DURING Sunday’s episode of Countryfile presenter Tom Heap was left overwhelmed after an emotional conversation with a Ukrainian farm worker.
The latest episode of Countryfile took viewers to rural areas in Hampshire and Staffordshire where presenters met several Ukrainian refugees.
Countryfile presenter Tom Heap visits Staffordshire fruit farm
Tom Heap spoke to Ukrainian refugee Grigori in heart-wrenching scenes
Tom was visibly moved when Grigori had to step away to compose himself
Last night’s episode focused on uncovering how local communities in Hampshire and Staffordshire had come together to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees.
The entire episode was emotional, as it concentrated on the impact the Ukrainian war has had on thousands of people, but it was Tom Heap’s conversation with refugee farm worker Grigori that was utterly heart-wrenching.
Tom, 57, visited Dearnsdale Fruit Farm in Staffordshire where he met Grigori, who is responsible for irrigating the fruit.
Before speaking to the farm worker, Tom explained to viewers that foreign workers are vital for the British berry industry. Nearly 8,000 tonnes of berries rotted in 2021 because there weren’t enough pickers. Historically, it’s Ukrainians who make up the bulk of the workforce, he noted.
Grigori had planned to be part of that workforce. He was supposed to come to the UK with his wife Valeria on a six-month visa which would allow them to work in horticulture.
They were due to leave on February 28, but Russia invaded Ukraine four days earlier. Then suddenly, they didn’t have the choice to come to the UK anymore, Grigori told Tom emotionally before apologising. “Sorry!” he said, before stepping away.
When he returned, Grigori explained that a medical blood pressure condition prevented him from fighting in the war, but he and his wife helped their country as much as they could.
“I help my city how I can. We built protection buildings and when we built this protection walls, we heard a lot of explosions, but we not stop,” he explained.
Grigori and Valeria had to flee their home early on in the war because it was in Southern Ukraine, one of the first places to be attacked.
They finally reached the UK in May, after months living through the war, but leaving Ukraine was hard for them.
“This was our decision to come here and to leave my parents,” Grigori said. “Every day the situation can change, but this war will not stop tomorrow and I must support them from here.”
The farm worker was overwhelmed speaking to Tom about his parents, saying he wakes up every day hoping to get a message from them that they are safe. He was so emotional that he had to take a moment to collect his thoughts.
Tom was also visibly moved by the heart-wrenching conversation he had with Grigori. “It’s agonising … he’s so brave,” he said when the farm worked stepped away.
Grigori returned to leave viewers with a final message for Countryfile viewers. “Don’t forget about the war in Ukraine,” he said. “This is very important. Don’t forget.”
BBC hosts Margarita Taylor, Matt Baker and Adam Henson were also front and centre in Sunday’s episode. They met Ukrainian refugees, uncovered how the New Forest community has supported refugees, and examined the impact the Ukrainian war has had on the country’s agriculture.
Countryfile airs on Sundays on BBC One at 5:45pm.
