George Grant, 20, from Wragby village near Lincoln has been named as Britain’s Sexiest Farmer 2015.
George was one of the youngest in the final five male candidates in the competition run by Farmers Weekly, after being nominated by his girlfriend Lucy.
George, known to many as ‘Granty’, is an arable lad, farming with his dad near Market Rasen. Alongside their own arable business, they contract-farm sugar beet. Photo: Farmers Weekly
Together with sexiest female Lizi Clubby, 27, from Yorkshire, the pair beat off hundreds of entries and were awarded their crowns after 15,000 votes were cast.
The nation-wide competition was backed by fashion guru and TV star Gok Wan, who helped whittle the entries down to the final 10 – the overall winners were then decided by a public vote.
George, otherwise known as ‘Granty’, works as an arable farmer with his dad near Market Rasen. Alongside their own arable business, they contract-farm sugar beet.
In his spare time, he’s a regular at the gym and Wragby YFC gatherings. He’s a big fan of rugby and used to be a flanker or a hooker in his local team, but more recently has begun horse riding under the tuition of girlfriend Lucy.
The workshop is one of George’s favourite places on the farm and he says he picked up the trait from his 84-year-old great uncle who lives on the farm and restores vintage tractors.
Photo: Farmers Weekly
He said: “One of my earliest memories is spending days on the sugar beet harvester with Dad. We’d be out from 6 ‘til 6 some days.
“I used to mould mud into shapes and look out for any red beet that I’d then jump out and pick up. When I got tired, I used to curl up on the floor, a bit like a dog, because there was a heater under Dad’s seat.
“It is different every single day. And even when you’re doing the same job, something about it will be different.
“I couldn’t sit in an office. I like to see what’s going on outside and I like the changes throughout the year, the variety of seasonal work.”
Guest competition judge Gok Wan, said: “George is tall, dark and classically handsome, with a rather sultry look. He’s got a wicked sense of humour and his love of farming really shines through. I’d happily spend a day on a sugar beet harvester with this young farmer!
“As for Lizi, she’s a natural stunner. With her fabulous hourglass figure, she can even looks gorgeous in overalls. Her fiancée is a lucky fella!
“Frankly the pair of them make me want to pull on my wellies and get right out there!”
Farmers Weekly’s Farm Life Editor, Tim Relf added: “Lizi and George really wowed the judges – they’re hard-working, passionate about farming and great advocates for the countryside. Their dynamism and determination to carve themselves careers in agriculture is inspiring.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: