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The South Downs National Park
This week Matt and Julia are in the South Downs which has just been designated as a national park after a 60 year campaign by local people. They explore what impact this will have on those who live there. Many people are happy that the rural landscape and wildlife will be better protected but not everyone is pleased with the change. The vast majority of the South Downs is farmland and farmers are concerned that the change will mean tighter planning regulations and more red tape.
South Downs Joint Committee website -
White Cliffs
Matt explores the coastal part of the new national including the famous white cliffs which stretch along the south east coast from Seaford Head to Beachy Head. The cliffs retain their clean white face because the sea’s eroding them at the rate of up to half a metre a year, constantly exposing the fresh layers of chalk. But cliff erosion isn't all bad news as Matt finds out.
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Wood Cutter
Julia meets a woodcutter who makes a living in the woodland in which he lives. She sees him carry out traditional crafts such as hurdle making.
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Nordic Walking
Walking with poles – or Nordic walking – is one of the fastest growing forms of exercise. It offers an all-over body work out and is said to use 20 per cent more energy than normal walking. Matt and Julia give it a go on a walk to the Long Man of Wilmington – sometimes said to be the original Nordic walker.
Nordic Walking -
Fishing
As the European Union starts to the re-think our fisheries policy, John Craven investigates why current rules mean that for every cod we eat, another one is thrown dead back into the sea. Fishermen say they should be allowed to land everything they catch, while environmental campaigning organisation WWF wants vast tracts of the sea to be declared fishing-free zones.
New Under Ten Fishermen's Association website -
Adam’s Farm
Every Sunday Countryfile finds out about real life on the land with Adam Henson on his Cotswolds family farm. This week he’s been vaccinating his animals against the bluetongue disease. Many farmers fear that as the weather warms up this deadly disease could strike the UK once again to devastating effect.
DEFRA: Information on bluetongue -
Watermill
Mildred Cookson has spent the last 28 years of her life grinding out a living as the miller at Mapledurham watermill in Berkshire. As the only female water miller in the UK, she keeps an ancient craft alive at the last working watermill on the River Thames.
Mapledurham Country Estate website -
Hay fever
Plant expert James Wong finds out how hay fever can ruin the summer for some sufferers and demonstrates how to make a traditional remedy - nettle tea.
Allergy UK: Hay fever
Credits
- Participant
- Matt Baker
- Participant
- Julia Bradbury
- Participant
- John Craven
- Participant
- Adam Henson
- Participant
- James Wong
