Hawkstone Farmers Choir member says the group has been on 'quite a journey'

One of the members of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir has shared their experience after performing at this year's National Television Awards which took place at the O2 in London this week.

Ted Howard-Jones, choir member and a farmer from the Chiltern Hills, described how proud yet overwhelmed the singers were after swapping the farmyard for the red carpet.

Mr Howard-Jones said: "Exactly a year ago, we were gathered in Cricklade Village Hall learning One Day Like This for our Britain's Got Talent audition. Last night, almost a year to the day, we opened the National Television Awards with the same song, featuring our soloists Owain Fisher and Rosie Jones. 

"Quite a journey for a group of farmers like me who had never sung together before. 

He added: "For Owain in particular, the journey has been remarkable. The 35-year-old dairy farmer and farm manager from Pembrokeshire had not sung in public since being picked on for singing at school before joining the choir."

Clarkson's Farm success

Mr Howard-Jones said the evening became even more special when Clarkson's Farm went on to win the Reality Docuseries award.

"Jeremy Clarkson introduced us as ‘the least orange people in the room', before we took to the stage in front of the NTA audience. We were then given the full red-carpet treatment and invited to join the celebrities at the after-show party."

Jeremy Clarkson says his NTA win is a 'vote for farmers'

It has been a busy few months following the choir's win on the ITV1 talent show and since then the 30+ singers have appeared at Cereals - held this year at Diddly Squat farm and also at the Royal Welsh Show and Mr Clarkson's newly established Harvest Festival at the Farmers' Dog pub.

BFA appearance

The group has also recorded its first album and will also appear at FG's British Farming Awards next month before embarking on a nationwide tour next year.

Throughout its journey, the group has sought to shine a light on the challenges faced by some farmers, including the mental health issues and loneliness experienced by many in the industry.

Mr Howard-Jones added: "It was another extraordinary night for a choir whose message remains ‘Farmers Finding Their Voice' – using singing to bring people together and help put farming and rural mental health in the spotlight."

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