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Conservation
Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury are exploring the area around Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the British Isles and a powerful symbol of Scotland. Their visit is in celebration of one of this country’s unsung heroes, John Muir, who’s internationally credited with being the founder of modern conservation - and to discover what’s being done to preserve wild areas in his name.
John Muir Trust -
Mountain adventure activity
The landscape around the Nevis Range is perfect for a huge range of outdoor activities, so it’s no surprise that the area draws 2.5 million visitors every year. Down in the valleys it’s spring time but up near the summit of Aonach Mor, Julia makes her first ever ice climb while Matt learns about mountain survival skills. It’s important to be prepared because Lochaber Mountain Rescue say spring is their busiest time of the year with 30 calls for help.
Visit Fortwilliam: Ben Nevis
There are, however, plenty of activities that don’t require climbing to great heights and Julia and Matt take to the water to try out sea kayaking and white water rafting. -
Bees
Every week John Craven reports on the big stories making news in the countryside, and this week he investigates why nature’s number one pollinator is dying out. Honey bees are essential to food production, with one third of the average diet reliant on the work they do. Some experts point the finger at disease or the varroa mite for their demise. But other evidence suggests that pesticides may be playing a part in the recent worldwide drop in numbers. At the beginning of this year a major supermarket banned the use of a group of pesticides that have been linked by some researchers to bee deaths. However, the company that makes them and the Government insist they don’t pose a threat.
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Adam’s Farm
Every Sunday Countryfile finds out about the realities of life on the land with Adam Henson on his farm in the Cotswolds. This week he’s been testing his rare breed cattle for TB, a nerve-wracking time for any farmer.
DEFRA: TB in cattle -
Cumbrian Heavy Horses
At the start of the 19th Century there were an estimated one million heavy horses in the UK. But since the industrial revolution and the advent of the tractor their numbers have dwindled to around 6,000. Finding 21st Century uses for these animals is essential to keep the breeds alive and that is exactly what one riding school in Cumbria has set out to do. Jules Hudson took to the saddle to find out more.
Cumbrian Heavy Horses -
Driftwood Artist
Each week Countryfile turns the spotlight on you to find out about your country life. This week Devon driftwood artist Heather Jansh shows how she turns flotsam and jetsam into a series of breathtaking life-size sculptures.
Heather Jansch: Bronze and driftwood sculpture
Credits
- Presenter
- John Craven
- Presenter
- Julia Bradbury
- Presenter
- Matt Baker
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
- Presenter
- Jules Hudson
- Producer
- Teresa Brogan
