Shropshire: Romanian family looking for farm work face challenges

Claudia and Aurel Cristea, together with they six-year-old daughter, moved to London over eight years ago, and are now looking to go back to their farming roots, but they have not had much luck with finding a place.

The family comes from a farming background in Galati, and they would really love to bring up their daughter in the countryside.

Claudia explained: “We love the countryside, and our daughter is so excited to be around animals and nature, it’s just the natural step for us.

“We fell in love with Shropshire and the Mid Wales area around five to six years ago and we return every year.

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“Now we have decided to move here, and we want to start up farming again.”

While looking for houses the Cristea family have asked local farmers if they needed any help, or if they have a few acres of grazing land to rent and to start raising sheep.

“Many of the ones who answered us were not very receptive to our requirements, and some didn’t bother to answer the door when we knocked to speak with them”, she added.

The couple also tried to apply to a few council farms in Wales but have not been shortlisted.

Claudia and Aurel's six year old daughter (Image: Claudia Cristea)

Claudia explained: “We applied, and they told us we needed more machinery and animals to be placed with a farm.

“But we have nowhere to keep them in London, so we need a place to start from the ground up.”

The couple also believes that many young people nowadays are not interested in farming and are looking to move to big cities.

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They added: “We are coming from a busy city, London, and we desire to relocate to a countryside area to get some land to start farming as if there are no farmers, there will be no food for the population.

“We are committed to collaborating with local farmers willing to give us some land to start farming, using sustainable farming practices, raising sheep, and offering our daughter the countryside life between animals and within the community spirit.

“We look forward to collaborating and are open to any advice or offer from the farmers.”