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Last broadcast on Fri, 29 May 2009, 02:20 on BBC One (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury head for Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland to examine why strong tidal currents make it the perfect location for a tidal energy scheme.
The generator, which is celebrating its first anniversary, now provides power for 1,000 homes. Although initially opposed by conservationists, it has resulted in unprecedented levels of research on seal and porpoise populations as the effects of this renewable energy scheme are monitored. The lough is also rich in shellfish, and Julia helps to cook and catch a seafood platter while Matt takes to a canoe to explore some of Strangford's 120 islands.
Elsewhere, John Craven investigates whether the latest scientific technology could help us feed ourselves if we had to become more self-sufficient in food production and, down on the farm, Adam Henson prepares his rare breed animals to star in a movie blockbuster. Katie
Knapman marks the 50th anniversary of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society with a journey along Kent's River Medway, plus we see what happened when schoolchildren from Hackney in London travelled to a Pembrokeshire farm to find out how their food is produced.
Strangford Lough
Countryfile visits Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, which as Matt discovers, is the site of a unique source of renewable energy. The lough – which is the biggest sea inlet in the British Isles – has a very fast tidal flow at its entrance which means it is the perfect place to put a turbine which can provide electricity for a thousand homes. It’s part of a five-year trial.
Environmental impact
Strangford Lough is an important wildlife habitat so the decision to locate a generator there wasn’t without controversy. An independent committee was set up to top monitor the scheme and it has provided an unprecedented opportunity for researchers to study marine wildlife. Scientists from Scotland’s St Andrew’s University are monitoring the seals that use the lough, while colleagues from Queens University Belfast keep a careful watch on the seabed.
Report on environmental monitoring, liason and consultation concerning the Strangford Lough turbine
Seafood
The lough is teeming with seafood so Julia joins a fisherman as he checks his pots for lobsters and crabs before sampling it herself in the kitchen of an award winning local chef.
Canoe trail
One of the best ways to explore the lough is by taking to the water and Matt tries out a new canoe trail. He paddles out to Salt Island which is one of the larger islands in the south of the Lough.
Aquarium
The aquarium on the banks of Strangford Lough gives visitors a chance to sea the rich marine life that lives beneath its surface. Matt and Julia join the team as they source jellyfish, crabs and shrimps to restock the exhibition tanks.
Food Security
We rely heavily on food produced abroad but climate change and population growth means other countries may soon be unable to supply what we need. When these factors are combined with our reliance on ever dwindling supplies of gas and oil, and less available agricultural land, our food supplies look increasingly vulnerable. As technology progresses at a lightning rate, John Craven asks could science hold the answer to our future food security?
City kids in the country
This week Countryfile follows a group of children from an inner-city primary school as they get their first taste of country life. The youngsters are taken to a farm in the remote Welsh countryside where they find they are expected to feed the pigs and hens, dig thistles and generally get their hands very dirty.
Adam’s Farm
Each Sunday Countryfile visits Adam Henson on his Cotswolds family farm to find out what life is really like for the working farmer. Adam’s rare breed animals star in films, television programmes and commercials and this week Adam is training some of his Longhorn cattle to act like oxen before, they head off to the set of a feature film.
Paddle Steamers
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, set up to renovate and protect the only two paddle steamers in Britain. Katie Knapman visits one of them, the Kingswear Castle, moored in Chatham Historic Dockyard on the banks of the River Medway in Kent.
Credits
- Presenter
- Julia Bradbury
- Presenter
- Matt Baker
- Presenter
- John Craven
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
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