Chris Jeffery, a farmer featured on Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet, has returned to farming with his son Rob after selling his farm and animals following the death of his wife Kate to breast cancer two and a half years ago.
Emotional decision to leave farming
In Thursday's episode, Chris spoke candidly about losing his wife. He said: "Two and a half years ago, I lost my dear wife, Kate, to breast cancer. We were having just the most lovely life with our cattle, sheep and pigs. I decided that I couldn't and didn't want to do it on my own. So I decided to sell the farm and sell the animals and move away."
Chris, a close friend of Julian Norton, had previously enjoyed life on the North York Moors surrounded by his livestock. After Kate's death, he felt unable to continue running the farm alone.
New start with son Rob
Chris later admitted he soon realised he wanted to return to farming. He explained: "But now I'm bored. I'm 67 going on 48 and I want to do so much more in my life."
That realisation prompted him to start again, this time alongside his son Rob. Chris said: "So, I'm going to start farming again. I can’t have Kate back but I know I can have the farm back." He added: "I know she's there, looking down on me, thinking, ‘That's a great thing to do,' and I know she'd be supporting me."
Building a new flock
The pair have established a new farm together, naming it Oakwood after a special place - Rob's dad's former farm. They have also started building a new flock, with sheep brought over to Yorkshire from Wales.
For Chris, getting back into farming is about more than simply returning to a way of life he knows. It is also a way of keeping a connection with Kate alive and creating something new with his family. As he watched the new sheep arrive, Chris reflected: "It’s nice to be doing it again especially with family."
You can stream Yorkshire Vet on Channel 5.
