0:00:30 > 0:00:34Hello, and welcome to another episode of Home Ground.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36This week it's the last in the series, but fear not -
0:00:36 > 0:00:38we've got a jam-packed programme for you.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Here's what's coming up on the show.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47When there's no-one left to take over the family farm,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49what's the solution?
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I meet two men that are a match made in farming heaven.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00They're essential to our ecosystems, but bees are under threat.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01Ruth's in Limavady.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Don't turn your back to it. Always keep your face to the front.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And in the Mourne Mountains, I'm fighting fire with fire.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Also later in the programme, we've our weekly weather forecast.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25But first tonight, it's often said that the lakes are in Fermanagh
0:01:25 > 0:01:27for one half of the year and for the other,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Fermanagh is in the lakes.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Well, today there'll be no mistaking where I'm going to be -
0:01:32 > 0:01:34very much in the lakes.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48I'm here on Devenish Island to take part in a craze
0:01:48 > 0:01:52that's getting more and more popular across the country -
0:01:52 > 0:01:53wild swimming.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Beautiful setting. - It's gorgeous here, isn't it?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01What's happening today? Don't know if I'm looking forward to this.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- We're going for a swim! - What is wild swimming?
0:02:04 > 0:02:06It's pretty obvious, I suppose - get in amongst it. But...
0:02:06 > 0:02:09It's getting outdoors, it's swimming in places
0:02:09 > 0:02:11that most people don't swim - not swimming pools.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Lakes, rivers, the sea.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15And today you're going into the lake.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- It's really taken off, Paul, hasn't it?- Oh, it has, yeah.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19Triathlons have brought it on,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and people now are getting out to the outdoors,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24and tri suits and things like that
0:02:24 > 0:02:26make it warmer to get into the water,
0:02:26 > 0:02:27so it's accessible now to more people.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Bit of body fat a good thing, is it?
0:02:29 > 0:02:30A wee bit of body fat's a good thing.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Yes, natural insulation. - My good Christmas may have helped.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- The calories will be burnt off here. - How cold's it going to be?
0:02:36 > 0:02:39You haven't been in swimming much, have you?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- In the pool, does that count? - It's colder than the pool.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44It's considerably colder than the pool.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We'll get in slowly, so we'll walk in gently and get used to it,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49but you are going to feel cold.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But you'll soon get used to it and get your breathing settled,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and then we'll take a little bit of a trip.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- No dive off the jetty, no? - Well, we'll save that for the end.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59You have to be safe doing this.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02You can't just rock up to your local river and jump in.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Yeah, you need to check - various things to check.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08One, as you said, the temperature, and that's one of the big things.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11If you jump straight into really cold water, you can gasp
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and just inhale water, and that's not a good thing,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17and that's how a lot of people lose their lives.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20So the main thing is to get in slowly, get yourself used to it.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24If it takes you time, if you have to swear a little bit, we'll not mind,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and get you dipping into the water, and once your breath is settled,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29you'll actually be able to swim quite comfortably.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32And away from the actual sporting side of it,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- is it about just getting in touch with nature?- Oh, it's great, yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37You feel alive after you come out of the water.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38That cold, pink feeling that...
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- You know, the blood rushing through the body.- It does.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- Keeps away the colds as well. - Yeah?- The cold and the flus.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I find when I swim all through the winter, don't get a cold.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- OK, we'll find out, will we? Will we go and get involved?- Yes.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50- Ah, good man. Good man.- Help!
0:03:56 > 0:03:59The most important thing is to be safe.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Both Paul and Mo are highly experienced swimmers.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Mo has even swam the English Channel,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06so they'll look after me today.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Real wild swimmers -
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- big Jessie.- Oh, wait till you hear the scream!
0:04:10 > 0:04:13They've co-authored a book about the best places to wild swim
0:04:13 > 0:04:17in Ireland, because you can only do this in approved sites.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Get the water up around you.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22See round the armpits, the places that will be very warm...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- This is my weekly bath. - ..get them used to the shock.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27We're down. Come on, let's see you.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38It's different from the sea, you know.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41In the sea you're obviously a wee bit more buoyant, too.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43You've got the suit and all on, adds buoyancy.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- I feel like a fraud with a suit on, actually.- Well, you are.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47- LAUGHTER - Well, maybe, maybe.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54It's just always worth keeping an eye out that there aren't
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- too many other boats about.- Yeah. - Cos we're very small in the water.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Yeah, very hard to see.- They're not really looking for swimmers.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I can see the appeal, cos it's nothing like a swimming pool.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Exactly. I mean, where do you get a view like this in a swimming pool?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09You feel the water.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Just, you're down eye level with nature.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16The birds don't mind you. They fly past.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18The ducks will join you.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Swans will chase you.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22We're going very slowly.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24When you two are competing, different ballgame?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Yeah, different. I'd be doing front crawl.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29There's a lot of people swimming in pools.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Would you say to them, "Come out and try this?"- Try it!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- Try it, yeah.- But be careful, you know.- Come out with a buddy.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Yes.- Swim with somebody and try it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Pick somewhere quite easy,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43where you know you can walk in and you can walk out again,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- and you'll get the bug. You really will.- Race you back?
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Away you go.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- Well done, you!- Well done, Gavin. - I think I'm sold. Brilliant.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- You are, yeah.- Really enjoyed that. - Another one over to the dark side.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- Sorry I was too slow for you. - Not at all.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- It was brilliant.- That was good.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Real eye-opener, actually. - I think he had that race won.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Not as cold as I thought it was going to be.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14See, it's beautiful, isn't it?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16So some hot chocolate now, do you think?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Hot chocolate.- Oh, yeah, yeah. - But first, one more thing.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Been promising myself this all day.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33He just couldn't help himself, could he?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Anyway, farming - it's more than a job. It's a way of life.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40But what happens if there's no-one to take over?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Well, I've been to County Down to find out
0:06:42 > 0:06:44about one potential solution.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51And these are two new chicken houses
0:06:51 > 0:06:55that are just up now four months, five months.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00Today I'm in Seaforde with arable farmer Allan Chambers.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05He grew up on a farm, but he bought this land back in 1983,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and has been growing crops here ever since.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Is this all your land here, as far as the eye can see?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Well, not quite as far as the eye can see,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16but we have a nice circle right round us here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18All bordered by a public road.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Almost 300 acres of land in one block here.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Right, so we'll just dig this out, over here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28This has been produced from one seed.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30'We're in a field of spring wheat,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34'gathering soil samples to see just how fertile the ground is.'
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And is that typical? Does that bode well for the crop?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Yeah, that would be good.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Although this is a bit sort of yellowy coloured
0:07:43 > 0:07:46with all the wet weather we've had, but, you know,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49I'm happy with the amount of tillers that we've got.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- It ain't going to be bad. - No, it should be all right, yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55So farming's in your blood. You've been a farmer, man and boy.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Yeah, my family have been farmers since 1680.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- 1680!- Generation after generation. - Yeah.- So I've known nothing else.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05I just love my work and I love the job.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Well, do you feel sorry for young men
0:08:08 > 0:08:10coming into the farming world now?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Well, it's not easy,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16but it depends, really,
0:08:16 > 0:08:21how well the family farm has been set up for them to walk into.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24A lot of guys are wanting to be farmers,
0:08:24 > 0:08:29but just cannot find the right spot to get on with the job.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33'Like an increasing amount of farmers, there's no successor
0:08:33 > 0:08:37'to take over the farm, and Allan's thoughts are turning to the future.'
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Because there's nobody in my family who are actually wanting to be -
0:08:41 > 0:08:45in my immediate family - wanting to be farming,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48the simple thing to do would be sell the land.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- Head off to the Bahamas and party. - And who could blame you?
0:08:52 > 0:08:53But that wasn't an option.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57No, not for me, because when you've worked your life
0:08:57 > 0:09:01to build up a business which is based on the land,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02you want to stay involved.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05You want to help, you want to make the decisions.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08You actually want to do the work, but you have to realise that
0:09:08 > 0:09:10you're no longer fit to do the amount of work
0:09:10 > 0:09:12that's involved in this job, so...
0:09:12 > 0:09:14There were options out there,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and I chose the one of asking a nephew to come
0:09:17 > 0:09:21and share farm with me, and he's been working extremely well.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24He's a good lad and he wants to do it.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Share farming agreements are schemes
0:09:29 > 0:09:32which match-make older farmers with no successor
0:09:32 > 0:09:35with young farmers with no land.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38They already take place in the south of Ireland, England
0:09:38 > 0:09:41and other big farming countries like New Zealand,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and now the Ulster Farmers' Union is rolling it out here.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Allan asked Neill Patterson to share farm with him
0:09:50 > 0:09:52and look after the day-to-day running of the place,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55initially for the next ten years.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58It means that Allan can take things a bit easier,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00and Neill can start to think about the next chapter
0:10:00 > 0:10:02of this farm's life.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Going now from January 2012.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12In terms of our agreement, we both have our inputs.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14We both put 50% in to the agreement,
0:10:14 > 0:10:19so I get the opportunity of farming the brilliant farming land
0:10:19 > 0:10:21and Allan knows the ground is going to be worked
0:10:21 > 0:10:25and the work done on the time it needs to be done, type thing, so...
0:10:25 > 0:10:27What do you get out of it long-term, though?
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Well, I suppose the agreement is in that I know now within
0:10:31 > 0:10:35the next ten years that I can work the farm to...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Cos I know that I'm going to have a farm in it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39So it's a guarantee.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Allan's 50% into it is providing the ground, what the crop needs
0:10:44 > 0:10:48from the word go - so buying the seeds, fertiliser spray,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51if there's drainage work to do, hedge cutting, whatnot -
0:10:51 > 0:10:54everything the crop needs to get it to its full potential
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- through the year.- Right. - And then my 50% into it
0:10:57 > 0:11:01is doing all the work. So that's whether or not I get a contractor in
0:11:01 > 0:11:05or have my own machinery. The day-to-day running of the farm is
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- up to myself, you know. - Well, you see, I'm imagining
0:11:08 > 0:11:10his 50% is sitting in there by the fire with his feet up,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13having a laugh, having a drink of coffee, and you're out here...
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Oh, aye, yes.- ..working your socks off.- He's never out at all, no.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Nonsense, he couldn't be enough help, you know.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24So he still loves that he can take a day off or do
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- his own thing and whatnot, whenever he wants.- Yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30But yet whenever I need him at harvest times or whatnot,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- he's there, you know. - So he's quite hands-on?- Och, aye.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37I was lucky, I suppose, to have the opportunity to...
0:11:37 > 0:11:40for Allan to approach me. He could have went to anybody
0:11:40 > 0:11:45but he saw that it was something that maybe I was wanting to do
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and to this day I'm glad he asked me.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Do you find he's able to take a step back, or does he kind of nit-pick
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- and interfere? - No, no, he definitely does.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58We both have our inputs into everything.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Yes, workings on a day-to-day basis, I have maybe
0:12:01 > 0:12:05more of a say to timings of things and what we're doing, but...
0:12:05 > 0:12:06Yeah.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08No, he takes a step back and we swing an odd golf club now
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- and again. - Oh, and who wins there?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Aye, it's a little bit of competition,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- but, no, I'll say nothing. - LAUGHTER
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Well, there's the man himself. - Hi.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Well, clearly, for this arrangement to work,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23the pair of you have to get on,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- regardless of what happens on the golf course.- That's true,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28that's true. Well, so far, so good.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Will you get on like a father-and-son team?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Yeah, yeah, it's grand,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and we will do as long as he continues to do what he's told.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38LAUGHTER
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Would you recommend it to others? - Yes, I would, absolutely.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43At least take a look and see, anyway.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47But be careful where you go to pick the person and pick them well
0:12:47 > 0:12:48and pick them right.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57They're essential to pollination and the health of our ecosystems,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01but bees have been in decline over the past ten years.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Ruth's been to meet one beekeeper
0:13:02 > 0:13:04who hasn't let anything get in the way
0:13:04 > 0:13:07of her passion for the native Irish bee.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Nothing says summertime like the buzz of bees in the countryside.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23I've come to Limavady to find out about this clever little insect
0:13:23 > 0:13:27and to meet a very special beekeeper, and her guide dog.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I was listening to the radio at home one day,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36about four or five years ago, and there was a beekeeper's conference
0:13:36 > 0:13:40being held in the Guildhall in Derry.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44And they were looking for members of the public
0:13:44 > 0:13:46who would be interested in beekeeping
0:13:46 > 0:13:48to come to the conference.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And I thought, "I'd like to do that,"
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and ended up doing a beekeeping course
0:13:54 > 0:13:58and my colleague Jim, here, was one of the lecturers on the course.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- So it's your fault? - It's his fault!
0:14:01 > 0:14:02LAUGHTER
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Jim, when you first saw Bernadette coming in with a guide dog,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07did you think,
0:14:07 > 0:14:12"This might be a challenge to get Bernadette looking after bees"?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Do you mean Bernadette or the guide dog?
0:14:15 > 0:14:16LAUGHTER
0:14:16 > 0:14:20No... Well, I suppose you immediately think of
0:14:20 > 0:14:24the difficulty that that person who is partially-sighted
0:14:24 > 0:14:26or blind would have.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29But then, actually, one of the greatest beekeepers
0:14:29 > 0:14:32was a man called Francois Huber, 18th century.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Francois Huber was blind
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and he made some of the most remarkable discoveries
0:14:37 > 0:14:40about bees. But he had a servant at the time,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- and he encouraged the servant to help him keep his bees.- Yeah.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47So Jim's my servant!
0:14:47 > 0:14:48LAUGHTER
0:14:48 > 0:14:51You walked into that one, Jim, you walked into that one.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52Thanks very much.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54Wow!
0:14:54 > 0:14:59'So, time to get out to the hive - and wrapped up to avoid stings.'
0:14:59 > 0:15:03We need to make sure that the bees don't get up inside your sleeve.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Yes, please.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13'Today, Jim is using a smoker. It calms the bees
0:15:13 > 0:15:14'before opening the hive.'
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- That's it.- Right. - This is the crown board
0:15:23 > 0:15:27on top of the...the brood box.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- And...- Oh, look! - ..you can see the bees there.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Now, as you can see, they are very docile, they're not agitated,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38they're not swarming out to attack us or anything.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44- Good!- And I always think that it's nice to talk to the bees, you know.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48I'll be telling them, you know, the TV was terrible last night,
0:15:48 > 0:15:49you know?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51But it will be good tonight, because Home Ground is on.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53LAUGHTER
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Very good, Bernadette!
0:15:54 > 0:15:58It gets the bees used to your voice and they get used to you coming.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01You know, they can recognise you, I think.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I'm going to get round behind the hive, Ruth.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07And...
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- Oh, wow.- So... - So how many are in this?
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- What would you reckon, Jim? - Well, it's not fully formed,
0:16:16 > 0:16:21- so maybe about, what, 20,000? - 20,000?!
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- And these are Irish native honey bees?- Yes, they are.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28'Bees have been in global decline over the past decade,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31'so Bernadette is very keen to protect our own
0:16:31 > 0:16:34'Irish native honey bee, which makes up around 95% of
0:16:34 > 0:16:37'our honey bees in Ireland.'
0:16:38 > 0:16:43But you'd like to see the bee population here being 100%
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- native Irish.- Absolutely. - Why is that?
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Well, if people import bees of a different species,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- there's a chance that they would hybridise our bees.- Yes.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58And we don't want that. It's something that's been native
0:16:58 > 0:17:01to this country for thousands of years
0:17:01 > 0:17:05and we need to conserve that bee and, you know,
0:17:05 > 0:17:10protect its health, because quite often imported bees
0:17:10 > 0:17:13can bring in pests and diseases.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Bernadette, being visually impaired,
0:17:17 > 0:17:23do you think you can pick up on how a hive is by the sound of it?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Absolutely. Before you open the hive, you would nearly know
0:17:26 > 0:17:30if they are agitated or if they're not, you know.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35Luckily, I haven't ever had an agitated hive,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39but I have some friends who keep bees
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and I knew by the sound of the hive as I was approaching
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- that they were agitated.- And does that change sort of day-to-day
0:17:46 > 0:17:50or depending on conditions or just how they're feeling?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Well, it depends if the queen is present or not.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56The queen can leave the hive and swarm.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01And if she's not there, they're going to be...
0:18:03 > 0:18:07..looking for her and, you know, getting a bit agitated.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12- There.- There she is, look at that. - She has a long body,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- long abdomen. - That's a very good spot.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21You're both very, very calm! Is that essential when
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- you're dealing with bees?- I would think so. The last thing you would
0:18:24 > 0:18:28want is someone who's going to wave their arms about and shout and
0:18:28 > 0:18:33roar if a bee is buzzing near their ears or anything.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38So, no, it does help if you're calm and placid.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41But working with a colony of bees like that,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43you couldn't be anything else but calm.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Like, just... We've stepped into the middle of their home,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51their world, and they're getting on with their business.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54And their concentration is phenomenal,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58people have commented on that throughout the ages.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00They are very focused on what they do
0:19:00 > 0:19:04and they being focused on what they do helps us, I think,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06to remain focused.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- There's a sealed brood here. - And what's that?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- That's the little larva growing. - Ah! Really?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15And if we could see one, a bee emerging,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17that would be wonderful. And there, look, there's a bee emerging.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Oh, my goodness! Look at this!
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Jim, that's almost like a bee being born.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24LAUGHTER
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- It's out.- It's out!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- Did you get that?- Oh, brilliant. - And you see the colour it is?
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- It's just literally... - Yes! It's like a newborn, pale.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- Look! Oh, brilliant!- Being born. - Welcome to the world, little bee.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42It did that just for yourself, Ruth, just to sort of say,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- "Look, this is how it happens." - Wow.- Welcome to Limavady!
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Well, it's been a lovely day here on Devenish Island.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Let's take a look at what the weather has in store
0:19:56 > 0:19:57for the week ahead.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Five years ago a major wildfire in the Mourne Mountains
0:21:07 > 0:21:11caused widespread devastation and ruined much of the landscape,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15but now those tasked with preventing a repeat
0:21:15 > 0:21:18have a rather unusual method of doing so.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Burning.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25The Mournes, amongst the most stunning scenery
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and important ecology in the country.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32But back in 2011 all that was under threat.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35NEWSREEL: Fires like these are raging across the Mournes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38As the wind increased, the fire got hold again
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and was soon travelling across acres of heathland.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46This area was engulfed in the worst gorse fires of recent years.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Skip forward five years
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and today the fire service is back in the Mournes.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55They're working with the Mourne Heritage Trust to pilot
0:21:55 > 0:22:00a new technique aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2011 blazes.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Today, they're literally fighting fire with fire.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Isn't it just stunning? Not a bad spot to be responsible for.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12But today we're going to be putting a match to it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Why on earth would we want to do that?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Very good question. You would think in Northern Ireland
0:22:17 > 0:22:19that there wouldn't be a problem with wildfires
0:22:19 > 0:22:22but that's exactly what we're starting to see now.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23So what we're doing is
0:22:23 > 0:22:26we're trying to work out where there are critical areas
0:22:26 > 0:22:30so that if we reduce the fuel load, which is the vegetation,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33it means it would slow any fire that's coming through down
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and it would give the Fire and Rescue Service
0:22:36 > 0:22:38and other supporting agencies an opportunity to get on top
0:22:38 > 0:22:42of the fire and stop it spreading into the greater landscape.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46There are people that may say, you know, put the resources,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48put the money into tackling fires in the towns and cities,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50not up a mountain somewhere.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Well, I can give you an example.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Wildfires in 2011 cost the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- approximately £8 million.- Wow.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01So it's a severe drain on our resources. So if you
0:23:01 > 0:23:04look at that, what we're trying to do is, we're almost invest to save.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07If we can invest our time here now and reduce,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10er, mitigate the spread of wildfires if they do occur,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13but hopefully prevent them in the first place,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15that will reduce the cost to us as a fire service
0:23:15 > 0:23:20and we'll be able to put those resources into the structural fires,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23into the urbans and the cities and address the normal firefighting.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Well, I know I've got all the gear on - pretty sharp, I think.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Should I be nervous? - No, no, you'll...
0:23:29 > 0:23:31This is going to be a controlled event,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33so you've nothing to worry about.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It's incredibly windy today, so there's hope that it will
0:23:37 > 0:23:40die down enough so the burn can take place.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Otherwise the fire will get out of control.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49The aim is to burn and extinguish strips across the mountainside.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52It's hoped that these will act as natural firebreaks
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and stop any future fires spreading.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00This is serious stuff and the conditions have to be just right.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04But after some checks, things look good
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and very soon we see the first flames rising.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Right, it's over to me and then you're behind and coming in, OK?
0:24:11 > 0:24:13If the wind blows in the wrong direction,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16there's a chance the fire can spread out of control.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21Don't turn your back to it, always keep your face to the front.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24And it's not long until the fire does spread.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's easy to see how it can get out of hand,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29just like it did five years ago.
0:24:31 > 0:24:342011 we had a long period of droughts,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37we had very high temperatures and we had a strong easterly wind,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and all those conditions created the perfect storm,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42so we had one of the busiest periods
0:24:42 > 0:24:44of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46On one particular bank holiday
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- we received a call every 45 seconds. - Wow.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51And we had every single fire engine out, with the exception of one
0:24:51 > 0:24:54in Rathlin Island, which is our volunteer station.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56So, yes, it was an extremely busy period.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I think we had approximately 3,000 calls within the first six months
0:25:00 > 0:25:02and in that sort of two-week period
0:25:02 > 0:25:06we had 1,977 wildfire, gorse-related fires.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Right, keep it a bit tight at the lines, OK? The next one's starting.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12There's an art to today's exercise,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16and it wasn't long until I was roped in to help -
0:25:16 > 0:25:18under strict supervision, of course.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Can't believe it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I tell my kids to be careful around fires, never to start fires,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24and here I am, about to start one myself.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26They'll never listen to me again.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- So dip down in, get a bit of flame? - That's it.- OK.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Then just drop down, drop the fuel, that's you.- OK.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Sure.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49What we do, come up and just grasp it really quick...away. That's it.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50And down.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58You've covered a good bit of land.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Are you pleased with the way today's gone?- It's gone excellent, Jo.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Couldn't have gone better. It's been very controlled.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07As we can feel up here and we can see, it's very windy, but down
0:26:07 > 0:26:10in there it's in a little hollow and we were able to work with the wind.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13It changes direction as well when you get down lower at the end of,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16like, a spur, and the wind can come from one side and then the other.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Yeah. - The team worked very well together.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21The whole thing is about communication, and we were
0:26:21 > 0:26:25able to keep the lines tight, the fire at the right intensity.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28As you can see there, we've taken all that vegetation off -
0:26:28 > 0:26:30you can see the exposed stones there.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33But the key thing is, we've not burnt into the soil.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35So we want to keep the soil protected
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and so the seeds are still OK.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Presumably this is something we could share with other countries.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yeah, this is actually...what we're doing is probably ground-breaking
0:26:45 > 0:26:48with regard to what's happening here in Northern Ireland,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50and our European partners are looking at
0:26:50 > 0:26:54what we're doing here to see if this model sort of is effective.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- And let's face it, you had my input, too.- Well, that was critical.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- That's what made the difference. - Absolutely.- Come on, guys.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03I almost don't want to give this back, I've really loved wearing it.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05We'll get your name on it! THEY LAUGH
0:27:09 > 0:27:10Starting fires?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I don't think your kids are going to listen to you again.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14Ah, they never do anyway.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17That's it for this episode of Home Ground.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- In fact, that's it for this series of Home Ground.- Yeah, pretty sad.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23We've enjoyed making it, I hope you've enjoyed watching it. Bye-bye.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Bye-bye.