The smell of the crowd

IT MIGHT be seen as challenging as facing the crowd at the infamous Glasgow Empire in the 1920s – a daunting task for even the most seasoned performer – but we don't think the same fate will await Scottish comedian and farmer, Jim Smith, when he goes front stage in Oxford.

He is to take on the role of shaking up the great and the good at The Oxford Farming Conference's first-ever 'Comedy Night', next January.

It could well be the 'roar of the grease-paint and smell of the crowd' at the show – but, then again, it is renowned for attracting the more intellectual type of farmer, many of whom last milked a cow in 1974, so the smell might not be too bad!

He'll be appearing on the second night of the three-day event in the Old Fire Station, on Thursday, January 4.

The 39-year-old, who runs his own 300-acre mixed farm in Perthshire, has created a sensation on the comedy circuit with his sketches on the quirks of rural life and the realities of how those living in the country people see the world, from Brexit to scones. A recent sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival means he must be good.

Jim admits it could be tough gig: “There's nothing like a room full of farmers and farming experts to give you a hard time – but I am really looking forward to it and no doubt they will recognise some of the rural 'isms' I have to share, which are found countrywide.”

If things get bad, he can always hide behind his sister, Caroline Millar, who is the Oxford Farming Conference chair this year. She said: “I have no doubt that Jim’s sketches will appeal hugely to this audience and will be a great way to end the first full day of the conference.”