Britain's most senior farming couple reflected on their long-running career in an episode of the beloved Yorkshire Vet spin-off. The Yorkshire Vet: At Home with the Greens centres around married couple Jean, 73, and Steve, 96, as they showcase their life on Stoneybrough Farm in Thirsk, where they rise at dawn to tend to the dairy calves they look after and work on the land.
A Helicopter Ride and an Estate Agent's Visit
The couple have farmed the land since they were married more than 40 years ago. A repeat episode was aired on Channel 5 on Tuesday (August 4), which saw Jean get to see her farm from above when Peter Wright took her on the helicopter ride of a lifetime. The Greens were also busy chopping firewood with the help of Jean's younger brother.
That's not all, as they later received a visit from an estate agent, who surprised them with just how much money they could make by selling some of their 25-acre estate.
Land Valuable for Development
Narrator Peter Davison explained: "Over the last few years, the price of feed has risen dramatically, so the couple have been thinking about ways to earn some extra corn for themselves. And they know that one of their most valuable assets is their land."
Richard Thompson, a North Yorkshire estate agent specialising in rural properties and land, soon arrived to take a look at the farm. "You've got about 25 acres here, in all. It'll be hugely desirable for a lot of builders. It's right on the edge of town. You've got the A19 just behind us here, which is a main artery up to Teesside. It's perfect," Richard said.
A Tough Decision
In the past, Steve and Jean had been adamant they're not going to sell their land, but they were curious to know what it might be worth. After having a look at the farm, Richard met with the couple to explain their options. He said: "Jean and Steve, I've had a good old wander round, and it's a lovely spot. There are options here. There are a lot of options... It could be developed as housing. If you did look at the future in housing, I mean, you're probably looking at 200 on here."
Selling enough land for 200 houses would mean a significant seven-figure sum for Steve and Jean, but was it enough to make them move away from the farm they've lived on and loved for so many years? "Money won't buy health and happiness, young man," Jean told Richard, who noted: "You've been here a lot of years and it would be a big wrench to sell the whole thing, for sure. Yeah, it's a tough decision."
Staying Put
Jean revealed that their family had been on the farm for 79 years, before Richard acknowledged: "It's a tough decision to make, certainly. But it's just to put you in the picture. I mean, you could consider just selling a small part of what you've got here. No pressure. Just let us know if you want anything doing. If you want nothing doing, that's fine, but at least you'll know where you are."
After reflecting on the possibility of giving up the farm, Jean soon revealed the couple's decision, saying: "I've heard what Richard had to say. I've understood what it's worth. But no, I don't want to move, I've been here all our lives. And we're going to stay. This is our home."
The Yorkshire Vet: At Home with the Greens is available to stream on Channel 5.
