23/03/2011 - Permalink

Acton Scott Historic Working Farm gains more TV airtime

Related topics: Community / Leisure, culture and heritage

Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is to make another TV appearance as part of new BBC1 daytime series ‘A Hundred Years of Us’.  Featuring Phil Tufnell, the programme run starts on Monday 28 March 2011, with the Farm due to appear on Tuesday 29 March 2011 at 9.15am.

Described recently as “a national treasure in the heart of Shropshire”, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm has made a number of TV appearances over the past couple of years.  Starting with the surprise hit series, Victorian Farm, the museum and visitor attraction has gone on to starring roles in Victorian Farm Christmas and Ben Fogle’s Escape in Time.   Further to this, the Farm has featured on the BBC’s Countryfile, Country Tracks, Inside Out and Escape to the Country, with its most recent major appearance being in Channel 4’s Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day.

Michael Turner, Manager at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, said:

“It seems that the quality of the product that we can offer TV companies – a superb setting, knowledgeable staff, enthusiasm for our subject and an ability to be adaptable, while still retaining the integrity of what we do – is why they are keen to return to us, or recommend us to others in the business.”

“The fact that we can add value to what we have in-house, through our connections with a number of nationally- recognised experts in a range of subject areas, including colleagues within Shropshire Council’s own historic environment team, I’m sure is also a major draw.”

In isolation, the farm’s TV profile gives a very useful boost to the marketing of its facilities and activities to visitors, the result of which has been a significant increase in numbers through the gate over the past two years.  As important, however, is the part it is playing in raising the profile of the county and the Shropshire Hills area in particular, as a visitor destination.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“The resulting knock-on benefits to the local economy have not gone unnoticed by accommodation providers, other attractions and a range of businesses working within the visitor sector.  So, keeping the farm in the media spotlight is really important.”