Kelvin Fletcher and his family are back on our screens with a new series of Fletcher’s Family Farm.
The former Emmerdale star and his wife Liz have returned to viewers’ homes, still in the process of recovering from the devastating fire that swept through their estate.
Kelvin, 41, welcomes cameras onto his farm for the third series, confidently telling fans that he finally feels like a true farmer. “This is my version of a happy life; we’ve found our purpose,” he shares with The Mirror.
Joining Kelvin in the fourth year of Fletcher’s Family Farm are his wife Liz and their four children – Marnie, Milo, and twins Mateusz and Maximus. “I’d even say the kids are farmers themselves,” Liz remarks.
The Peak District farm, located in Cheshire, is busier than ever. With lambing season at its peak, even the twins are getting stuck in to help.
“It’s our fourth year of lambing,” Kelvin says. “We’re completely in our rhythm. The lambs are coming along beautifully, and we hardly have to intervene. It’s exactly what you hope for.”
This season brings more than just lambs. For the first time, the Fletchers have introduced a breeding bull to expand their herd, building on the success of their prize cow, Cherry, who was named Supreme Champion at the Royal Cheshire Show.
“We’ve never had a male on the farm for breeding before. I’m really excited,” admits Kelvin, adding with a smile, “The cows were far more thrilled than he was.”
The arrival of the bull holds special significance for Kelvin. He named him Crowther in honor of his late best friend, Steven Crowther.
“He’s named after my best mate, who sadly passed away,” Kelvin explains. “Every time I see Crowther, I think of him. Some of my fondest memories were with him by my side. If my friend were to be an animal, he’d be a bull.”
Kelvin also shared this touching tribute with his late friend’s parents. “I sent them a photo, and they were overjoyed,” he says.
But amid the excitement came a devastating setback. While the family was enjoying a rare holiday, their farmhouse was engulfed in flames. “We had taken the whole family away, and a few days later, we got the call that the house was on fire,” Liz recalls.
“Our first thought was, ‘thank goodness we weren’t here,’” Kelvin recalls. The blaze tore through the roof of their beloved home, which they had spent years renovating with care. To make matters worse, the smoke damage is so extensive that the property is now uninhabitable.
“It was the stuff of nightmares,” Kelvin admits. “Our neighbour called in a panic; the fire was raging.”
Yet there was nothing they could do. “The fire brigade was on the scene. It felt surreal. We were in another country with no way to help,” he remembers.
Despite the devastation, the Fletchers remain positive as they assess the charred remains of their home at Fletcher’s Family Farm.
“We just have to clean up and get things back in order,” Kelvin says with a smile. Liz adds a touch of humor: “One thing I love about a rebound—my ironing board is gone! Fortunately, I never did any ironing anyway.”
This year, the Fletchers aren’t just focused on their livestock. Kelvin is also determined to revive the farm’s heritage as a more diversified operation.
“This farm used to be a mixed operation,” Kelvin explains. “It had both livestock and crops—barley, oats, potatoes. But for the past 20 years, it’s been solely focused on livestock.”
Now, the family is taking on a new challenge: growing their own oats. “We’re going to plant oats, and hopefully, in six to nine months, we’ll be sitting at our breakfast table enjoying the oats we’ve grown ourselves,” Kelvin shares.
The project begins with Kelvin ploughing his first oat field, using more than four tonnes of specialised machinery.
Liz, however, was initially doubtful. “This was definitely Kelvin’s idea, and I told him I didn’t think it could work,” she admits. “There are a lot of challenges stacked against us. But he was determined that we’d grow oats. It’s such a different venture for us.”
Their eldest daughter, eight-year-old Marnie, is also finding her footing on the farm. Passionate about animals, she’s raising her own flock of Jacob lambs and learning the basics of shepherding under her father’s guidance.
- “EastEnders’ Danny Dyer’s long-lost Casualty appearance resurfaces – and he looks the same”
- Emmerdale fan favourite issues apology following embarrassing mishap
- Soap icon who portrays infamous villain exits Hollyoaks in huge setback for the show
- “General Hospital Spoilers: Next Week — Willow Faces a Tough Choice, Josslyn’s Peril Grows, and Britt Hits a Breaking Point”
- “General Hospital Spoilers: Chase Torn Between Seeking Justice for Willow and Protecting His Marriage”
