Farming film will be tribute to rural life

A feature film celebrating farming in Staffordshire through the years is set to be launched at Staffordshire County Show next week.

'Coming of Age' celebrates the county's rural industries through three generations and it will be premiered on Wednesday. It is being launched by Staffordshire's Rural Hub development group, which says it wanted to reflect the "invaluable and ongoing" contribution the county's farmers make to agriculture, the economy and country life.

Hub chairman, Eunice Finney will be joined by the film's award-winning director Chris Keenan for the invite-only event at the Hub's new drop-in centre at the showground on Stafford's Weston Road.

Mr Keenan runs Birmingham-based company Prime Objective and has travelled the world on his missions with cameras.

He is known for his work documenting the underground music scene in New Orleans but last November switched his attention from the badlands of New Orleans to the farmlands of Staffordshire to make the film about the realities of rural life today.

In the film, veteran farmer, journalist and broadcaster Keith Stevens holds candid interviews with farmers and their wives, all aged from their mid 50s to late 80s. Meanwhile, Rob Atkin, speaking as a young farmer, speaks about his three-generation family farming business.

Frances Beatty, Rural Hub co-ordinator, said: "This film offers a social commentary from the perspective of three generations of Staffordshire farmers, spanning the Second World War years to the 21st Century.

"It's a fascinating insight into farming life, the changing pressures that face each generation and the difficulties and opportunities for young people wanting to go into the industry today."

Meanwhile, a breakfast conference for farmers and rural business owners, which will address issues such as oil prices, commodity price inflation and the downturn in the global economy has been arranged by the Country Land and Business Association.

The conference, called Credit Crunch – Threat or Opportunity, is at 8.30am on the first day of the show at the Knight and Howsons marquee.