Ruth Archer star was 'humbled' by honorary degree from Shropshire university

One of Britain’s most well-known fictional farmers has described receiving an Honorary Degree from Harper Adams University in Shropshire as a ‘humbling’ moment.

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Felicity Finch – who plays Ruth Archer on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers – was given the degree in September as part of the University’s 125th anniversary celebrations – in the same year as The Archers celebrates its 75th year on air.

Her character first appeared in the series in 1987 – as a student from Harper Adams University.

An actress, producer and educator, Felicity has made many radio documentaries and features and her work has taken across the world, including spotlighting the long-term effects of the 1994 genocide on women’s lives in Rwanda; examining how radio drama can communicate vital information to listeners in Peshawar, Albania and Cambodia and Rwanda; and training actors and directors in Afghanistan.

Speaking of receiving her degree at the Newport-based university, she said: “To be receiving this award as part of the celebrations is a huge honour.

“It is also humbling to know that what I do day to day as my fictitious character Ruth – co-running Brookfield Farm, primarily a dairy farm in the fictitious village of Ambridge, conjuring a world which listeners feel connected to and invested in - is a world which some of you will be, and many of you are actually working in – either directly or indirectly, for real!”

The Archers has kept listeners entranced since its first broadcast on New Year’s Day, 1951. The show retains agricultural advisors to ensure it is reflecting changes in farming methods and practices - and its crews have visited Harper Adams several times over the years to capture authentic farm sound effects and to glean the expertise of the institution’s experts.

Felicity said that part of the show’s appeal was this very real reflection of rural life.

She added: “The setting of The Archers – a village with several farms – could just be seen as a cosy backdrop the day-to-day goings on of the inhabitants, but listeners often express how interested they are in hearing what’s going agriculturally in the countryside. A friend of mine said to me recently ‘I’ve learned so much about cow management through Ruth!’

“Ruth, of course, learned so much as a student at Harper Adams back in the 1980s. I know she feels lucky to have studied there – she tells me that, we’re very close!”

Turning to the modern-day institution, Felicity added: “I find the breadth of study available to students today here phenomenal.

“I know one of the roles you have been – and continue to - focus on is supporting the agri-food sector in facing the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population, ensuring it has access to nutritious food which has been sustainably produced, processed and distributed.

“I see you signed an exciting collaborative agreement with Lincoln University in New Zealand, establishing a strategic international partnership: and, in contrast, I note that there is an inspiring, ground-breaking new PhD by an award-winning researcher drawing on her own lived experience, and that of an ever-growing rural network. of neurodivergence in agriculture.

“Hopefully, this will help neurodivergent individuals to enter and to succeed in farming careers."

“So you can see why it is humbling – here am I, pretending to be a farmer – OK, hopefully increasing the public’s interest in the life of a farmer – and here you are - doing it for real!”

Harper Adams University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said: “Through the character of Ruth, Felicity has illuminated the many issues, challenges, and positive experiences of rural life, farming and food production.

“Felicity has undertaken extensive visits to rural communities in many countries to galavanise support and to raise awareness. Her advocacy for women has been a consistent priority.

“It was a pleasure to spend time with Felicity and to see how much support she received from her audience in the room.”