Countryfile – Glasgow – In the picturesque region of Renfrewshire, two prominent figures, John and Hamza, have taken on the significant responsibility of judging this year’s entries for the widely acclaimed Countryfile photographic competition. They’re not alone in this endeavor; joining them is the multi-talented photography enthusiast and celebrated DJ, Edith Bowman. Together, they’ll meticulously review the stunning snapshots, selecting the final 12 images that will grace the pages of the 2024 Countryfile Calendar. This isn’t merely an artistic effort, as proceeds from the calendar will directly aid the charitable organization, Children in Need.
John’s passion for the visual arts leads him further on an exciting journey as he meets with the cyanotype artist Martha Orbach. With her guidance, John will delve into the fascinating world of nature photography, uncovering its origins, techniques, and timeless beauty. His exploration doesn’t stop there; he’ll also visit a progressive Glaswegian community collective. This group of forward-thinkers is revolutionizing the way we shop and consume food, promoting sustainability, and encouraging a more conscious lifestyle.
Hamza, on the other hand, turns his attention towards wildlife preservation, sharing his knowledge and passion for nature. He reveals an ingeniously simple butterfly feeder, designed to nourish and support the delicate creatures during the summer months. His insight and creativity offer an accessible way for others to get involved in wildlife conservation.
Meanwhile, Adam faces an agricultural challenge, grappling with some tough decisions regarding what crops to grow after the harvest. It’s a precarious time for farmers, as another year of possibly volatile grain and fertilizer prices looms on the horizon. The unpredictability of the market requires careful planning and strategic thinking, and Adam’s expertise provides valuable insights into navigating these tumultuous waters.
Together, John, Hamza, and their collaborators weave a tapestry that celebrates art, nature, sustainability, and community. Their diverse pursuits reflect a shared commitment to enriching lives, nurturing the environment, and inspiring others to engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.
Countryfile – Glasgow – Exploring the Wild Side of Glasgow on Countryfile
The vibrant city of Glasgow is typically associated with its industrial shipbuilding past and lively culture. But nestled within Scotland’s largest city are pockets of idyllic wilderness waiting to be discovered. A recent episode of BBC’s Countryfile shined a spotlight on Glasgow’s wild side, showing there’s more to this urban area than meets the eye.
Capturing the Beauty of Glasgow through Photography
Amateur photographers across Britain submitted their best snapshots of fauna and flora to Countryfile’s annual photography competition. The episode featured judges John Craven and Strictly Come Dancing champion Hamza Yassin perusing thousands of entries alongside BBC Radio 2 DJ Edith Bowman. Their mission was to select 12 breathtaking images for the 2024 Countryfile calendar, with proceeds benefiting BBC’s Children in Need.
The stunning backdrops of Finlaystone Country Estate provided a fitting scene for judging the competition. Nestled on the banks of the River Clyde, this 500-acre countryside oasis offered the perfect vantage point to marvel at the varied Scottish terrain.
“We’re in the stunning scenery of south Scotland to judge this year’s photographic competition,” described John. “So we’re in for a real treat, I think.”
The trio of judges clearly had their work cut out for them. With no shortage of masterful submissions capturing the essence of Britain’s wilderness, the deliberation process proved challenging.
“It’s certainly wild. Yeah,” Hamza chuckled, weighing the merits of each entry. “I prefer my wave.”
Edith echoed the difficult decision-making, “I’m finding it harder to pick an image that I like.”
But after hours of impassioned discussion and debate, the judges narrowed the selections down to 12 winning photos spanning landscapes, wildlife, and seasonal scenery. Now it’s up to viewer voting to decide the viewer’s choice winner for the calendar cover.
Uncovering Photography’s Natural Origins Through Cyanotypes
In between judging rounds, John met up with artist Martha Orbach to explore cyanotype printing – one of photography’s earliest processes. This alternative technique was pioneered in the 19th century by botanist Anna Atkins as a means of documenting nature.
Cyanotypes involve coating paper with chemicals that turn vivid cyan blue when exposed to sunlight. Objects like leaves or petals are then placed directly onto the coated paper, leaving a silhouette behind after a period of exposure. The result is a striking blue photographic print.
John and Martha foraged for interesting flora specimens around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s therapeutic Horatio’s Garden. They gathered leaves, ferns, and flowers to create their own cyanotype prints. Once exposed to sunlight and rinsed in water, gorgeous blue images emerged on the paper.
“It’s the perfect place for the butterflies to have a feast,” John remarked, admiring the cyanotypes.
By learning this rudimentary photographic process, it provided insight into how pioneering photographers like Anna Atkins first captured the natural world.
Fostering Community and Sustainability Through Local Food
In addition to evaluating photos, John visited Locavore – an enterprising Glasgow urban farm cultivating local and sustainable food systems.
Founder Reuben Chesters gave John a tour of one of Locavore’s lush gardens in Renfrewshire bursting with ripe produce like blackcurrants, lettuce, and radishes. He described their mission of uniting the entire food supply chain under one roof through farm production, food shops, veg box delivery, and more.
“So we work with quite a few other farmers as well and we’ve helped other farmers convert to organic,” Reuben outlined as John lended a hand harvesting.
Reuben explained that by growing, selling, and distributing food locally, they significantly reduce food miles while supporting the community. Locavore provides employment opportunities and volunteer days for locals to get involved.
“It’s been a mixture over the last 13 years of building up a collection of over 300 native species,” described herbalist Monica Wilde of her wild garden sanctuary.
The episode provided a window into the emerging local food movement taking hold across Britain. Schemes like Locavore are empowering growers, providing fresher food access, and reducing environmental impact.
Concocting a Butterfly Buffet to Bolster Wildlife
Amidst the judging and exploring, Hamza paused to concoct a wildlife-friendly DIY project at home – a fruit butterfly feeder.
Using simple materials like a paper plate, string, and fruit scraps, anyone can fashion a hanging feeder. It offers butterflies and other pollinators foraging fuel, providing precious energy before migration or hibernation.
“The great thing is butterflies are happy to share their treats with other pollinators, like bees, flies and beetles,” Hamza described, hanging the feeder.
Small actions like this can make a big difference in supporting biodiversity, especially during challenging seasonal transitions. Get creative repurposing household items to nourish nature in your neck of the woods.
Farming Through Uncertainty: Diversification for a Resilient Future
The episode also highlighted the uncertainty plaguing British farmers as they strategize crops for future harvests. Adam Henson visited Duncan Andrews’ 400-hectare farm to assess options in the face of volatile grain prices and unpredictable weather patterns.
>“The reality is there are a lot more factors now influencing the profitability of the farm and it’s become increasingly unpredictable,” Duncan emphasized.
Multipronged diversification emerged as a potential strategy for greater resiliency. Introducing more crop variety across fields, dedicating acreage to wildflowers for government subsidies, and generating supplemental income sources could provide a safety net when factors beyond farmers’ control put harvests at risk.
Adam also visited Jonty Brunyee’s smaller 72-hectare farm utilizing an extremely diversified business model for profitability. Alongside sheep and chickens, Jonty derived income from the on-site market garden, camping facilities, farm shop, and more. Their diversification distributes risk to stay afloat when harvests fluctuate.
For both small and large farm operations, diversification in the face of volatility may pave the path toward economic and environmental sustainability.
## Bringing Glasgow’s Wild Side Into View
While Glasgow cultivates its reputation as Scotland’s cultural hub, this episode of Countryfile peeled back the layers to reveal the city’s abundant wilderness. From the Clyde’s lush riverbanks to community gardens cultivating native plants, pockets of nature persist amidst urbanization.
Community-minded sustainable food enterprises, like Locavore, are empowering locals to directly shape their food system. Farmers near and far are collaborating to strengthen diversity and resilience. And the city’s wild backdrop still manages to dazzle, as highlighted in the photographic competition.
So take a page from the Countryfile team and keep your eyes peeled for Glasgow’s wild side. You may just discover some unexpected beauty.
FAQ
What was the photography competition featured on Countryfile about?
The episode showcased Countryfile’s annual photography competition. Viewers across Britain submitted photos of British wildlife and landscapes related to the theme of “Wild Britain.” The judges selected 12 winning images to feature in the 2024 Countryfile calendar, raising funds for Children in Need.
How did the team create cyanotype prints?
Presenter John Craven met up with artist Martha Orbach to create historical cyanotype prints using sunlight. They coated paper with chemicals that turn blue when exposed to UV light. Placing objects like leaves or flowers on the paper created a silhouette in blue. Cyanotypes were an early form of photography pioneered in the 1800s.
What is Locavore’s goal as a sustainable urban farm?
Locavore is a Glasgow-based community enterprise cultivating local and sustainable food systems. Founder Reuben Chesters gave a tour showing how they grow Scottish produce and distribute it locally to reduce food miles. Locavore aims to unite links in the food supply chain under one roof.
How did Hamza make a butterfly feeder at home?
Hamza demonstrated making a fruit butterfly feeder using simple household materials – a paper plate, string, and fruit scraps. Hanging the feeder outdoors offers butterflies and pollinators an energizing feast before migration or hibernation. DIY projects like this can support biodiversity.
Why is diversification an important farming strategy?
The episode emphasized diversification as a way for farms to increase resiliency against unpredictable grain prices and weather. Introducing more crop variety across fields and supplemental income streams distributes risk when harvests fluctuate. Both large and small farms can benefit from diversification.
