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COUNTRYFILE PHOTO COMPETITION 2011: THE BIG REVEAL
On this week’s Countryfile Matt Baker and Ellie Harrison are on the Mawddach Estuary in Wales, where they will be revealing the winner of this year’s Countryfile Photographic Competition. The fifty-five thousand entries were whittled down to twelve final photos – all of which will feature in the Countryfile Calendar 2012. But there can be only one overall winner, and on this Sunday’s programme Matt and Ellie will reveal all.
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BONTDDU GOLD MINE
Ellie Harrison visits Gethin and Llewelyn Williams on their farm in Mid Wales to find out why it is so special. To discover more, Gethin and his father take her to a secluded entrance in the mountainside leading into their very own gold mine. Ellie finds out about the family’s gold mining history and a rather special royal link. She also learns about plans to re-open the mine. But, when Gethin leads her into the dark cold tunnels, will she strike gold?
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MATT TRAVELS FROM FAIRBOURNE TO BARMOUTH BY BOAT AND TRAIN
Matt Baker travels from Fairbourne to Barmouth using a steam train and a small ferry boat – just as visiting holiday makers have for over a hundred years. The Fairbourne railway has been running since 1895 and engine driver, Chris, gives Matt a crash course in steam train operation. He even, bravely, allows him to drive solo to the ferry port. Then Matt hops onto the small ferry boat with Norma, a local lady whose father ran a ferry from Barmouth, fifty years ago. As they cross the estuary Matt hears how, as a young girl, Norma would help her father navigate the treacherous shifting sandbanks.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FAIRBOURNE RAILWAY -
ELLIE MEETS A BUSHCRAFT EXPERT
Ellie spends the day with local bushcraft expert, Heath Dawson. Together, they build a raft from twigs, bracken and an old tarpaulin and take it out on the estuary in the hope that it will float! Later Heath leads Ellie into the woods to forage for seasonal wild foods. Here, they find an abundance of mushrooms and finish the day with a delicious fry up in the forest.
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TAKING PHOTOS FOR SNOWDOWNIA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Matt meets with Jan Davies, a local photographer commissioned to take pictures for the Snowdonia National Park’s 60th anniversary. They meet on the ‘New Precipice Walk’ where they enjoy the stunning views of the estuary. Matt learns more about the 60 Wonders of Snowdonia Project and Jan helps him capture the perfect image using her film camera.
FIND OUT ABOUT MORE ABOUT THE SNOWDONIA 60 WONDERS PROJECT -
ADAM’S FARM: FARMER OF THE YEAR 2011
This week Adam is taking time away from the farm to meet the finalists for ‘Farmer of the Year 2011.’ The award is going to the most sustainable farmer, who’s an inspiration to others, as part of the Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards. The three shortlisted farmers are….
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RADIO 4’S FOOD AND FARMING AWARDS
- Adrian Dolby, who manages a large mix of organic arable crops, suckler cows, ewes and hens at Barrington Park Estate in Oxfordshire.
- Paul & Celia Sousek, who run a sustainable organic farm near Jacobstow in Cornwall. One of their biggest challenges is to run the farm with a zero carbon foot print.
- Andrew Hughes, who is an arable farmer on the Trinley Estate near Andover in Hampshire. He encourages sustainability and the conservation of wildlife. -
JOHN CRAVEN INVESTIGATES HILL FARMING
On this week’s Countryfile, John investigates whether the high price of lamb is turning around the fortunes of Britain’s hill farmers. This form of farming has been in decline for decades, with many leaving the business because they simply couldn’t make any money. But, as the global demand for meat has increased, so has the price of lamb. John will be asking whether higher prices have given the business a new lease of life – and even guaranteed its future.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HILL FARMING
Credits
- Series Producer
- Teresa Bogan
- Presenter
- Matt Baker
- Presenter
- Ellie Harrison
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
- Presenter
- John Craven
