Farm Africa announces virtual carol concert

Farm Africa has announced its annual carol concert will take place virtually for the first time from 7pm to 7.45pm on Wednesday 16 December 2020.

The concert will be hosted by farmer and star of Quest’s ‘Born Mucky – Life on the farm’, Ally Hunter Blair, and will feature readings by the charity’s patron Michael Palin and agricultural journalist and broadcaster Anna Jones, as well as a selection of seasonal carols.

The concert falls in the same week as Farm Africa’s appeal on BBC Radio 4, also presented by Michael Palin, which will be broadcast twice on Sunday 13 December and once on Thursday 17 December.

The concert is free to attend, but there will be opportunities to make donations to Farm Africa including entering a prize draw. Funds raised will support the charity’s work helping farming families across eastern Africa to improve their agricultural practices, protect their natural resources and strengthen their business management skills.

Ally Hunter Blair commented: “I am delighted to be hosting Farm Africa’s first ever virtual carol concert. Farm Africa is an outstanding charity and I have seen at first hand some of the truly amazing work that they are doing to help transform the lives of fellow farmers. I’d love to see you all there for some festive cheer. Join us on 16 December!”

Anna Jones, who makes television and radio programmes about farming and rural affairs, including BBC One’s Countryfile and occasionally presents Radio 4’s Farming Today and On Your Farm, added: “African agriculture holds a very special place in my heart. I have been lucky enough to travel around Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa meeting farmers and farming communities. It’s easy to feel isolated and powerless in 2020 so Farm Africa’s virtual carol concert is a great opportunity to be involved in something that will raise much-needed funds and much-needed festive cheer!”

Marian Torres, Special Events Manager at Farm Africa, commented: “Farmers across eastern Africa are facing unprecedented challenges. The triple threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, an invasion of desert locusts and severe flooding threatens to plunge farming communities in the region into crippling poverty. The virtual carol concert offers an opportunity to not only enjoy a festive evening from the comfort of your own home but to help provide farmers in eastern Africa with the knowledge and tools they need to build stronger, sustainable businesses that can thrive, even during a crisis.”

To book a place at the concert please visit www.farmafrica.org/carols