Popular TV presenter and countryside champion, Matt Baker MBE will return to Nottingham next week for a special ‘Evening With’ event hosted by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust – and the stalwart of programmes including Countryfile, The One Show and Blue Peter is looking forward to returning to a stomping ground which helped shape his future.
Speaking ahead of the event, which will take place at Nottingham’s Albert Hall on Tuesday 18th June, Matt said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Nottingham, a place I spent lots of happy times in my younger days visiting my girlfriend (now wife!) Nicola at university.
We would spend many weekends exploring the city’s surrounding countryside - in fact it was in Sherwood Forest where I asked her to marry me... so, Nottinghamshire was life changing for both of us!”
Matt, most recently seen on ‘Our Dream Farm’ on Channel 4, will be speaking about his passion for nature and the countryside and recounting tales from 25 years working in television on iconic shows including Blue Peter and Countryfile.
The event comes almost precisely 25 years since his debut on Blue Peter launched a stellar career which has seen Matt front a host of much loved programmes and go on to create his own series about issues that matter to him, such as farming and farming communities.
After seven years on Blue Peter, Matt had a successful stint on the popular The One Show. He has also presented Countryfile since 2009 – a show which provided Matt with the ideal platform to share his passion for farming and raise awareness of the power and beauty of nature as a source of joy and inspiration.
His book - A Year on Our farm: How the Countryside Made Me - is now a Sunday Times best seller which, alongside his own productions for C4 - Our Farm in The Dales, follows Matt’s life on his beloved family farm as he celebrates the natural year.
Speaking ahead of the visit Matt, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for chartable and voluntary services in relation to his work with BBC Children in Need said: “Hello – Matt Baker here. I’m so looking forward to speaking at Nottingham’s Albert Hall on June 18th - and to meeting everyone and the team from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. For tickets pop over to the Trust’s website – see you there.”
cr. Simon Dewhurst
Speaking about the event, The Trust’s Business & Operations Coordinator Beth Maples said: “Whether you’ve followed Matt’s TV appearances since his Blue Peter Days, share his love of the countryside or admire his amazing fundraising efforts, An evening with Matt Baker will provide an entertaining canter through his career and provide an insight into his passions.”
Now a Trustee of Children in Need, Matt’s 12 Rickshaw Challenge rides have covered more than 5000 miles across the UK – helping to raise a staggering £43million. Away from the bright lights of hosting our favourite television programmes, he is often in the company of his family, family dogs, his beloved sheep and host of wildlife in the farm’s ancient woodland.
All profits from An Evening with Matt Baker, which includes his talk, plus a Q&A session will support Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s countywide conservation work. Premium tickets include priority seating, a copy of Matt’s latest book and exclusive access to a meet and greet and book signing with Matt himself.
For details and to book tickets, visit our events page.
