01/01/2025

Hannah and Neil check the fixings in the pig field and reflect on last night. Neil opens up about family tensions with George in prison. Hannah asks whether Neil always knew he wanted kids, and he shares some personal information about his own origins. He was left on a baker’s doorstep as a baby and ended up in several care homes before being fostered by a lovely couple. It was a safe warm place, with lots of children coming and going and Neil has fond memories of hearing ‘The Shipping Forecast’ on the radio in the kitchen. When he left school he became a farming apprentice in Ambridge and could afford his own digs. Both of his foster parents have since died and Neil never met his biological mother. Nelly Bannister, the woman at the bakery who scooped him up used to check in on him as a kid, and since then he’s often thought of her. Over a break and Christmas cake, Neil reflects on how content he is with his life and how it’s turned out.

Rex visits a hungover Kirsty to discuss their next move with the beavers and rewilding – Kirsty clearly forgot agreeing to this in the early hours of this morning! Rex explains the complicated licencing process for a beaver enclosure – as well as a high cost over five years. Rex suggests a brisk walk and they talk further. Out in the woods Kirsty feels better, and hopeful. When Rex jokes about just releasing a few beavers, Kirsty says that’s it! Forget the red tape and just go for a wild release.