Egg-stra special Easter treats

Actor Kelvin Fletcher is planning an egg-stra special Easter as he opens up his farm to help raise funds for the Peak District National Park Foundation.

Kelvin and his wife, Liz, are hosting a Spring Easter trail on their farm, near Macclesfield, where visitors can learn about nature as they collect hidden eggs. The bookable trips – which also include a chance to meet Alice in Wonderland and the Easter Bunny – are from 1^st to 16^th April.

The family’s farming adventures have been featured in a TV series and a book – Fletchers on the Farm – prompting fans to ask if it was possible to visit.

Kelvin, who is an ambassador for the Foundation, saw the Spring Easter trail as an ideal opportunity to raise funds for the charity.

He says: “So many people have reached out and said they’ve loved learning about our farming experiences. We’ve been amazed and overwhelmed at how much we’ve connected with people. 

“We’ve always done Easter egg hunts as a family, so the next logical step was to open up our land and allow visitors to enjoy it with us. 

“I’ll be there – from checking people in to getting pictures with the Easter Bunny. We’re involving all the family and local people – we want it to feel like an extension of our little community.”

The former Emmerdale star and Strictly Come Dancing winner shares the farm with Liz and their four children, Marnie, Milo and twins Maximus and Mateusz.

Kelvin adds: “This is the first time we’ve opened up our land in this way. It’s an opportunity for families to learn more about the farm and nature – and to celebrate the Peak District National Park.

“It’s a chance to get outside together, meet our animals and have fun searching for little eggs. When visitors reach the forest area, Alice and the Easter Bunny will be waiting with a spectacular interactive show to wow the children before they exchange their eggs for real chocolate. There’ll be refreshments for the grown-ups, too.”

Kelvin became an ambassador for the Foundation after his experiences of farming in the Peak District gave him a new appreciation of the countryside and the challenges it faces.

He says: “I’m passionate about the Peak District Foundation and its aims – from caring for our landscapes to encouraging more people to experience the National Park.

“I feel I’ve seen both sides. Before we moved to the countryside, I was a keen walker but  didn’t always have the knowledge of why it’s so important to do certain things – such as closing gates and keeping dogs on leads. 

“However, as a farmer, I’ve learned there are consequences to actions – when a gate was left open, my sheep got out. As farmers in the Peak District, where public footpaths cross our land, we absolutely want to work in unison with visitors. It just takes a bit of interest and understanding.

“So, it’s a match made in heaven for us to work with the Foundation to promote the good of the National Park. As custodians of the Park, we want to make sure it’s there for future generations and we want to help where we can.”

Life has changed significantly for the family since they bought their 120-acre farm just after lockdown.

“We’ve still got a lot to learn but I feel like we’ve grown immensely as enthusiasts for farming and country living,” says Kelvin. “It is absolutely the best decision we’ve ever made.

“We’ve gone from 10 to 60 sheep and we’re expecting just short of 100 lambs in the next few weeks. We’re very much a mixed farm – with pigs, horses and alpacas as well as sheep.

“As an actor, you need perseverance because nothing comes easily. There are no guarantees – you have to embrace the unknown. And that’s true of farming, too.”

To book a place on the Spring Easter Trail go to www.eventbrite.com/e/557246066987