Boy writes letter to farmer and ends up helping run business

A young farmer who wrote a letter as a child asking for work experience at a farm in Cheshire is now helping run the business - and is being given the chance to farm land on Cheshire's prestigious Tatton Estate.

Jack Ancell, 23, grew up in Mobberley, and became fascinated with the countryside around him.

He contacted local farmer Ian Norbury, who breeds Aberdeen Angus cows, to find out more but Ian initially replied to say Jack was at the time too young and warned that farms were "dangerous places".

But it did not put Jack off and, as he grew older, Ian gradually allowed him to work on the farm, which Jack described as a "one in a million opportunity".

Dairy Farm has been in Ian Norbury's family since 1963.

Jack said he knew he wanted to be farmer from an early age, and would always see Ian driving by.

Ian said: "He was 10 when he wrote me the letter asking for a job, so of course I replied back saying you're far too young, you can't have a job.

"Obviously farms are really dangerous places so I replied to his letter saying that."

But he told him he could come down for one afternoon.

"And from that one afternoon I never left I suppose," Jack joked.

He has since worked side by side with Ian and made important decisions to develop the business.

Ian said: "It's really important to bring new blood into farming.

"With the other stuff I've done I've met loads of people from non-farming backgrounds who've done really well and inspired me.

"He's a breath of fresh air, he's got some great ideas that he's brought to the farm."

Speaking about his new venture on the Tatton Estate, Jack said: "Hopefully it will be a great opportunity to deliver some environmental positives and look after areas of great natural beauty in Cheshire."

Jack, the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, said there were plenty of opportunities for people looking to get into farming like he was.

He said joining Young Farmers clubs was a good start, and many farmers wanted to help the next generation.

Jack will be attending the Royal Cheshire County Show along with farmers from all generations, which is taking place at Clay House Farm in Knutsford.

Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.