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Essex

Anita Rani and John Craven visit Essex. Anita hears how timber that has travelled around the world from the tropics to the UK is being up-cycled and repurposed.

Anita Rani and John Craven are in Essex, where there is so much more going on beside the seaside than just sandcastles and seagulls stealing chips. Anita hears how tough old timber that has travelled half way around the world from the tropics to the UK is being up-cycled and repurposed to find new life in the Essex landscape.

John visits a farm which is a leader in the field when it comes to growing niche crops. Peter Fairs was one of the first farmers to grow quinoa back in the 1970s, and an increase in plant-based diets means that Peter's unusual crops are becoming more mainstream. John gets a taste of their latest superfood crops - borage and chia.

In a couple of weeks Countryfile celebrates Britain's best shepherding talent, playing host to the One Man and His Dog sheepdog trial competition. As the competitors and their collies get ready, Adam Henson heads out to meet teams Scotland and Ireland.

Tom Heap looks at why the government has finally given fracking the go ahead.

55 minutes

Last on

Tue 18 Sep 2018 01:15
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Two

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Music Played

  • Paloma Faith

    Beauty Of The End

  • Passenger

    All The Little Lights

  • Passenger

    Circles

Pier Restoration

Pier Restoration
Anita catches a train to the end of the UK’s most iconic pier to find out how the team manage and maintain a wooden structure that is constantly bombarded by the sea.Β Meeting the pier’s project manager, Garry Stickland, Anita sees the damage assessment of the lower deck and meets the crew working to replace the fenders on the top deck.Β All the original wood used in the pier's construction is tropical hard wood. Its strength makes it ideal for construction - but the team prides itself on its green credentials so sourcing sustainable materials is a priority.

Fracking

Fracking
Tom's investigates whether fracking can deliver the energy boost the UK needs - and looks at why the Government is backing a new fossil fuel industry.He meets Francis Egan, CEO of shale gas company Cuadrilla, on a visit to its newly-approved fracking site in Lancashire to hear the benefits fracking could bring.But he also meets the campaigners who fear the environmental impact of this new energy supply industry.But will fracking turn out be a vital part of the UK's power energy structure or simply a short-term economic boost?

Super Food Farming

Super Food Farming

Blessed with rich arable land, Essex has seen traditional crops like wheat grown for as long as anyone can remember.Β 

The Fairs family have farmed here since 1828 when Peter’s grandfather, the local cobbler, was owed money and was paid in land instead.Β 

Today, Peter is branching out into some more β€˜unusual’ crops with the help of his son, Andrew.

John visits Warrens Farm to find out why the father and son team have been so keen to branch out - now growing super foods like chia.

John also watches the oil-rich seeds ofΒ borage brought in and processed after harvest.

Tropical Timber

Tropical Timber
Anita visits a timber yard where decades-old tropical timber is being reclaimed and repurposed.Timber merchants Deb and Janine Davies-Tutt specialise in upcycling wood that has travelled half-way around the world and giving it new uses in the Essex landscape.Having been exposed to the elements for decades, the wood looks like it's had it - but Deb and Janine know just how to bring it back to life...

One Man and His Dog

One Man and His Dog
Adam meets the competitors from the first of the two nations hoping to be crowned with the coveted title of this year's 'One Man and His Dog' champions.In Scotland, he meets tenant sheep farmer Julie Hill, who's been trialling dogs for more than 35 years. Julie is competing in the brace - where two dogs must be worked at the same time on one flock of sheep.Meanwhile, 11-year-old Murray Common will be competing with his dog Queen.Β In Ireland, Adam meets professional sheep dog trainer Sammy Long and his grandson Sam. Sammy will be competing in the brace while Sam aims to top the Young Handler category.Β 

Countryfile Ramble for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need

Countryfile Ramble for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need
Matt launches this year's Countryfile Ramble for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need.It's our fourth annual ramble and will take place on Saturday, 6th October, and Sunday, 7th October.

Hardwood Hotel

Hardwood Hotel
Anita leans how old, recycled wood can be transformed and used in 'greening up' communal urban spaces.John Little creates bike and bin shelters that are designed to encourage wildlife - including solitary bees, which are efficient pollinators.Offcuts of repurposed tropical timber are drilled with holes for the bees to lay their eggs and for the larvae to develop.

Credits

Presenter John Craven
Presenter Anita Rani
Presenter Adam Henson
Presenter Tom Heap
Executive Producer William Lyons
Series Producer Joanna Brame

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