The makers behind a brand-new Channel 4 series are looking for somebody to take over the tenancy of a Northumberland farm.
The catch is that the tenant will first have to beat six rivals in a series of challenges that will be aired in an eight-part TV series.
In each episode of the series the potential tenants will take on one or more tasks/experiences before the assessors (the National Trust) decide who will progress to the next stage.
Many of the real-world farm tasks/experiences involve processes that help to improve the land or buildings on the available farm. Some will take place on other farms, which may be either on the wider estate or in the local area.
Filming for the series will begin at the same time of the tenancy, May 2023, and will take three weeks in total.
It will air on More 4 and its working title is ‘Matt Baker: Farm of a Lifetime’.
It’s being produced by the same team that gave us Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales
10-year tenancy
The series winner will take on the 10-year tenancy of the currently vacant Gallows Hill Farm on the Wallington Estate
Gallows Hill Farm comprises 137ha of land and an idyllic grade two listed farmhouse. Its tenancy has become available for the first time in over thirty years.
The farmhouse, which is currently being refurbished by the National Trust, sits centrally within the farmstead and features a south facing walled garden and orchard. There are a variety of traditional and modern farm buildings.
The tenancy would begin on May 13, 2023 and rent would be paid to the National Trust.
The relationship between the National Trust and the tenant will be the usual landlord/tenant relationship including all relevant obligations and liabilities, and neither Big Circus nor Channel 4 shall have any liability whatsoever in respect of the tenancy.
Deadline
Applications are now open and will close on October 30.
People that are qualified and experienced with livestock are being sought. Interested parties can apply either as an individual or as a couple or partnership.
Successful applicants will be invited to view the farm in November 2022; applicants can expect to hear if they have been shortlisted by November 7.
Selected applicants who attend the visit will then be invited to take part in the second stage, which involves completing another application form with personal background details, undergoing financial checks and providing a business plan, including tendering rent, for Gallows Hill Farm.
They will also be asked to submit a short video about themselves.
The third stage of the competition is the three-week residential selection process, which will be filmed on-site at Wallington, Northumberland (and other locations notified to you).
The seven applicants who make it to this stage will be required to take part in a series of real-life farm-related tasks and based on the outcome of these, plus the applicants’ business plans, the group will be narrowed-down once more.
During this time, applicants will be living away from home in Northumberland in accommodation arranged and paid for by the television production company.
One successful applicant will be invited by the assessors to sign the tenancy agreement for the farm.
Application forms and more information can be found on the Farm of a Lifetime website.
