Why I have huge sympathy for rural residents in the vicinity of Leeds Festival - Sarah Todd

There are no annoying presenters butting in or gimmicky challenges, the programme makers stay in the background where they should be and let the farmers tell their own stories in their own words.

It proves a point; that good television can be very simple and us viewers are left to either enjoy its low-key style or not. While there’s no doubt the producers will be capped if the viewing figures are once again successful, there is an overall feeling that telling these farmers’ stories authentically means more to the crew than any amount of commercial success.

Not exactly another ray of sunshine, but it was interesting to come across a report that Britain is seeing an end to the Covid move-to-the-country property boom.

Rural real estate agents Knight Frank report country homes have decreased in value by over four per cent since June last year.

The company’s senior research analyst says a 14th interest rate rise from the Bank of England, with a 15th more than likely, is placing “continued pressure” on house prices, which have fallen for a fourth successive month.

While deals continue to be done and we’re far from a property crash, there are definite signs that people are moving back to urban areas after realising the grass isn’t always greener in the countryside.

This perhaps gives some hope that the reasons given by incomers for turning their backs on new lives in the sticks - such as employment and education - may finally come to the attention of the powers-that-be.

Us yokels have known for generations that living in rural communities isn’t all roses-around-the-door. The thing is, there have been so many television programmes and spreads in the property pages of national newspapers and magazines that the authorities and rural MPs have made the mistake of thinking we’re all living our best lives. They have taken their eye off the ball.

While we marvel at big news issues like immigration and striking train drivers, what a lot of us rural dwellers are really bothered about is what’s going on in our own backyards. Issues like our children having no hope whatsoever of being able to buy a home in the country villages where they have grown up is a huge concern. As is poor public transport and limited employment opportunities. Yes, in this place called the countryside - that seemed so attractive to so many post-pandemic - we get pretty much nothing in return for our extortionate council tax. Contrary to the aforementioned lifestyle features in the press, working from home in the countryside isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Not least broadband connections that disappear midway through any kind of online meeting.

Finally, there have been some fabulous photographs from the weekend’s successful Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta. Castle Howard was the most jaw-dropping backdrop for the event. Not even an old misery guts like this correspondent can say it wasn’t magnificent to see the hot air balloons. What was baffling was the accompanying four days and nights of blaring noise. As a result, huge sympathy now goes out to those rural residents in the vicinity of Leeds Festival.

We had a geriatric pony beside herself along with a heavily-pregnant terrier and sheep that went into the hedge on the first night and completely forgot - as only sheep can - to come out and have a drink. They got themselves into a right pickle; completely disorientated. It wasn’t the balloons that blew their woolly brains; it was the thumping noise of the on-stage performances.

There are obviously very sensible economic reasons why these events have to be on such a grand scale. It stands to reason that if the weather had been bad and the balloons couldn’t have taken off; there needed to be some alternative entertainment for those who had made the journey. Not wanting to burst anybody’s balloon, but there is something so sad that nowadays we seem to need so much noisy razzmatazz for a day out to be complete. Our children would have been more than capped with simply seeing a hot air balloon. No need for anything more. We should try to remember the joy of simple wonder or we are at risk of producing a generation that is never satisfied.