The Suffolk college which has taken the internet and social media by storm after releasing a rap music video based on the 1970s hit Combine Harvester has been “overwhelmed” by the response.
More than 20,000 people have viewed Easton and Otley College’s Combine Harvester remix on YouTube in the last two weeks.
Students and staff filmed their version of the 1976 number one by The Wurzels over the summer in a bid to make youngsters think farming is ‘cool’.
It has been retweeted on Twitter by both The Wurzels and celebrities including actor Stephen Fry, and Clare Dyble, director of marketing and enterprise at the college, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received.
“Part of our long term aim is to attract more young people towards farming and land-based careers to counteract skills shortfalls in industries such as agriculture, construction and horticulture.”
And the college hopes to have started a new social media craze by challenging people to take a ‘Scarecrow Selfie’. Six scarecrows made by the college have been scattered across the region.
Stephen Fry was one of the first to post a picture of himself with a scarecrow during a book signing in Norwich. When describing the scarecrow, he joked on Twitter: “An outstanding man in his field.”
The campaign, named The Final Straw, is also aimed at encouraging more young people to consider a career in farming and other land-based careers.
Mrs Dyble added: “We wanted both of these campaigns to be fun, interactive and engaging – the fact that people like Stephen Fry felt inspired to support us is brilliant news.
“He helps get our message out to a larger audience – he has over seven million followers on Twitter – and we are very grateful for his support.
“We are also very thankful of the amazing backing that we have had form East Anglian businesses and the general public in this region.”
To find out more about farming and other courses, visit an information day at the Otley campus between 4-7pm on Friday or 10am-2pm on Saturday, or visit: www.eastonotley.ac.uk
For more on The Final Straw campaign, visit our webpage
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