” that Prince George watches Clarkson’s Farm. He added: “It’s family TV and I do get told off for swearing and I try to stop.”
Speaking about William’s efforts to help mental health in family communities, he said: “The more people that shout about it the better. It doesn’t matter who you are but it’s great to have a Royal standing with us and pushing this.”
Charlie Ireland said: “You don’t have to be in farming to understand that there is a problem and that is what he is highlighting, which is fantastic.” The fun day also held workshops for next generation Duchy farmers, youngsters who will inherit from their families and advice in mental health support. William also watched young farmers take part in a tug-of-war. His visit is expected to feature in Clarkson’s Farm series 4 next year and an upcoming Countryfile episode in May.
Source: Mirror
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