farming

Countryfile – Flower Farming – Joe Crowley and Charlotte Smith find themselves in the picturesque town of Spalding, nestled in the heart of south Lincolnshire. Renowned as the historic hub of Britain’s illustrious bulb and flower farming industry, this charming locale beckons our intrepid explorers to delve into its rich heritage, unravel the tapestry of economic changes that growers have weathered, and unveil the trailblazing efforts of a new generation of farmers shaping the future of the UK’s vibrant flower industry.     In their quest to unearth the secrets of floral cultivation, Charlotte Smith embarks on a captivating journey […]

Countryfile – Ronald Blythe’s Suffolk – John Craven and Margherita Taylor embark on a captivating and immersive expedition to the charming village of Charsfield, nestled in the heart of picturesque Suffolk. Their purpose is to commemorate the extraordinary life and literary legacy of the revered rural writer, Ronald Blythe, whose passing this year at the remarkable age of 100 left an indelible void in the literary world.     Charsfield and its surrounding environs served as the wellspring of inspiration for Blythe’s masterpieces, including the timeless classic, Akenfield. With unwavering enthusiasm, John and Margherita delve into Blythe’s captivating realm, traversing

Countryfile – Rare Breeds 50th Anniversary Compilation – This year marks a truly momentous occasion as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rare Breed Survival Trust, a remarkable charitable organization established by the visionary Joe Henson, father of the renowned Adam Henson. The trust’s unwavering mission has been to combat the alarming decline of rare breed populations across the United Kingdom. To commemorate this significant milestone, we embark on an extraordinary journey to Adam’s idyllic farm, where we witness firsthand how he has fearlessly embraced the responsibility entrusted to him.     As the summer sun graces the land

Countryfile – Argyll Hope Spot – There are 151 hope spots around the world, including the Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. They are areas identified as critical to the health of the oceans, championed by their local communities.Hamza Yassin visits the only one in the UK – the Argyll Coast and Islands. Hamza meets marine biologist Chris Rickard and discovers that the area was designated hope spot status in 2019 because it’s home to the only known nursery in the world of the critically endangered flapper skate.     Hamza joins Chris as he conducts research, searching for

Countryfile – Lower Hampen Farm – In the idyllic landscape of the Cotswolds, specifically at the charming Lower Hampen Farm, we find our dynamic duo, Charlotte Smith and Matt Baker. They are on a mission to unveil the mysteries of traditional farming, a path faithfully tread by Lydia and Clive Handy. This couple has consciously chosen to push against the currents of modernity, returning to the time-tested methods and ethos of farming that rekindle a connection with the land and nature itself. Matt Baker, always eager to learn and engage, finds himself immersed in the fascinating art of yarn weaving.

Countryfile – Compilation: Modern medicine has transformed our lives and wellbeing, but some ancient remedies still have a place in our hi-tech hospitals. Sean Fletcher is in Hendy, south Wales, visiting Europe’s most productive leech farm, which supplies 70 per cent of medicinal leeches worldwide. He joins for feeding time and discovers how these often-reviled three-jawed creatures are making a comeback, helping patients recover from trauma or severe infections. Leeches aren’t the only creepy crawlies with a place in modern medicine. In Swansea, Sean discovers how maggots are working their magic for a patient recovering from a major infection. And