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Last broadcast on Fri, 13 Nov 2009, 02:05 on BBC One (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Matt Baker and Jules Hudson explore the area around Lavenham in Suffolk to find out how the US Air Force has shaped this part of the world over the last 60 years. The programme's resident farmer Adam Henson takes his barley to the brewery and John Craven looks at ways that vital services, like local shops and pubs, can be preserved in our rural villages. In Scotland, Katie Knapman helps to plant some native trees as part of a project to create the country's largest broad-leaved woodland.
Suffolk
This week Matt and Jules are in Suffolk to find out about the impact of World War Two on the county and to meet one of our rarest breeds of horse.
Lavenham Airfield
When war broke out, the east of England became a prime location for airfields because it was a perfect gateway to Europe. Jules finds out what life would have been like on one airfield, which has since been returned to farm land.
Ickworth House
During the Second World War the 'Dig for Victory' campaign led to many public spaces and private estates being used for food production. Jules heads off to meet some school children who are helping to recreate the Dig for Victory campaign on the Ickworth Estate.
Alpacas
Matt’s at a farm that is home to an animal more closely associated with the Andes than the British countryside – the alpaca. He gets to grips with the best way to care for them and meets one lady who bought alpacas to guard her chickens.
Suffolk Punch
The Suffolk Punch Horse was once famous for its use in agriculture but after the Second World War, the population declined and it’s now endangered. Matt visits one farmer who hopes to keeps the breed going.
Vintage aircraft
In the thirties, American engineers attempted to find the best lightweight alloys with which to construct their aircraft. Meanwhile, British pilots spent their time training in planes made of wood and Irish linen. Jules meets one of a small number of vintage aircraft restorers in the country who can give us the inside track on both methods of aircraft construction.
Dying villages: Part one
Around six hundred rural pubs and shops are closing each year. They are focal points for the community, so if they go the village can quickly become a weekend retreat and dormitory for commuters. Organisations such as the Pub is the Hub - which was initiated by the Prince of Wales, are fighting back and helping communities to keep these vital resources alive, but in a hostile financial climate can they succeed? John Craven investigates.
Adam's Farm
This year Adam had a great barley harvest, but the quality wasn’t what he’d hoped for - only part of it was suitable to be malted for beer. In an effort to get better results next year, he’s planted a different variety, and based on the success of his new crop, he’s already lined up a traditional maltster to buy it. Adam visits a local brewery where he hopes his malt will end up next year.
The Great Trossachs Forest
An alliance of conservation groups is working to create the biggest broadleaf woodland in Scotland - the Great Trossachs Forest. This vast project will eventually stretch from Loch Lomond in the West to the town of Callander, more than 20 miles to the East. Two million trees have to be planted to complete it, so at the moment it's a work in progress. Katie Knapman lends a hand and she finds out how Highland cattle play a key role in regenerating the woodland.
Credits
- Presenter
- Matt Baker
- Presenter
- Jules Hudson
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
- Presenter
- John Craven
- Presenter
- Katie Knapman
- Producer
- Teresa Bogan
- Executive Producer
- Andrew Thorman
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