British actor Toby Jones swapped the screen for the eco barn at FarmED near Chipping Norton, where he joined a sold-out fundraising evening focused on acting, nature and the future of the countryside.
The Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Detectorists and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star appeared at FarmED on Sunday 16 August for an intimate conversation about his career and his growing commitment to environmental causes.
While the evening gave audiences an opportunity to hear stories from Jones’s career across stage and screen, his enthusiasm for nature and wildlife became an equally important part of the conversation.
FarmED’s Public Engagement Coordinator Alex Dye, who interviewed Jones during the event, said the actor had been keen to emphasise that his decision to attend was driven by a genuine belief in FarmED’s work.
The organisation, based at Honeydale Farm, promotes regenerative farming, sustainable food systems and environmental education. Its programme aims to give people of all ages an opportunity to explore how farming can contribute to healthier landscapes, communities and food systems.
A new role focused on nature
Jones also discussed his role as Patron of the John Clare Countryside Project, an initiative inspired by the landscape and poetry of the celebrated Northamptonshire poet.
The project seeks to put nature at the centre of local action addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency, bringing together landowners, charities, businesses and public bodies around conservation, heritage, access and nature recovery.
For FarmED, the connection between Jones’s environmental interests and its own work made the evening particularly fitting.
FarmED co-founder Ian Wilkinson said the organisation was grateful to Jones for giving his time to support its work.
As a not-for-profit organisation, FarmED says income from events such as the Toby Jones evening helps it continue creating opportunities for people to learn about regenerative agriculture and the future of farming.
The event was held in FarmED’s eco barn and ran from 5.30pm to 8pm. It was listed as sold out ahead of the event.
For an organisation working at the intersection of farming, food and environmental education, the evening offered a useful reminder that the conversation around the countryside extends well beyond agriculture — and can attract some familiar faces along the way.
