Jeremy Clarkson Contemplated Selling Diddly Squat Farm Amidst Series of Challenges
Former Top Gear Presenter Faces Farming Dilemma Amidst Crop Failures and Council Rows
In the world of motoring, Jeremy Clarkson, known for his high-octane adventures on Top Gear, found himself at a crossroads that had nothing to do with cars. The iconic presenter recently revealed that he contemplated putting Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington on the market after a series of “disasters.”
In the serene countryside of Oxfordshire, Jeremy Clarkson’s foray into farming took an unexpected turn. In the farm’s inaugural year, he made a mere £114, a far cry from the fortunes he’s accustomed to in the motoring world. Little did he know that this humble figure would be considered a dream result when compared to the harsh realities of recent years.
Diddly Squat Farm has faced an onslaught of challenges, making it increasingly difficult to maintain profitability. The farm’s woes range from crop failures to unpredictable weather conditions wreaking havoc on yields. Jeremy Clarkson, never one to shy away from expressing his opinions, found himself in confrontations with local councils over various issues plaguing the farm.
One particularly alarming incident involved his Hawkstone cider bottles, which faced the risk of explosion due to over-fermentation, prompting frantic warnings to customers. Despite his best efforts, conventional farming, diversification, and experimenting with different livestock failed to yield fruitful results in the financial department.
Clarkson’s dilemma came to a head when he arrived at a crossroads, uncertain about the farm’s future. Contemplating the possibility of selling, he weighed the pros and cons. In his Sunday Times column, he mused, “I could sell the farm and earn far more from the interest than I do from growing bread and beer and vegetable oil.” However, his fondness for the Oxfordshire farm, combined with the knowledge that there are no death duties on farmland, swayed him toward retaining ownership.
He further explained, “But I like having it and for very good reasons. There are no death duties on farmland, so my children like me having it too. This means I have to hang on to it, but what then? Do nothing? That would be heartbreaking.”
Ultimately, Jeremy Clarkson has decided to keep Diddly Squat Farm for now, and his land agent, humorously referred to as Cheerful Charlie, recently confirmed the purchase of nine months’ worth of fertiliser.
As fans eagerly await the third season of “Clarkson’s Farm,” slated for release in 2024, discussions with Amazon about a potential fourth season are reportedly underway. For now, the farm remains a testament to Clarkson’s resilience, both as a farmer and a motoring legend.
