Guilsfield Show

Ion Trant, who farmed in Welshpool, devised, filmed, edited and scripted the BBC "Country Close-up" series (1956-1962) for children. This edition, broadcast 5/9/1961, shows all the fun of a country fair (preparations, parades of horses and cattle in the ring, displays of needlecraft, cakes and jams and garden produce) and the enemy of such events - heavy rain – which here results in the cancellation of the intended show jumping/gymkhana.

Ion Trant was born and brought up on Dovea Farm, Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. He farmed at Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool (plus adjoining farm, Cefn Du, and a Radnorshire hill farm, Esgairdraenllwyn), with his wife, Janet (nee Owen). Ion felt that there was an emerging gulf between town and country and welcomed school visits to his farm. His "Country Close-Up" series often featured his own farms and his three children, David, Rosemary and Clare. As a result of this series, Ion was regularly engaged as a freelance cameraman on the BBC's weekly farming programme and he also ventured further afield e.g. with George Cansdale [field naturalist and erstwhile Superintendent of London Zoo] to Palestine and Israel.