Famous farm to hold festival

IT'S been the star of a hit television series and now Suffolk's most famous farm is being transformed into a festival site.

Preparations are in full swing for the Harvest at Jimmy's music and food festival being held at Jimmy's Farm at Wherstead, near Ipswich, this weekend.

Stages are being built, tents are being erected and ingredients are being prepared for the two-day event, which is taking place for the first time and has already sold out.

Up to 5,000 people are expected each day at the farm, which was made famous by a BBC2 TV series.

It will feature top names in music including KT Tunstall, Badly Drawn Boy, Athlete and Jose Gonzalez and live demonstrations from award-winning chefs James Martin, James Wong and Gennaro Contaldo.

Chefs from Jamie Oliver's Fifteen will be holding masterclasses for festival-goers, who will also get to sample and buy local produce from a host of exhibitors.

There is also a paddock dedicated to children's activities, including a bouncy castle, animal tours, face painting and a treasure hunt.

Speaking at the site yesterday, Jimmy Doherty, who runs the farm, said: “I'm feeling a mixture of excitement, nerves and just not being able to wait for the doors to open.

“The response from the public has been absolutely huge - we've got visitors from the US and Germany, all over the world.

“But I'm delighted from the great response we've had from Suffolk and everyone seems really pleased with what we're doing.”

He said the festival would provide an economic boost to the area with campsites and guesthouses gearing up for a busy weekend.

“There's no camping on site because we wanted all the local campsites and B&Bs to benefit as well.

“You can't find a free hotel room anywhere near - I know because I've been trying to book one for my mum!”