Jannine Waddell, MD, Waddell Media says: “This series was filmed from September last year through to June. We made the decision to try to keep filming with the students as they dealt with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“These young people are totally amazing and viewers will be able to see just how resilient they are, following them as they become essential workers who take on jobs in hospitals, garden centres and even a butchers during lockdown.”
Unlike many other colleges, CAFRE’s motto is to ‘learn by doing’ and this series follows a selection of students who thrive on cutting edge practical studies and getting their hands dirty, whether that’s in farming, food, flowers or foals. During the series, viewers get exclusive access to the three CAFRE College campuses based at Enniskillen, Loughry and Greenmount, to find out what it really takes for these students to become qualified ‘Custodians of the Countryside’.
Veronica Cunningham, Series Producer, Waddell Media says: “The series tracks the experiences of several students of different ages and from different backgrounds, as they get to grips with College life before and after lockdown. We were able to continue filming the students during lockdown by following strict social distance procedures, capturing an unprecedented time in the College’s history, when it had to close its gates for the first time since World War 2.”
Each episode concentrates on the chronological seasonal unfolding of the College Term.
The series is narrated by County Tyrone actor Fra Fee (‘Les Miserables’, ‘The Ferryman’ who has recently been cast in Sony Picture’s upcoming musical movie ‘Cinderella’).
Countryside College starts on Wednesday 26th August at 10.45pm BBC One Northern Ireland
Greenmount College Students Leanne Green and Katie Acheson
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