0:00:30 > 0:00:32Hello and welcome to Home Ground,
0:00:32 > 0:00:34the show bringing you a real taste
0:00:34 > 0:00:35of all things rural
0:00:35 > 0:00:36in Northern Ireland.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Yes, tonight Gavin and I bring you
0:00:37 > 0:00:38the pick of the crop.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41We've been digging beneath the surface to bring you some
0:00:41 > 0:00:43great stories from around the countryside.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Here's what's coming up on tonight's programme.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Ruth finds out about farming for adults with learning difficulties
0:00:52 > 0:00:55and how the future of one important scheme might be in doubt.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01We delve into the world of taxidermy and meat the Dutch woman
0:01:01 > 0:01:04using it to bring nature back to life.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And I get the Lycra and trainers on to find out about sport
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and our archaeological past.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17This site was built on purpose by a local community so what we're doing
0:01:17 > 0:01:20here today is actually pretty appropriate.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But first, think of spring, and lambs jumping around the fields
0:01:28 > 0:01:31are probably somewhere in that picture.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But they aren't the only new arrivals on our farms.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38I'm here in Kircubbin to lend a hand with this year's calving.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52There isn't much Sam Chesney doesn't know about beef.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56He supplies the leading supermarkets here but to get to that point,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00he needs this time of year to go according to plan.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05Over a ten-week period, he expects 150 new calves on the farm.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Sam, how busy a time is this for you at the minute?
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Busiest time of the year, Gavin.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11You've just come in time because
0:02:11 > 0:02:12we have lots of cows calving,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14the sheep have all finished
0:02:14 > 0:02:15and we're still waiting on
0:02:15 > 0:02:16these ladies to calve now.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Like any expectant father,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19you're not getting much sleep, I'm sure?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21No, we don't really sleep too much this time of year.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27We calve for about ten weeks in a batch and it's all day, all night -
0:02:27 > 0:02:30nine o'clock, half two, six o'clock.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34And whenever it happens, it happens, but you have to be here on call.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37And you've coordinated it all that happens at the one time?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Is that just for handiness's sake for you?
0:02:39 > 0:02:44It's for everything, it's for labour, handiness.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46When you are on the ball all the time,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48you have less losses, and it is easier to feed
0:02:48 > 0:02:52a batch of calves that are all the same size and the same age.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55You can appropriately tailor your market for those animals
0:02:55 > 0:02:58going forward in 16 months' time.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59And this whole set-up here,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- it's almost like a maternity ward, isn't it?- Exactly.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04We have cows in other houses and as it comes to calving,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07we bring them into these straw pens...big, large pens.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10We group them about nine or ten to a pen
0:03:10 > 0:03:12so there's plenty of room to relax
0:03:12 > 0:03:13and, you know, come forward to calving,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17their udders develop more, their rear end develops wider.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Their pelvic muscles slacken so that the calf can be easily born.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25This lady is coming across for a look. Is she nearly ready to go?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27She's looking signs that she may start.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30You see her tail moving about on her back.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Is it just years of experience to know when it is going to
0:03:33 > 0:03:34happen and when to intervene as well?
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I think it is years of experience.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40The animals are worth so much and you don't want any suffering,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42you have to know when to ring the vet.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We always say ring earlier rather than later.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49If we think the calf is too big or you can't easily manage,
0:03:49 > 0:03:50we would get the vet.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52We have had a couple of Caesareans this year,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54mother and babies are doing fine.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59While most of what happens is nature taking its course,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02it is a carefully planned and managed process.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07We've synchronised batches of cows, we've AI'd them all,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10artificially inseminated a lot of cows in the one day
0:04:10 > 0:04:13to make them calve in a batch before the burst of grass comes.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So it's all tailored... It's not just one thing,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20it's lots of wee things add up to make the whole package.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We don't want cows calving in the middle of summertime,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26because the grass is tailoring off. We want them to calve now
0:04:26 > 0:04:28because the grass gets better so the cows produce more milk,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31so the calf gets more milk so the calf grows quicker.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32So it's lots of wee things.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Once the calf is born,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38the aim is to get it tagged and out into the field
0:04:38 > 0:04:39as quickly as possible.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Right, Gavin, we're going to tag this calf
0:04:43 > 0:04:44and it's for traceability.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47So every calf has got an individual number, so they'll go back to
0:04:47 > 0:04:50a computer that is held at the Department of Agriculture
0:04:50 > 0:04:54and they will know that calf belongs to me and its mother's number
0:04:54 > 0:04:56and its grandmother's number and so on and so on.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01We take a wee tissue sample, this goes into these pliers
0:05:01 > 0:05:05and a wee sample of ear tissue is put in this wee phial.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08On the wee phial is the ear number of the animal and it goes off
0:05:08 > 0:05:11to a lab and is tested for a disease called BVD
0:05:11 > 0:05:14which does not affect humans but it's an animal disease.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Likewise that wee sample can be used for DNA and lots of other things
0:05:18 > 0:05:21for traceability, so it's very important we have this.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22Why is it so important for you?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Traceability is the big thing.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Consumers again, going back to consumers, are very important,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30they want to know exactly where their meat comes from.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32The scandal of horsemeat going back three or four years ago -
0:05:32 > 0:05:36it wasn't beef we were actually eating, it was horses.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38The Northern Ireland traceability system is second to none
0:05:38 > 0:05:40in the world.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42We can trace animals right back to the batch that it's in.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45You go to the supermarket, pick a batch of beef up,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48and you can trace it back to me.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49We stand over our product.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51It's just another layer of quality, isn't it?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55It's very important, quality is utmost here.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Northern Ireland produce is built on this, whether it's beef,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00lamb, pork, whatever, vegetables.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Northern Ireland products is built on the quality we produce.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07Less food miles, traceability, carbon footprint -
0:06:07 > 0:06:10all those things that for the consumer are very important to have,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14we have it here, but we have to keep reinforcing it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17This is another step forward - taking a tissue sample.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19And for you quality means a good price?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Quality is good price, yes. We need to...
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Our best market is supermarkets, that's our best premium price.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Probably the best price in the world for beef in Northern Ireland
0:06:28 > 0:06:32is from the supermarkets in the UK.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37But they demand lots of layers of traceability, hygiene
0:06:37 > 0:06:41and different things. We produce that, so we deserve the price.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44So are we going to go and shock this little one?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46We're going to have a... I'm not going to do it,
0:06:46 > 0:06:47you're going to do it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- I feel sorry enough for them without...- No, no.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53It's very painless, it's just like getting your ear pierced.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54You haven't got your ear pierced?
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Neither have you, I see. - Neither have I.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- Right there?- Yes.- Tight?- Yes, go.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Quick, quick. Harder.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Do I click?- That's it, let go.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07There you go, that's it.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Sorry, boy. He took that well.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12And there is the sample.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15There we go. So we can trace this wee man
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- back to this very shed. - There's the wee sample.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21And at this time of year,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24getting the new calves to good grass will give them the best start.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- They don't know where to go. - They don't know what's going on.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33They're only learning.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Do you have to be careful with them, are they still a wee bit protective?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41They would be very protective.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43If you want to catch a calf, you would get other mothers
0:07:43 > 0:07:47coming to gang up on you, never mind the mother of the calf.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Come on, dear. Come on.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50Go on.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55This is the joy of beef in this part of the world,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57that lush grass that we get here.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02It couldn't be healthier than that, that beautiful fresh grass.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05On a day like that, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, would you?
0:08:05 > 0:08:06No, not really. Beautiful day.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Showers forecast, but it takes showers to grow grass.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15And fresh grass means happy cows and that means a happy farmer.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26You may think that taxidermy is all about hunting trophies
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and antlers above the fireplace but I have been to County Down
0:08:29 > 0:08:33to find out how it's being used to promote conservation and learning.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Cockerels, badgers, foxes and owls -
0:08:44 > 0:08:46they might not enjoy each other's company in the wild,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49but in this Bangor studio, they're not complaining.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Oh, my goodness.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Look at this.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- You must be Ingrid?- Hi, Jo.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02- Pleasure to meet you.- Hi.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- What an amazing studio. - Thank you very much.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Wow. You kind of just feel like
0:09:08 > 0:09:10you're being watched from every angle.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14It's not often people get this close to this amount of animals.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It's just incredible.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18And who is he?
0:09:18 > 0:09:19This is a roe deer
0:09:19 > 0:09:20that was actually brought to us
0:09:20 > 0:09:22from Scotland
0:09:22 > 0:09:23and I'm currently working on him.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25As you can see,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27I was finishing up around the eyes,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30getting the detailing right before the skin has to dry
0:09:30 > 0:09:33which is a process that takes about two weeks' time.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Ingrid receives specimens from wildlife groups,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40park rangers, museums and members of the public,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43before transforming them into works of art.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46I like this fella.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50There's a bit of a Donald Trump kind of look about him, is there not?
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- He does have a bit of a fashionable quiff, doesn't he?- Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55He is a Chinese golden pheasant.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00I mean, look at the colours, nature is just incredible.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04Do you do many pets?
0:10:04 > 0:10:09I try to talk people out of it, mainly because whenever
0:10:09 > 0:10:14people come to me, they come to me in a moment of grief and their
0:10:14 > 0:10:16initial idea is that I can bring the animal back
0:10:16 > 0:10:20and although I'm good at taxidermy, I can't do magic.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26Look.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29It's spectacular.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It's a courting bee-eater, so it is the male offering the female a piece
0:10:32 > 0:10:36of prey, and the whole wire suspension goes through the bird,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- through the beak, bee, beak, and back into the legs.- My goodness.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Ingrid works for museums and conservation charities and is
0:10:46 > 0:10:49passionate about using nature for education.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53I could spend all day admiring these works of art
0:10:53 > 0:10:55but Ingrid has work to do.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58So what have we got here?
0:10:58 > 0:11:01We have an unfortunate window collision victim,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04a little starling that we're going to be working on.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So we'll take a scalpel.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12The perception is that you are cutting open animals
0:11:12 > 0:11:13and blood and guts...
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It really isn't as bad as most people think.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I thought I would be more squeamish about this but it's fine.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24As I said, there's no real blood or guts or anything,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27because obviously the specimen has been frozen.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I'm glad it's not a rat, all the same.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Some specimens are more interesting to work on than others, I suppose.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39But in regards to wildlife education, everything has its place.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41Even rats.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45So once you've got the skin away from the carcass,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48what do you do with the body then?
0:11:48 > 0:11:52The body doesn't get used, I just take measurements to make sure that
0:11:52 > 0:11:56I have the right size and everything of the form that I'm making.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01And then obviously the skin gets cleaned, washed, tanned.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02Now this process does take time.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Typically how long from start to finish?
0:12:05 > 0:12:10Well, a bird skin can tan in 24 hours, but mammal skin such as foxes
0:12:10 > 0:12:14or things like that can take easily two weeks
0:12:14 > 0:12:17before they are workable and the tanning process
0:12:17 > 0:12:20is a process that stabilises the protein in the skin
0:12:20 > 0:12:24so it basically turns the skin into wet leather.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28While our little bird heads off to the tanning bath,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Ingrid has another one ready for the next stage.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Using measurements of the body, Ingrid has created
0:12:34 > 0:12:36a mould that the skin is placed over.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Wires are then inserted to give the bird its shape.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I've put too much pressure on the wire.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Here's how not to do it.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I've put too much pressure on the wire and I've actually bent it.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Not all is lost.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Can you redeem?
0:12:53 > 0:12:54It should be doable.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Let's have a wee look.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01I think I'll stick to the day job.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Sorry, Ingrid.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18So with the blow dryer, you can hold it by either the legs or the wires,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22whichever you prefer, and you just work until all the feathers are dry.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27What have you worked on - what was the best thing?
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Anything that is used for education is the best thing for me.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Anything that inspires kids about nature, wildlife,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and obviously the importance of taking care of it,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40for me is the best thing.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It really doesn't come down to a specimen.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Sparrows can be just as impressive as peacocks in my eyes, because...
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Size doesn't matter?
0:13:50 > 0:13:51No, size doesn't matter.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Everything is beautiful in its own right.- OK.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06So is this your favourite bit, then, when you get to pose it and...?
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Definitely.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12This is the part where all the patience and the work comes in
0:14:12 > 0:14:16and eventually rewards when you have something that just looks
0:14:16 > 0:14:18like it's alive.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21This will now take many hours and I might revisit it tomorrow and think,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23"Hold on, the pose isn't quite right."
0:14:23 > 0:14:26or, "The feathers don't quite sit right,"
0:14:26 > 0:14:31so it will be a process of returning and brushing and keeping up
0:14:31 > 0:14:33until it's... Well, until it's perfect.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36It's beautiful.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40It's preserving that moment in time and getting
0:14:40 > 0:14:44a close-up look at nature at its absolute finest.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Now the farming life can be hard at the best of times, but for adults
0:14:53 > 0:14:56with learning difficulties, it is extra tough.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Ruth has been to County Fermanagh to visit one farm opening its doors
0:15:00 > 0:15:03and giving people with disability the chance
0:15:03 > 0:15:04to get stuck in to work.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13I'm here to spend time on a very special farm.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Two days a week,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Simon and Jennifer host adults with learning difficulties.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Ben and Matthew are here today and I've been roped in to helping
0:15:24 > 0:15:25in the cow shed.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28So how often are the boys here, then?
0:15:28 > 0:15:31The boys are here two days a week. They've been here for the last
0:15:31 > 0:15:33six months and we've seen great improvements.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36What sort of things have you seen develop and improve?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Certainly, Matthew and Ben have been
0:15:39 > 0:15:41more confident around the animals.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42When they came at first they were
0:15:42 > 0:15:44afraid of the chickens, you know,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46but now they're able to walk...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- And now they're here.- Now they're here walking amongst the cows.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52They've just been in great form since they've came here.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Do you think people can be a wee bit sceptical
0:15:56 > 0:15:59about how well this might work because it is dirty and cold
0:15:59 > 0:16:02and, you know, you've got sharp things and you've got danger?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04It certainly wouldn't work for everybody now,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07but certainly for half the population of Northern Ireland
0:16:07 > 0:16:11who live in the countryside, it would suit them better
0:16:11 > 0:16:14than obviously somebody coming from the town.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16'As I found out,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19'they're keen to get on with lots of tasks around the farm.'
0:16:20 > 0:16:22They were painting this last week.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23Uh-huh.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Were you painting this?
0:16:25 > 0:16:28That's brilliant. Very good.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Did you do all this yourself?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Nice colour.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34It's a nice colour, isn't it?
0:16:34 > 0:16:38They really enjoy... Well, Ben, in particular, the animals,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40and Matthew the tractor.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45But now Ben is starting to take increased interest in the tractors.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47But that's what we're seeing all the time -
0:16:47 > 0:16:51every week you see their interests grow.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- What's next, then?- What's next? We're going to do the sticks.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55You've been very patient.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57He's doing the sticks and the thatch.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59OK, let's go and do that, shall we?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06The boys themselves, they love to lift big weights.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10It's very therapeutic for them, we find it gives them
0:17:10 > 0:17:12a sense of confidence.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14"I am a big guy, I can lift this big weight," you know.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Although it might not be that big really,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20but it's just exercise as well, it's great for them, you know.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Which presumably has a knock-on effect to everything else?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25It affects their physical and mental health as well.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Have their parents seen a difference over the six months
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- of them being here? - I think they have.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33We've had great feedback from the parents,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- especially about Matthew and Ben here.- Yeah. What sort of things
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- are they noticing?- They're noticing that they're sleeping better
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and they're more concentrated with things
0:17:41 > 0:17:45and they're a lot happier about life, you know.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47I guess a bit of fresh air, a bit of exercise.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50There's something to look forward to each week as well.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Why did you get involved with this in the first place?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59We have two boys, David and Mark,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02who have autism and a learning disability
0:18:02 > 0:18:08so back when David was only about ten or so, I was looking...
0:18:08 > 0:18:12what will he do when he leaves school?
0:18:12 > 0:18:16I came across a farm down in the south that was doing sort of
0:18:16 > 0:18:20similar things like this and we went and visited it and we came
0:18:20 > 0:18:24back and we thought that we could do something similar.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26So that's how we started.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Jennifer and Simon are part of the social farming scheme
0:18:30 > 0:18:33which operates on both sides of the border.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36There are 15 farms involved at the minute but with lots more
0:18:36 > 0:18:38interested in taking part.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41However, the funding is piecemeal and there are questions over
0:18:41 > 0:18:44the continuing future of the service.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50So is that the problem as to why more farms aren't signed up
0:18:50 > 0:18:53to this, because there's just not the money?
0:18:53 > 0:18:54It would be a key issue in terms
0:18:54 > 0:18:55of getting that sustainable
0:18:55 > 0:18:57funding, so across Northern Ireland
0:18:57 > 0:18:58we would have pockets of activity
0:18:58 > 0:19:00with different farms engaged,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02but in terms of it being
0:19:02 > 0:19:04a regional practice,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08it isn't well-established yet and that's what we're moving towards.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Is one of the issues that it's very expensive?
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Because it's very much a one-on-one thing. Whereas maybe other provision
0:19:15 > 0:19:19in towns or cities, everybody's coming to a centralised place and
0:19:19 > 0:19:23it's not as active, there's not as much resource involved in it?
0:19:23 > 0:19:25I suppose it is a more bespoke service that you are catering for,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28a smaller group of people when they come out,
0:19:28 > 0:19:29and that's the benefit of it,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32that you are getting that interaction with the farmer and with
0:19:32 > 0:19:33the number of participants that are out -
0:19:33 > 0:19:36that is a small group that are doing the activities, it's not
0:19:36 > 0:19:40well suited for 50 people to come out for a morning or the full day.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43But it shouldn't be prohibitive, the cost.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It is in line with other opportunities and is just something
0:19:46 > 0:19:49that needs more consideration as to how it can be funded.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Social inclusion is the main benefit, being in your local
0:19:52 > 0:19:56community instead of going to a big centre in the local town.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58There's farmers out there who want to deliver,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02there's people who can benefit from it, so it seems straightforward
0:20:02 > 0:20:05in that sense but obviously funding has to match up with that.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Through opportunities like this, we're increasing choice.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13For people who want to engage in it, the opportunities should be there.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- But you just need the money to get it there?- Yes.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Has it given you both more of a hope for the future for your own boys?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26That is a lot of the reason.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29We hope to improve the lives of our children by doing this ourselves.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32It would probably suit better for them to go somewhere else more
0:20:32 > 0:20:34than our own farm because this is home for them.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38But there are other social farmers in County Fermanagh as well,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41so we're hoping that our boys will maybe go to their farms
0:20:41 > 0:20:45and we will still hopefully host other young people.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49So it's about keeping young people who are from the countryside
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- in the countryside? - Yes, that's right.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57A lot of parents are fearful of the future and really do lack
0:20:57 > 0:21:03a hopeful future for their loved ones and that is very difficult
0:21:03 > 0:21:08to hear. So, yes, what we're doing is hopefully making the future
0:21:08 > 0:21:12a lot more hopeful and brighter for people with learning disabilities.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Northern Ireland is dotted with lots of ancient monuments, but you
0:21:21 > 0:21:25probably don't expect them to be visited by Lycra-clad gym bunnies.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Well, I've been taking part in a new scheme aimed at getting us
0:21:29 > 0:21:32to move more and learn a little bit about history too.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43The Giant's Ring, one of Northern Ireland's best-preserved ancient
0:21:43 > 0:21:47sites, sits outside Belfast and marks the start of the countryside
0:21:47 > 0:21:50as well as telling us a lot about our own history.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55We refer to it as a henge, it is a henge monument.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56And this was built
0:21:56 > 0:21:58about 6,000 years ago.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59You can really appreciate here
0:21:59 > 0:22:01the scale that we're talking -
0:22:01 > 0:22:03banks that are four metres high.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06It spans a distance of 200 metres.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09So it was a considerable effort by the people who built this,
0:22:09 > 0:22:10it was very significant to them.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15There's a lot of information we don't know
0:22:15 > 0:22:17about these type of sites. They're quite rare -
0:22:17 > 0:22:19we only have about 11 of these across the entire Northern Ireland
0:22:19 > 0:22:23and this is probably one of the best preserved ones.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27We think that they were ritual and religious.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30They were built... They're not defensive, they were built by...
0:22:30 > 0:22:32As you can see, it's scooped out there from the insides,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36sort of a dish profile, so they dished out from the interior
0:22:36 > 0:22:38to build up a bank so it wasn't defensive.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40But it is an enclosure,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42so we do think it was for community gatherings.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49But today it's being put to a different use.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51The idea is that we're trying to get people out and get them
0:22:51 > 0:22:56active and we've got a sports coach here who's going to beast them
0:22:56 > 0:22:58and make them understand and realise,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00"This is a shared space, it's free,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02"it's open, it's on the doorstep and why not use it?"
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Why do you think people don't use it?
0:23:04 > 0:23:06It's a good question.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Maybe we need to promote it more, maybe it's one of those things
0:23:09 > 0:23:11that you just don't appreciate what's on your doorstep.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Maybe people think that to get fit and healthy,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17you need to go to the gym.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19And we're here to show you that you don't.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22These sites are here for you to use and you don't need anything,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24you don't need a commitment, you don't need anyone telling you
0:23:24 > 0:23:28what to do, so come along and join in and get fit, get outdoors.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Today we'll be doing a lot of stuff today
0:23:32 > 0:23:35that anybody who's here can take home,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40use it in their back garden, use it in a field in the Giant's Ring,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42in a park, a forest, anywhere.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44So that's what we're aiming to today.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50Up to 25% of children at the age of 11 are now obese,
0:23:50 > 0:23:51which for me stems actually
0:23:51 > 0:23:53from their parents,
0:23:53 > 0:23:54it's not from the kids.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56So if we can be re-educate the
0:23:56 > 0:23:58parents, if we can get them involved
0:23:58 > 0:24:02in being outside, using our green spaces, you said it as well,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04we just don't appreciate what we have here.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Well, I suppose there are people that might say this is
0:24:13 > 0:24:16a place of great historic significance.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Is it inappropriate to use it as an outdoor gym?
0:24:19 > 0:24:22We think basically the total opposite.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25This site was built on purpose by a local community that worked together
0:24:25 > 0:24:27to build this site, it was very significant to them.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31And while there's a lot we don't know about the site, we do know
0:24:31 > 0:24:34that it was used for community gatherings and such.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37So what we're doing today is actually pretty appropriate.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39We are bringing people together here, we're getting them active
0:24:39 > 0:24:42and bringing communities together, basically,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44so it's quite appropriate.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Alternative uses for our heritage.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Yes. OK...
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Getting people out here, actually getting them physically out to these
0:24:54 > 0:24:58spots, I suppose you get them to appreciate the history inadvertently
0:24:58 > 0:25:01almost without throwing facts and figures down their throats.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Exactly, that's what we're hoping through this project actually
0:25:04 > 0:25:07is to draw attention to these sites in the first instance of
0:25:07 > 0:25:10just having activity here and getting them out and then if they
0:25:10 > 0:25:14get interested in archaeology and history after that, then fantastic.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17But these are special places and we want people to appreciate them
0:25:17 > 0:25:19for whatever reason that might be.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23This is only one of a couple of projects we have this year.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25We have another couple of events at different historic monuments.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30- How many?- Well, we have about 190 of these State Care monuments alone,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33so we've a lot of scope there, a lot of potential.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39The aim here is to combat rural isolation and unhealthy
0:25:39 > 0:25:42lifestyles. However, the Giant's Ring has been the site of some
0:25:42 > 0:25:46antisocial behaviour, a reputation that Stefanie is keen to change.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52We want all of our visitors to feel welcome and safe when they
0:25:52 > 0:25:56come to the site and obviously we want it used for different reasons,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59various reasons, we want people to come here and appreciate it
0:25:59 > 0:26:01for whatever reason.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05So we would like to discourage any kind of activity that makes
0:26:05 > 0:26:09people feel distressed or that doesn't respect other visitors
0:26:09 > 0:26:11and the heritage as a place.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13We'll hit this nice and hard.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17The rain is on today but those who have turned up to brave it
0:26:17 > 0:26:19seem pretty keen.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Go. 20 seconds on, good.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Keep your tempo high. Keep your tempo high.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32What do you think puts people off exercising out in the countryside...
0:26:32 > 0:26:33LAUGHTER
0:26:33 > 0:26:36..apart from the rain and the wind and the cold?
0:26:38 > 0:26:40What puts them off?
0:26:40 > 0:26:44I guess obviously weather-dependent is obviously one thing
0:26:44 > 0:26:47in Northern Ireland but from the perspective of...
0:26:47 > 0:26:49The hardest part of any kind of exercise
0:26:49 > 0:26:50is getting out the door.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Once you get out the door
0:26:52 > 0:26:56and you get into the fresh air and an open space,
0:26:56 > 0:27:04that initially gives you a sense of awakening energy, ready to go.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It's just trying to convert that into an exercise.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I don't think people necessarily always consider outside
0:27:10 > 0:27:13and free space as an option, erm...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Again I think it's a matter of trying to communicate that
0:27:16 > 0:27:20information and people knowing where they can go to that are going
0:27:20 > 0:27:21to be free areas.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27If you're interested in taking part, you can find out more online.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Come on.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Let's go, quickly.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Double time. Double time.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39That's a high-five, that is.
0:27:43 > 0:27:4499, 100.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- How do you feel after that? - You're a laugh.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48My legs are still sore but I learned a good bit
0:27:48 > 0:27:50about history too, it's a great initiative.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Yeah, it was a great day. Now that is just about it for this episode
0:27:53 > 0:27:55and this series of Home Ground.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57We'll be back in September, we'll see you then.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59See you then, bye-bye.