Embargoed until 0:00 on 08/05/2020

Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mmkr4vd4kltdyri/Farm%20Stay%20UK%20VE%20Day%20tribute.MP4?dl=0

Link to video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/zZYA4-83L4c

Rural accommodation cooperative, Farm Stay UK, has gone back to the land to create a video to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Members from up and down the country teamed together to create a montage video to the tune of We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn while dressed as Land Army girls, cuddling lambs and riding tractors in a tribute to those who fed the nation during the Second World War.

Farm Stay UK was founded in 1983 as the Farm Holiday Bureau by a group of farm accommodation providers who wanted to support each other and has since grown to more than 500 members across Britain.

The video was pieced together by Lisa Preston of Pickersgill Manor Farm in Yorkshire who said: “It has been such a lovely thing to do for our members. A lot of us are good friends and we give each other so much support and advice.

“It's a bit bleak in the accommodation industry at the moment and this has put a smile on our faces.”

The idea first blossomed after Farm Stay UK members took part in a TikTok challenge which saw them throwing an egg across the country to reach a member in need.

Chairperson, Kay Bariball of Polhilsa Farm in Cornwall said: “We already knew we wanted to do something special for VE Day and the egg-throwing video had such a great reaction on our social media pages, it inspired us to think of a way we could combine the celebrations with a farming theme.

“Paying tribute to the farmers and Land Army who kept Britain ploughing during the Second World War seemed the perfect theme.

“A huge thanks to Lisa who organised it and pieced it all together for us.”

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Notes to editors:

For more information contact Megan Allen at Rural Roots Media on 07730 599358 or megan@rural-roots.co.uk

Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mmkr4vd4kltdyri/Farm%20Stay%20UK%20VE%20Day%20tribute.MP4?dl=0

Link to video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/zZYA4-83L4c

About Farm Stay UK: Farm Stay UK is a “Not-For-Profit” farmer-owned consortium, registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Act. The main objective is to more effectively market the accommodation provided by its members thus helping increase occupancy rates and incomes.Farm Stay UK members who contributed to the video are:

Neil and Wendy Burrows - Alkham Court, Kent.

David and Felicity Brown - Hoe Grange Holidays, Peak District. 

Jane Cook - Pickwell Barton Cottages, Devon. 

Lisa Preston - Pickersgill Manor Farm, Yorkshire. 

Melanie Benwell - Trevorrick Farm Cottages, Cornwall. 

Caroline Barker - Cundall Lodge Farm, Yorkshire. 

Tanya Umpleby - The Cud Life, Yorkshire. 

Maggie Johnson - Mallard Grange, Yorkshire. 

Lindsay Hitchen - St. George's Court, Yorkshire. 

Catherine Raw - West Leas Farm, Yorkshire. 

Brenda Savery - West Down, Devon.

Sally Anne Chesters - Millmoor Farm Holidays, Cheshire. 

Dawn Venables - Holly Tree Farm, Cheshire. 

Maggie Berry - Brenley Farm, Kent.