In the latest episode of Life in the Dales, Jess, the girlfriend of young farmer Reuben Owen, pays a touching tribute to her late grandfather, George, whose legacy continues to inspire their family. The show, which follows Reuben as he manages his family’s farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, also features Jess alongside Reuben, their friends Sonny and Capper, and Reuben’s siblings Sid and Miles.
As the episode aired on Tuesday, June 2, viewers witnessed the farm crew clearing fallen trees from a local church graveyard. During this reflective moment, Jess visited her grandfather’s resting place, sharing an intimate conversation with Reuben about the significance of family and community ties.
“I like doing these sorts of jobs, doing good for the community,” Reuben said, acknowledging the importance of their work. He pointed out to Jess, “Especially as it’s the local church, your farm is just up there, so quite a few of your family that you were very close to are here, aren’t they?”
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Jess replied softly, “Yeah, Grandad’s up there.” Reuben admitted, “Sadly, I never met him,” to which Jess responded, “No, he was a character.”
Later in the episode, Jess and her grandmother shared a heartfelt moment honoring George’s memory. Jess reflected, “Ever since I was small, we’ve always done jobs as a family. Nana has always been there helping out. I miss Grandad, I really do miss him. It’s not the same anymore since he died.”
George, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 70, was a dedicated farmer who inherited Brough Castle Farm at just 18 years old. He devoted his life to nurturing the farm as a family legacy for future generations.
Discussing her grandfather’s lasting influence, Jess told her Nana, “I think he’d be happy to see where it’s at now, things have carried on.”
Her grandmother agreed warmly, “You’ve taken over, it’s like passing on the baton, and he would have been thrilled to bits to see what you have done since he died. Hopefully, the next generation will pick up that baton and run with it like you have.”
Jess added, “He taught us and always involved us. He was happy to take me along and taught me everything.”
Her grandmother remarked fondly, “You’ve been steeped in it from birth really, there isn’t anything that you weren’t involved in.”
Remembering her grandfather’s encouragement, Jess said, “When he did something, he always encouraged you and was really proud when you did something.”
As the touching tribute concluded, Jess’s grandmother praised Reuben’s dedication, mentioning that George “would have been thrilled to bits” with his hard work.
Jess laughed, recalling a family saying about bringing home boys who can chop logs, “I think I’ve got the right one there, haven’t I?”
Life in the Dales, featuring Reuben Owen and his circle, airs Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 5, continuing to celebrate the resilience and heart of farming life in Yorkshire.