Minette Batters

Desert Island Discs

Minette Batters is the first woman to become President of the National Farmers' Union, representing 47,000 members. She was first elected to the post in 2018 for two years, and was re-elected in March 2020. Minette runs a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire. The mixed farming business includes cattle, sheep and arable, as well as the conversion of a 17th century barn into a wedding and events venue.

Her father was a tenant farmer, and Minette adored helping him as a youngster, but the idea of taking on the farm herself seemed out of the question: her father strongly advised against it. Instead she took a Cordon Bleu course, graduated with distinction and ran her own catering business for 20 years. When her father retired, the lure of the land pulled her back and she took on the tenancy in 1998, despite the misgivings of many of her friends. Her campaigns on behalf of farmers include the initiatives Ladies in Beef and the Great British Beef Week. This year she has represented the views of NFU members during the Covid-19 crisis and the Brexit negotiations.

DISC ONE: Green Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones DISC TWO: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers DISC THREE: Antonio Vivaldi: Spring From The Four Seasons: 1. Allegro by Nigel Kennedy (violin) and English Chamber Orchestra DISC FOUR: Give A Little Bit by Supertramp DISC FIVE: Silent Night by The Salisbury Cathedral Choir, conducted by David Halls DISC SIX: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor DISC SEVEN: The Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler DISC EIGHT: I Vow To Thee My Country by Katherine Jenkins BOOK CHOICE: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury LUXURY ITEM: A loaf of bread CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Give A Little Bit by Supertramp

Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor