Clips
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Windsor Great Park
This week Julia explores the epic Royal Landscape of Windsor Great Park. Stretching for thousands of acres and spilling across two counties this estate takes dedicated management and intense upkeep. Julia joins Graham Sanderson from the Crown Estate on a tour of the site starting at its most famous vista - the long walk. The survival of the estate’s ancient oaks is vital to the ecosystem and Julia sees essential maintenance around a remarkable 800 year old specimen. In the Valley Gardens she visits the national collection of rhododendron whilst it’s invasive cousin, rhododendron ponticum, is being vigorously cleared in order to restore other areas of the park. Age old methods of cultivation are still being practiced in the Savill Garden where Julia meets Harvey Stephens (pictured above) to find out why grafting plants is vital to ensuring the survival of rarer species.
Click here to learn more about the estate -
Jules Joins the Light Cavalry
Windsor has a long and rich military background with both the Irish Guards and Household Cavalry still resident in the town today. Jules visits a lesser known branch of the Honourable Artillery Company, the Light Cavalry. This voluntary unit primarily has a ceremonial role but this week take the opportunity to show off their historic skill at arms. Jules tries his hand at ‘tent pegging’ – an equestrian game which involves a mounted horseman riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up, and carry away a small ground target. Jules quickly discovers it is not as easy as it looks especially when wearing full military uniform.
The Light Cavalry -
Matt tries Roller Skiing
Originally developed as a means of training out of season and off snow for Cross Country ski disciplines, roller skiing has taken off as a sport in its own right. After initial misunderstanding of the task in hand Matt gets kitted up and, with the help of instructor Iain Ballentine, is soon whizzing around the smooth access roads that circle Dorney Lake. He also meets Shropshire teenager Fern Cates – a double British cross country skiing champion who’s an expert at roller skiing.
What roller skiing is all about -
Matt Meets British Ski Champion
Matt meets 15-year-old Fern Cates who uses roller skiing to train for her favourite cross country ski events.
Read more about Fern here -
Boat building on the Thames
The river Thames has a rich and illustrious history. In the late 19th Century there were hundreds of boat builders along its banks, hand crafting exquisite vessels using time-honoured methods. Now there is only a handful. Julia is welcomed into the family workshop of Peter Freebody and Company at Hurley in Berkshire to see how they are keeping the love of traditional craft alive by hand-building and restoring a vast range of beautiful boats. First-time boat owner Lawrence Green introduces Julia to his magnificent Venetian water taxi whilst she selects for herself one of the most decadent vessels in the Freebody collection.
Click here to learn more about the history of boat building on the Thames -
Exploring an Olympic Venue
Dorney Lake is a purpose built rowing and canoeing lake owned by nearby Eton College. Selected as one of only nine Olympic venues outside of the M25, preparation for the 2012 Games is already well underway and Matt joins the men’s GB Sprint Kayak team to find out how their training is coming along. Olympic medallist Paul Darby-Dowman teaches Matt the skill and technique required to propel the impressive and narrow K2 vessel through the water.
Click here to learn more about the GB canoeing team -
John Craven Investigates: Food Fraud
It might be advertised as local, fresh, organic or home-made - but how do we know it is? John Craven learns the language of those who try to kid us that the food we're buying is something that it isn't. He employs the help of chef Mark Hougham (pictured above) from the Castle Inn in Bungay in Suffolk. Mark cooks up some 'local' Suffolk pies - then takes to the streets with John to find out if the public know what 'local' really is.
All About Food Fraud
Credits
- Series Producer
- Teresa Bogan
- Presenter
- Matt Baker
- Presenter
- Julia Bradbury
- Presenter
- Jules Hudson
- Presenter
- John Craven
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
- Executive Producer
- Andrew Thorman
