Jeremy Clarkson rushes to open Cotswolds pub with associate Lisa Hogan
It was all hands on deck as Jeremy Clarkson rushed to open his Cotswolds pub to make the most of the summer sun this week.
Jeremy, his partner Lisa Hogan and scores of cast and crew from Amazon’s Clarkson’s Farm spent all of Wednesday renovating The Windmill and moving in new furniture, ready for an imminent opening.
Clarkson could be seen in his usual faded jeans and oversized shirt, holding court as the cameras rolled in the beating sun on a vast new decking area at the back of the pub he reportedly bought for £1m near Burford in the Cotswolds.
Throughout the day, workmen finished decking and worked on the bar and interior of the pub while Lisa humped wooden chairs, leather-bound stools in green and purple and long low tables from waiting trucks in the carpark of the pub as the cameras continued to roll.
These images show Clarkson’s new pub venture is very much a part of his hit Amazon show Clarkson’s Farm, currently filming its fourth series.
It was all hands on deck as Jeremy Clarkson rushed to open his Cotswolds pub to make the most of the summer sun this week
Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan was on hand throughout the day supervising all aspects of the work
Lisa’s close friendship with one of the show’s stars, farmer and security officer Gerald Cooper, who has become a hit with viewers, was clear as she hugged him warmly
Clarkson could be seen pontificating to Gerald with his arms flailing on the decking of the pub
The Windmill is just 12 miles from Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm and its famous farm shop.
Scores of cameramen, producers, directors, boom operators and even drone pilots filled the pub and its carpark from 10am right through until late in the day.
Lisa’s close friendship with one of the show’s stars, farmer and security officer Gerald Cooper, who has become a hit with viewers, was clear as she hugged him warmly when he arrived on the location set for filming.
Later, Clarkson could be seen pontificating to Gerald with his arms flailing on the decking of the pub while cameras captured every angle.
In the late afternoon, Clarkson spent time in the pub car park trying to lift a large metal storage container with a crane, again, as hoards of camera men and producers swarmed around the action.
While an expert might have done the job in a few moments, Clarkson spent almost two hours behind the wheel of the crane, constantly taking orders over a walkie talkie as he struggled to drive the machine.
The heat of the day was clearly too much for Lisa. She started off the day looking elegant in black shades and dungarees but ended it with a wet tea-towel wrapped around her head to keep her cool.
The couple plan to operate the pub (pictured) as a separate business to their Diddly Squat farm
Clarkson spent hours in the car park trying to lift a large metal storage container with a crane
The television presenter, 64, paid ‘less than £1million’ for the pub in June
Clarkson’s partner Lisa showed a willingness to get her hands dirty by moving furniture inside
Lisa (pictured) was seen renovating The Windmill and moving in new furniture
The entire process was filmed by an Amazon TV crew for the next series of the hit show
Workers were seen fixing an old tiled roof on the grounds of the pub
Back in June, Clarkson bought the freehold to the pub and it isn’t tied to a brewery, so he can realise his dream of selling his own beer and produce from his farm at the venue.
Jackie Walker, 79, who opened the pub in 1983, hadn’t even put the pub on the market – and was stunned to be told of Clarkson’s interest which accelerated into a finalised deal within minutes of their meeting.
Jackie explained: ‘A film crew had come into the pub and the next thing I knew someone with Clarkson knocked on the door and asked if I was interested in selling.’
She was invited to meet with Clarkson at his home in the nearby village of Chadlington where his farm Diddly Squat is based to discuss possible terms.
She said: ‘The first thing Jeremy said to me was I suppose you want a lot of money for this.’
He then made her an immediate offer that was much more than she had expected – and she accepted immediately.
Jackie recalled: ‘It did make me laugh, but that is Jeremy Clarkson.’
She went on: ‘We had met for coffee at his house, and I took over the maps of the place. He and his partner Lisa were charming, and I really liked them.
‘I had not been planning to sell the place, but I wasn’t that happy with how it was being run and I am not getting any younger.’
While it seemed all to be all-hands-on-deck, Clarkson’s right-hand man and Diddly Squat Farm manager Kaleb Cooper was nowhere to be seen at the pub.
Kaleb posted a rare health update on Wednesday after his mystery hospital dash.
Clarkson spent almost two hours behind the wheel of the crane, constantly taking orders over a walkie talkie as he struggled to drive the machine
Once the pub is fully refurbished the couple intend to run it in the same manner they operate their Diddly Squat shop, with produce from the farm
The Windmill is just 12 miles from Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm making it an easy commute for Lisa and Jeremy
Clarkson’s right-hand man Kaleb Cooper posted a rare health update on Wednesday after his mystery hospital dash
The farmer, 26, shared with his followers a new health kick he is giving a go after some woes earlier this month.
At the time he didn’t say why he was in hospital but shared a selfie on the ward looking a little unwell.
He wrote in the caption: ‘I must say I have grown a disliking to being sat in hospitals. Think I’m growing a fear of them.’
And since the hospital dash he has now revealed that he is no longer eating sugar to improve his health.
Season four of Clarkson’s Farm is scheduled to be out next summer.
