BBC star forced to defend his farm after Christmas fair chaos sparks complaints
A BBC star has been forced to defend his farm after Christmas fair chaos sparked a series of complaints from the public.
TV presenter Jimmy Doherty, a childhood friend of Jamie Oliver, runs Jimmy’s Farm in Suffolk.
The farm and wildlife park became famous on the hit BBC Two series Jimmy’s Farm.
But after holding a weekend Christmas fair at the Ipswich farm, which featured stalls with live music, food, and free parking, it is courting some controversy due to traffic management issues.
Jimmy has defended the traffic measures taken during the event on Saturday and Sunday.
The farm is a five-minute drive from the A14 dual carriageway.
However, motorists reported that the entrance was gridlocked on and around the A137 junction at Wherstead, causing chaos for residents.
“We understand the frustration in trying to get to the event,” said a spokesperson for the attraction.
“We will take into consideration all and every aspect of the traffic and local network using our knowledge from this year.”
An Ipswich Town football match occurred on the same weekend, which organisers sought to avoid clashing with.
The roadworks also coincided with an accident nearby on Sunday, which organisers say may have “compounded” the traffic issues.
“The event is strategically and meticulously planned with traffic marshals and stewards deployed throughout the site and a one-way system is in place. Year on year, this system has been successful,” they added.
In 2002 and 2003, Jimmy appeared as a guest on two episodes of his pals’ show Oliver’s Twist.
He then trained as a pig farmer and met Jamie’s runner, with whom he now runs The Essex Pig Company.
The pair uses free-range products and specialises in Gloucestershire Old Spots, Middle Whites, and Norfolk Horn sheep.
The farm was bought using the proceeds of his book On The Farm, which details his farming ventures.
Since then, he has been on many shows, including Farming Heroes on the BBC, which aired from July 2008 to August 2008, Jimmy’s Food Factory, and A Farmer’s Life for Me, broadcast in February and March 2011 before he signed up exclusively to Channel 4.
Jamie and Jimmy’s Food Fight Club and Friday Night Feast are just some of the other projects he has been involved in since.