2 minute read
‘It’s been a hell of a journey!’
by jimmysfarm
Interview
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This year sees the 20th anniversary of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, which started out as a farm for rare breed pigs in 2002. Tales from Jimmy’s Farm celebrates the journey that Jimmy and his family have found themselves on over the years, and the many animals that now call the farm home.
www.jimmysfarm.com
Interview
We catch up with Jimmy to nd out more...
Jimmy, tell us what your new book is about!
In my new book, I’ll talk you through how my childhood dream of owning a wildlife park became a reality. In the 20 years since I bought the once derelict farm, we’ve had some highs and lows, but the main thing is we’ve managed to have a laugh throughout it all. From pink tractors to escaping meerkats, guinea pig village and rowdy reindeers. It’s been one hell of a journey and the craziness continues every day!
How did you nd the experience of writing it? What were the best and worst parts for you?
It was a very nostalgic experience as you can imagine, re ecting on the years gone by and thinking of my standout memories. It’s all gone so, so quick – the years just y past. It’s also excited me, looking forward to what the future will bring.
What main thing would you like people to take from the book?
is book is a story of development and I really hope it inspires people to live out their dreams. It’s better to try something, and it fail, than never try at all. Nine times out of ten, if you are passionate about something you will succeed because you have that re in your belly to keep going despite all the setbacks.
I also want people to take away the stories of the animals, and the people, that are featured along the way because everyone has shaped our journey and played a part.
Do you have a favourite animal that features in the book?
Steve McQueen, the escaping meerkat, has to be a favourite of mine. He kept escaping his enclosure and we all couldn’t believe how o en he got out – hence the name Steve McQueen! He’s thankfully got a brand-new enclosure now that’s escape proof! Just a er I nished writing the book, Alice and Arthur, our Bactrian camels, had a baby – Audrey. It’s hard to tell if a camel was pregnant, so although we had our suspicions, we weren’t entirely sure. Audrey is just incredible to watch and knowing Alice was pregnant during writing the book is lovely to think.
Tales from Jimmy’s Farm
by Jimmy Doherty publishes 13 October 2022 in hardback, priced £20 (Headline Home).
With this magazine you can get an exclusive 25% discount on pre-orders! Use discount code JIMMYSFARM25 at: www.bit.ly/HEADLINEJIMMYSFARM
www.jimmysfarm.com
