The former Blue Peter presenter joined Jenny Connor, who moved to Dalton Moor Farm in 1992, to learn more about how she had been trying to restore the landscape and increase wildlife in the area. She took Matt Baker on a tour of her 24 acres of land, offering him vegan honey and inviting him to join in with wassailing in her orchard. Unfortunately for the Countryfile host, he seemed slightly embarrassed by what he was asked to do.
When he first arrived, Matt learned about the fruit hedges which was grown to attract wildlife and also be harvested.
Jenny was using the fruit to make vegan “hunny” which Matt was invited to make and taste.
Using berries, which are mildly toxic when eaten raw, they boiled a mixture which was supposed to taste like real honey.
Once Matt’s batch was cooling, he trialled the flavour and admitted he was pleasantly surprised by the taste.
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“You know there are flavours of honey,” Matt exclaimed. “Oh, it’s got real depth to it. Like a vintage flavour. That’s delicious.”
He praised Jenny “well done” before going on to explain to viewers tradition is very important on the farm.
Matt was invited to help out with “an ancient winter tradition called wassailing”.
“I’m not entirely sure what I’m letting myself in for,” Matt remarked as he watched Jenny prepare the afternoon’s activities.
As his time with Jenny came to an end, he took off his leafy wreath and laughed at what he’d been roped into doing.
“That was fun, I just hope none of my mates are watching,” Matt sighed before rushing off.
Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to comment on the segment and joke about Matt’s reactions.
Sarah Lee posted: “I wonder whether Matt would be quite so sarcastic if he was taking part in an organised religious ceremony rather than wassailing the apple trees!? #countryfile.”