Farmer climbs London's 'fourth plinth' to get his message across

Taking his place on the fourth plinth – an art project led by sculptor Anthony Gormley - farmer John Charles-Jones joined statues of George IV, Henry Havelock and Sir Charles James Napier overlooking one of the capital’s most famous landmarks.

Mr Charles-Jones, who farms 700 acres with his wife Cathy at Woodborough near Nottingham producing wheat, barley and oilseed rape, used his opportunity to highlight the NFU’s Why Farming Matters campaign.

Speaking from the plinth he said: “It’s very important people understand exactly what farmers are doing up and down the country.

“A lot of people walking past here on their way to work would have had British cereals, milk or meat for breakfast and it is so important they realise where that comes from and show farmers their support.”

As Mr Charles-Jones stood on top of the plinth, his wife Cathy joined NFU staff handing out recipe books to passers-by featuring Red Tractor produce.

Part of the One and Other project, which gives members of the public the opportunity to spend an hour on the famous plinth, Mr Charles-Jones was 2,370^th person to step up.

Other notable participants have included nudists, musicians, human rights campaigners, pole dancers and a whole host of entertainers making the most of their opportunity to become part of a famous landmark.

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