Solley’s Farms to star in BBC tv series
Kent ice cream experts feature in TV series produced by BBC and British Council.
It was a case of ‘Lights, Camera, ACTION!’ at Solley’s Farms in Deal last week, as the family-run dairy opened their doors to a camera crew from the BBC, giving a special insight into the process of making real Kentish dairy ice cream.
The crew was filming for the latest series of ‘Word on the Street’; an education and learning series designed to help overseas viewers develop their English language skills and learn about British culture and heritage. Produced jointly by BBC World and the British Council, the programme is watched by 40 million people in 40 countries worldwide.
Each half-hour episode has a different theme, and Solley’s Farms was approached as an ideal location for an upcoming episode about farming and the British countryside.
The finished programme will follow the ice cream production process, beginning with the milk arriving at the dairy from the jersey herd on a neighbouring farm, and ending with the presenter Joe Tidy enjoying a blind taste test of the delicious end result.
Director Ian Prince commented: “We were particularly interested in filming at Solley’s Farms because of their commitment to using locally-sourced ingredients, and their location on the beautiful Kent coast. Word on the Street is all about giving our viewers around the world an insight into Britain’s unique culture and heritage; hopefully in a light-hearted and interesting way.”
Managing director of Solley’s Farms, Stephen Solley, commented: “We’re extremely proud of the quality and provenance of our ice cream, and to have that message – and the Solley’s name – beamed out to 40 million people around the world is wonderful.”
Stephen jokes: “The production team were particularly interested in our 1970s vintage Morrison’s ice cream van, as it’s so quintessentially British; maybe we could take it on a road trip around the world and give their overseas viewers a real taste of Kent!”
The episode of Word on the Street featuring Solley’s Farms is set to air next year on BBC World.
For more information on Solley’s ice cream or to order, visit www.solleysicecream.co.uk or call 01304 374100