Reuben Owen: Christmas in the Dales - 'We still need to do all the farm work but it's nice to spend time together'

The nation has watched Our Yorkshire Farm star Reuben grow up with his eight siblings on their remote hill farm where Christmases were always busy – and this year is no exception for him.

Reuben and his girlfriend Jess want to spend their first Christmas together and in this festive episode, the young business owner is planning a yuletide party at Jess’s farm to thank family and friends for all of their support with his workload this year.

Before they can celebrate though, Reuben and his workmates Sonny and Capper, helped by Jess’s dad David, have a massive barn renovation project to take on. And while building work is going on Reuben and Jess rear a flock of turkey chicks and must save the day when their festive feast flies off.

Meanwhile, Sonny and Sidney, Reuben’s younger brother, are forced to fell a Christmas tree by hand when the chainsaw is forgotten… and then drag it back to the car across a field full of turnips. And when the celebrations finally begin, Santa makes a special guest appearance on a tractor-towed sleigh to bring glad tidings to one and all.

Here, Reuben speaks about the show, and celebrating Christmas:

You’ve been put in charge of installing new paving slabs in a barn owned by your girlfriend’s family with the goal of then having a Christmas party for all your workers. Tell us more.

It was an old barn and it had been a building where cows had been kept. Over the years, it didn’t eventually have a very good floor, and so we put the floor back to how it would have been originally. We then organised a party for everyone. I’ve really enjoyed making the programme. It has been nice to have a bit of time with everyone and have a different project on. We are all very busy but it was nice to come together and do this project for Christmas.

As well as the flooring, you were even tasked with rearing your own turkeys…

Yes I’ve never had a lot to do with turkeys, but that is Jess’ speciality – working with animals. She and her family have looked after turkeys but for this programme, Jess and I were put in charge of trying to keep them in the pen!

Was it quite hair-raising? Did any escape?

They are always escaping. We spend a lot of time chasing the turkeys.

You have gone to town for the Christmas special by even making a makeshift nativity…

Yes, we thought as it was Christmas time and it only happens once a year, we wanted to give it a good go. Luckily Jess had a lot of quiet animals she could get in the shed. She didn’t have a donkey but she managed to improvise and we got one sorted.

Do you have any other surprises lined up?

There’s a Santa surprise too and I dressed as a helper. Jess’ family were very good at sorting (the food things) too and Diane (her nana) helped make Damson gin, which was all picked from her farm. It was really nice. They did an incredible job. It’s probably the hardest bit and I am no chef. I can make cornflakes but I don’t think I could make Christmas dinner or Damson gin - they are an incredible bunch. I couldn’t manage what they do.

Has it been nice to involve Jess’ family in this Christmas programme?

Yes it has been really lovely with Jess and her family involved. They are such a great bunch. I am not very good with decorations but Jess and her family are absolutely brilliant. I just supply the tractors where they are needed.

It sounds like things are going from strength to strength with you and Jess. Are you happy together?

Yes she is brilliant. She is working flat out with her dairy farming, helping me where she can and she still manages to find time to even do things like make me an amazing birthday cake earlier this year. And then still milk 80 cows. She is so brilliant.

How will you be spending Christmas?

Just because it is Christmas Day, we still need to do all the farm work. But it will be a team effort to get it done in time. Christmas is a big thing in our house. It’s nice to spend time with everyone and have a nice time together.

What has been your favourite ever Christmas present?

I got tools when I was a kid. But I once got a wood saw and cut my fingers. I also once got an old, ancient Land Drive. I have still got it. It is antique and one of the presents I can really remember.

Are your parents proud of what you have achieved?

Yes, they are very supportive. I don’t class myself as a ‘TV star’ but if people want to watch the programme and learn more about what we do, then that’s great. I enjoy doing what I am doing and it’s great to show the work we do with the diggers and what that entails.

Your programme has been brilliant in showing what young people do in rural communities, how many are often tinkering with tractors and working hard on the farms. You must be very pleased with the positive reaction…

The series went really well and it’s nice a lot of people tuned in to watch what we get up to. I never thought that people would be as interested and so it has been nice that people can see what we do.

And finally, is it nice to show and inspire young people your age that you can have a trade, set up your own business and you don’t have to be stuck behind a computer?

It is one of the best things about it. I talk to a lot of younger people who are interested and if my programme inspires people to give it a go, then that’s good. This is the message I can convey.

- Reuben Owen: Christmas in the Dales airs on Channel 5 on Tuesday, December 16 at 8pm.