0:00:26 > 0:00:28In the land of mountains, moorlands
0:00:28 > 0:00:33and lakes lies a valley of wide open spaces and fertile fields.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41This is the eastern corner of Cumbria. Its farming heart.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43I am in the Eden Valley.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47This place is sometimes called Cumbria's best-kept secret.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50But not any more. Thanks to the World Sheepdog Trials, people
0:00:50 > 0:00:54have flocked here from all over the globe to watch the experts at work.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59High above the valley in the fells, far away from the sheepdog trials,
0:00:59 > 0:01:04I'll be getting a taste of sheep farming at its most extreme.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07When the winds howl, the rains pour and the snow falls,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10life here can be pretty tough.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14So, just how is this piece of hi-tech kit going to help?
0:01:14 > 0:01:15I'll be finding out.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21While back at the sheepdog trials, just as the rain really gets going,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Helen and I go head-to-head in a challenge of our own.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27We've got this in the bag.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Farmer's daughter versus farmer's son.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And I'll be taking a close look at radical new proposals
0:01:34 > 0:01:36to change our planning laws.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38They could lead to many more houses being built.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Would that ruin some lovely parts of our countryside
0:01:41 > 0:01:45or revive many rural communities? That's what I'll be investigating.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Also tonight, Adam's herd is facing another test for bovine TB.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55He doesn't want to lose any cattle, but one in particular is on his mind.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Eric has got a real place in my heart now.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02If he got TB and had to be put down, that would bring a tear to my eye.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19The lush green slopes of the Eden Valley.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22A hidden jewel...
0:02:22 > 0:02:25set between the rocky peaks of its better-known neighbours,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28the Lake District and the Pennines.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34And at the heart of the valley is the 75,000 acre Lowther Estate.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Today, the estate is host to the World Sheepdog Trials,
0:02:38 > 0:02:43an international event that will draw crowds of up to 40,000 people.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46It's the latest event in the estate's 800-year history.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Once the Lowther Estate was so large,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53you could walk from the east coast to the west coast
0:02:53 > 0:02:55without ever leaving it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59But by 1957, life wasn't so sweet.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04In a bid to avoid inheritance tax,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06the roof was stripped off this once magnificent castle.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09The building, left to rack and ruin.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Now, thanks to a £9 million grant, it has been restored and the rest
0:03:13 > 0:03:16of the estate is not doing too bad either.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20I'm meeting estate manager Richard Price to discover
0:03:20 > 0:03:24how they are making this historic estate fit for the 21st century.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Where is the money coming from for all of this work?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32The actual castle project is being put into a trust,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34the Lowther Castle Gardens Trust.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And the money for that is coming from the public sector,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41large funding organisations like the North West Development Agency
0:03:41 > 0:03:44and things have moved forward very fast.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46And very proud of what is happening with that.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51It is very much the hub and the crown of the estate.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54And how much does having the World Sheepdog Trials here help?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57It means a lot for the local community.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59It brings a lot of income into the local community.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04While the World Sheepdog Trials are bringing 240 shepherds
0:04:04 > 0:04:07from around the world to Lowther,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10they do have plenty of their own sheep to look after.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14The estate runs 5,000 of these mule sheep.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17They have a hardy Swaledale mum and a lean, muscly,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Blue-faced Leicester dad making them rugged for this environment,
0:04:21 > 0:04:22but ideal for the table.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27John Harrison is the estate's head shepherd.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30He's working hard behind the scenes to get
0:04:30 > 0:04:34the huge amounts of sheep ready, in the right place for the trials.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39So, John, are you tempted to have a go at the trials this year
0:04:39 > 0:04:42because you could? Former English national champion.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Well, I mean, it would be nice to but I haven't
0:04:44 > 0:04:46competed for about 10 or 12 years now,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48so I've probably lost the edge.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It would be nice to have a go, I must be honest.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Sure. There are handlers coming from all over the world.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56I'm not sure what they'll make of the mules.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58It will be interesting to find out really.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01The interesting thing is, every handler
0:05:01 > 0:05:03gets a different set of sheep.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06This is a nightmare for you to keep things moving around?
0:05:06 > 0:05:10We have over 1,200 sheep to get ready for the trials in the next four days.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Luckily, we have a good, strong committee
0:05:12 > 0:05:14and a lot of helpers to help as well.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16There is a lot of work involved,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19early mornings and late nights unfortunately.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22What does it mean to you as head shepherd to have the world trials?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It's tremendous that it has come here.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And also for the local environment.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29You know, with all the people coming in and the local community,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31it is fantastic for that as well.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Back at the trials, the competition is well under way.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I have arranged to meet up with Katy Cropper who won
0:05:38 > 0:05:40One Man And His Dog in 1990.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44'Well done, lass, that is what I call a good trial.'
0:05:44 > 0:05:46The first woman to do so.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Katy, here is the BBC Television trophy.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52That is something to keep, isn't it?
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Wonderful, wait a minute.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57She now lives and works right on the doorstep in the Eden Valley.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01What a wonderful thing to have the World Sheepdog Trials here.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Yes, it's gorgeous. This is God's country.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07As you can see, it's the most stunning, stunning scenery.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09The trial field looks fantastic.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11There is a tremendous feel to it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14It couldn't be more perfect for the trial. It is not easy.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Field number one is quite a tricky course.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Some of those sheep are quite contrary.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I actually did the course the night before the actual trial.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23How was it?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Lovely. I think I should have won it!
0:06:27 > 0:06:30There are some right rough ground going from the shedding ring
0:06:30 > 0:06:34to the pen so you wouldn't be wanting to wear your Jimmy Choos
0:06:34 > 0:06:36because it really is quite rough.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38But for the dogs and the handlers, that win this,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42it is a big deal, isn't it, the World Championships?
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Fantastic!
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- And it can be quite lucrative. - Oh, I'm sure.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Depending on who the person is that wins with their dog,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53you never know, the dog will be worth a lot of money.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57We've got the best dogs and the best handlers from all over the world.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00But not the best of the weather.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Heavy rain is affecting the trials.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Later I'll be meeting a couple of the international competitors
0:07:06 > 0:07:08who have braved the Cumbrian climate.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14In just a couple of weeks' time, the Government's consultation
0:07:14 > 0:07:18on making radical changes to our planning rules comes to an end.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21The proposals couldn't be more controversial.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25But what difference will they really make? John has been to investigate.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35England's planning laws rose out of the ashes of World War II,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39to prevent a free-for-all in building.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42But fast-forward to today and they've created a bureaucracy
0:07:42 > 0:07:44with 1,300 pages of planning guidance,
0:07:44 > 0:07:50causing delays which cost the economy an estimated £3 billion every year.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55Now, the Government has decided it's time to speed up the whole planning process,
0:07:55 > 0:08:00in a bid to get more homes built and kick-start the economy.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04All those pages of guidance will be cut to just 52.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07But these proposals have exploded into a war of words
0:08:07 > 0:08:12between ministers and deeply concerned heritage groups.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15The protection for the green belt...
0:08:15 > 0:08:19I'm not a left-winger. I'm not a fanatical.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22..rather than replacing...
0:08:22 > 0:08:25What's causing the uproar is the Government's idea that
0:08:25 > 0:08:28councils should have a presumption in favour of what they call
0:08:28 > 0:08:31sustainable development. In other words,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35they should be more likely to approve new housing than turn it down.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39So, would these new laws ride roughshod over the countryside,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43or would they throw a vital lifeline to rural communities
0:08:43 > 0:08:46with an uncertain future?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49To try to shed some light on what the proposals could mean,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54we've picked two villages in Somerset with very different prospects for the future.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57First, East Coker in the south of the county,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01a quintessentially English village.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Good morning, John. - Good morning, what a beautiful day.
0:09:04 > 0:09:081,400 people live here including Martin Sowerbutts
0:09:08 > 0:09:10who is taking me on a visit to the local church.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14Here we are, John.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17If we go up the tower I can show you what we are talking about.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Right up the top, there.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22'But we're not just heading up high to get a bird's-eye view
0:09:22 > 0:09:25'of this lovely village of 900 homes.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Many more to go?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30About halfway I should say, John.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35Martin wants to show me a development site for up to 3,700 houses
0:09:35 > 0:09:38which could be built right on their doorsteps.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Well worth the climb! What a view!
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Fantastic, isn't it?
0:09:44 > 0:09:48So where exactly is this proposed development going to be?
0:09:48 > 0:09:52You see the brown field ahead of us, it will span across there,
0:09:52 > 0:09:53to the left, behind this tree.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55To the outskirts of Yeovil?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58It will join on to the outskirts of Yeovil
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and go right across to the houses on the horizon.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04It will look like, essentially, gravy pouring down from Yeovil
0:10:04 > 0:10:07into the Vale of East Coker.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10All the area they're going to build on is grade 1 agricultural land.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13The finest and most fertile available.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18It accounts for something less than 5% of all agricultural land in England.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21And to build on that, well, I think it's criminal.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Although sites like green belts will still be protected,
0:10:24 > 0:10:28proposals to defend premium farmland like this have yet to be approved,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31leaving them at risk of development.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32Many see East Coker's case
0:10:32 > 0:10:37as the sort of battle that could take place right across the country,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38if the new changes go through.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42To give you some idea of the effect it'd have, I have a photograph here
0:10:42 > 0:10:47which gives a representation of what it would look like if this development went ahead.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52You can see all of the houses here would be covering that area there.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57'Although this artist's impression has been done for those opposed to the development,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00'it's undeniable that this many houses will have a dramatic impact.'
0:11:00 > 0:11:04So how far is this village going to take it?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Well, we didn't want it, but we think in some ways we're a test case.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12With all the assets East Coker has got, the heritage, the farming,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16the quality of the land, if we can't actually make our case stick,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19then we think that nowhere in the country's going to be safe,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22particularly under the new planning framework.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29The Government says new planning guidelines will put power back in the hands of local people.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Here, in South Somerset, they're not so sure about that.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36The woman who represents East Coker on the district council
0:11:36 > 0:11:41says her colleagues have little alternative but to do what the Government wants.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46My preference would have been to spread the houses amongst the villages,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48because I believe that protects the school,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50the shops and the pub
0:11:50 > 0:11:52and other community facilities,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55but what the Government wants is to have the development
0:11:55 > 0:11:58on the edge of towns with employment land
0:11:58 > 0:12:02and with retail provision within that area along with the houses,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06and so that is what the district council's had to put into their plan.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10What you're saying is, it's not really your local district plan,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14it's a plan that the Government is imposing on you.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Certainly, if we don't have a local plan which goes this way,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19developers will be able to come along and say,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22we are going to develop here, or wherever,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24and we won't be able to refuse them
0:12:24 > 0:12:28because we haven't identified somewhere else more suitable for them to go.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32I certainly don't want it to be a free-for-all for developers.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35The council say the development would bring benefits to the area,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39but can't be specific until plans are finalised.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42So are existing businesses positive about the proposals?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Good morning.- Hello there.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- Could I have the local paper, please? - No problem. That's 70 pence, please.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54I suppose you'll be glad when the new houses are put up, good for business?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56No, we don't think so, actually.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58We believe with the size of the estate it's going to be,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00they'll bring shops with them,
0:13:00 > 0:13:06possibly a mini supermarket, and we think it's going to draw customers away from us.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10'In East Coker, it's hard to find people in favour of the proposed development,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14'and that's the big concern about these possible planning changes,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16'that they simply won't take into account
0:13:16 > 0:13:21'the views of local people if they're against development.'
0:13:23 > 0:13:28But in other places, there are those who believe these plans could actually work in their favour.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36I'm on my way now to a village about 20 minutes away called Queen Camel,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39where the people there are wanting new houses.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43People power is working here,
0:13:43 > 0:13:50because the community is doing what it appears the Government wants them to do, namely, ask for more housing.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Parish councillor Rosemary Heath Coleman helped put together a plan
0:13:55 > 0:13:58for the future of their village.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02We've been selected by the Government as a guinea pig
0:14:02 > 0:14:05for a neighbourhood development plan.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08How many affordable homes do you need here now?
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Well, that's still a question to be answered,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15but if I said to you 20-ish,
0:14:15 > 0:14:20we will build, I hope, according to the need.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22And that's the difference.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Here, we're talking about a few affordable homes wanted
0:14:25 > 0:14:29by the community to help sustain their village, whereas in East Coker,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33they fear a whole new town will be forced onto their doorstep.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37While the children of Queen Camel enjoy playtime,
0:14:37 > 0:14:43the village has been given a £20,000 government grant to plan for the future.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- You have got a lively school here. - We certainly have.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50What difference do you think the neighbourhood plan is going to make?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It will be good to have our numbers rising again.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54We have fallen over the last few years,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58though we've turned a corner now and we are beginning to increase again.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01So, the whole point of the neighbourhood plan
0:15:01 > 0:15:05is that it's going to allow people who can afford to live in the countryside
0:15:05 > 0:15:07to be here with their young children.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08Absolutely, that's what we want.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11You want a real mix in the countryside,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14not just lots of old people, young families, too.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18So is this what the new planning regulations will bring about,
0:15:18 > 0:15:23or is it more likely to be mass development of the kind feared by East Coker?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Well, in fact, there may be a third way,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30that no-one's anticipating, as I'll be revealing later.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39It's grey and it's cold.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I'm on my way to meet some hill farmers.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Not these guys. They wouldn't know one end of a sheep from another!
0:15:45 > 0:15:50But what they're doing could make a real difference to the way hill farmers work.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53These guys aren't playing around with a kid's toy.
0:15:53 > 0:16:00This is £30,000 worth of military technology that's been adapted for civilian use.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04We'll find out more about that a bit later on.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Meg! Meg!
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Here are a couple of farmers who stand to benefit.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Father and son Chris and Richard Harrison.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Unlike our men in black, they know all about sheep,
0:16:17 > 0:16:22and when I caught up with them, the sun was actually shining.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27I'm here to help bring these Swaledales down off the fells.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It's the time of year when the lambs are weaned off their tired mums,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and we couldn't do it without the help of a good working dog.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Chris, I'm in awe of your dog. How easy was she to train?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Meg, she was a natural, really.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45She more or less trained herself!
0:16:45 > 0:16:50From about eight months old, she used to run left, right, sit, stop,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and you just had to add commands to it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55So "get away" is go right?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58"Get away" is go to the right, "get by" is go to the left.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59OK.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03I'm doing well if I can get my dog to sit in one place for 30 seconds.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Meg, get away!
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- She's not moving.- Try again.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Meg. Get away!
0:17:10 > 0:17:13You haven't got the right tone of voice.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16She's looking. She just listens to me, really.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Meg, get away, Meg.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Get away!
0:17:20 > 0:17:24I thought she was just out of range, but you're right, it is me!
0:17:24 > 0:17:26'I've got to crack this,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29'because I'm taking Matt on at the sheepdog trials later.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'Chris reckons it's all in the name.'
0:17:32 > 0:17:35We tend to give dogs names with just one syllable.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38My dogs have been called Twig, Rock, Meg.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's for command reasons, really.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46When you shout, if it's just one sharp word, they can understand.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49So Meg's good. We had a Bob.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50But we also had a Mandy.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Bob's a good name for a dog, but I'm not too sure about Mandy.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- She was a nice dog, I'm not sure she was that efficient. - I'm not doubting she was a nice dog!
0:17:57 > 0:18:01So if I'm going to beat Matt Baker, I need a woman's dog.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I think so. You need a dog that will listen to a woman.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Insert your own punchline there!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Well, Meg doesn't listen to a word I say,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20so I'm hoping Jack will pay more attention.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I doubt it very much. He doesn't listen to me very much.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Thank you.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27How old is Jack?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- He's just turned two. - So he's a bit more mischievous?
0:18:29 > 0:18:33He is a little bit, yes. He's a young dog but he's still learning, just as I am.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Bye.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38Bye.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- Say his name.- Jack, bye.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Bye. Go on, they're looking!
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Bye, Jack.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Well, Richard's bound to do better.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He's had more practice than me.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53But I am trying.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Maybe I'll be more use down on the farm.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03'Things can get tricky when you stand in the wrong place.'
0:19:03 > 0:19:06That was my own fault. I knew that!
0:19:06 > 0:19:07'And noisy.'
0:19:07 > 0:19:09THEY BLEAT
0:19:09 > 0:19:14Remember, though, this is the first time these lambs will have been without Mum.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18They really sound like they're saying, "Mum!"
0:19:18 > 0:19:20You're going to be fine.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22You're going to love it out there.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25These lambs will stay on low ground, grazing and growing up.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30Their mums are back off up the fells to winter on high ground.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35And I mean high ground.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Near 2,000 feet.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41With the kind of winters they get round these parts, that's harsh.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Remember these two?
0:19:46 > 0:19:51Well, they reckon their fancy flying machine could be the answer to our hill farmers' prayers.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57When the snow gets deep and the tractors won't budge,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00then this bit of kit comes into its own.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05It's designed to fly over hard-to-get-to terrain.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Just the job when your sheep are thousands of feet up.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13A special camera underneath streams live video pictures back to a laptop,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18but the cute bit is, you can tell this flying shepherd exactly where to go.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19Can you get it to fly from A to B?
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I can indeed. I can demonstrate that now.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23I can set some waypoints up here.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Then what it will do, if I now set this waypoint active,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31what it will do now is fly between the three waypoints that I've set.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37- You can now see on the camera it's turning to the right.- Oh, wow!
0:20:38 > 0:20:40The craft flies right over Chris the farmer's flock.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45The tiny white dots you can just about see are his sheep.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Can you send the camera over our heads?- Yeah, that's very easy to do.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51You grab the centre of the orbit we're currently on.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Set it active, and there we are.- Oh!
0:20:58 > 0:21:00We're quite small, aren't we?
0:21:00 > 0:21:04We are. With this current camera, we will look very small.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05We can see there are people there.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11The technology was developed to be used in war zones like Afghanistan,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13so the Cumbrian hillside shouldn't be a problem.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16But what does our farmer Chris think of it?
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The cost of this is probably out of the way
0:21:19 > 0:21:23for the hill farmer, but maybe a contractor who has one of these,
0:21:23 > 0:21:28and say there's the Commons or the Lakeland fells where there's vast, open spaces,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30where you can't get to with a quad bike,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32maybe the commoners could get together
0:21:32 > 0:21:36on a day when they're going to gather the Commons and get the contractor in,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38send him out to have a look to see where the sheep are at,
0:21:38 > 0:21:43so they could save time by going to certain areas on the moors and Commons.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- So just hire one? - Just hire one for the day.
0:21:45 > 0:21:52This is a prototype, but it's already attracting the interest of outfits like the mountain rescue.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56It would make a difference in terms of getting people off the mountains?
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Absolutely, yeah.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01You could imagine a scenario where somebody's thrown a quad bike over.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03At the minute, the option is you put runners,
0:22:03 > 0:22:07fast-running guys will go up the hill and follow the track and see where the guy is.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Well, we just throw this in the air, let it go hunt him down,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and then we can go in with a vehicle ready to rescue the guy.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18After about 20 minutes aloft,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22the craft is ready to land all by itself.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Ouch!
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Quite a robust little thing, isn't it?- Heavy landing.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32So, I think we all agree it's got a future,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35but does that mean the end of the working dog?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I don't think so.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41I don't think it makes you worry about early retirement just yet.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43You're all right, Meg.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46There'll be a few dogs back at the fourth World Sheepdog trials
0:22:46 > 0:22:48that'll be pleased to know that.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56At the Lowther Estate, behind the scenes,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59the competition is in full swing.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Growing up on a sheep farm, sheepdogs have always been a big part of my life.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10It's a real treat for me to be here.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12I trained my first one when I was 14.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17This is where all the handlers hang out before they nip off to the post.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21This is Karin and Lyn, how did you get on out there,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- as you're from Norway? - I was pleased with the run,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26pleased with the dog, but it won't be enough.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Right. It's a long way to come, isn't it,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30for one shot?
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Is the sheepdog trialling world quite similar in Norway, as to what you're experiencing here?
0:23:35 > 0:23:37It's nearly the same, the same type of courses,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39the sheep are a bit more heavy.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44- Yeah.- Same rules but the sport is not as big as over here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50There are handlers from America,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53from the Faroe Islands, and even Japan and Brazil.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56This is the Brazilian team over here.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57- Good to see you, how are you?- Nice.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Now, it's going very well for one particular member of your team.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05We could expect to do well, but maybe not that well.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Right. And what do you make of Cumbria?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10The farm area and stuff, it's pretty.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15And the environment, we enjoy ourselves very much in the world trials.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20And you're the breeder of the dog that currently has the second highest score in the world.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Yes, shouldn't have sold it!
0:24:24 > 0:24:27This is a lovely touch, you have your crook in this.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Actually, I brought this for my wife.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- While you've been here?- Yes.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Oh, isn't that lovely?
0:24:33 > 0:24:37She gave me the visa to come by myself so I have to bring something back.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40You keep smiling and wish the team all the very best.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Hopefully your score will remain in the top two. We'll keep our fingers crossed.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Now, the second part of John's investigation.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Earlier, we heard a tale of two villages.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02East Coker, which is facing the prospect of thousands of new houses forced on it,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06and Queen Camel, where the community's driving a project
0:25:06 > 0:25:09to build 20 affordable homes. Two very different examples
0:25:09 > 0:25:12of the way Westminster
0:25:12 > 0:25:14would like to free up the planning laws.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17The Government says that its proposed changes to planning
0:25:17 > 0:25:20are aimed at making more land available for housing,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23and so boosting the economy in the process.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26But already there's a lot of land that's been given the go-ahead
0:25:26 > 0:25:29for housing, but where nothing is happening.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Not only are there enough brownfield sites out there
0:25:34 > 0:25:36to build around 750,000 homes,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39up to half of which may be in the countryside,
0:25:39 > 0:25:43there are also countless rural sites that have been bought, but not developed.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47This is a rather nice place for a walk, isn't it?
0:25:47 > 0:25:48It is lovely at the moment.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Did you know that they have, back in 2009,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54obtained consent for 1,200 homes?
0:25:54 > 0:25:55To be built on these fields?
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Quite a significant part of it would be built on.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So why are there no houses here then?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06It's difficult to know - lots of developers will have land
0:26:06 > 0:26:10that they have planning permission on, but won't necessarily be building.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16There may be many reasons - generally developers will hold on to land bank stock.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So how big is this land bank at the moment?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22There is some talk that there is probably enough consent
0:26:22 > 0:26:26for something like 700,000 homes throughout the UK.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28So that's about two or three years' supply
0:26:28 > 0:26:31of new homes that are not being built.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32That's right.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39So if firms can't afford to build on land that's already earmarked for housing,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43what difference will relaxing the planning laws really make?
0:26:43 > 0:26:48Local building contractor David Pinckney thinks the changes could be just enough
0:26:48 > 0:26:51to kick-start the house-building industry again.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I think the principle behind it is very sound.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Anything that cuts down and simplifies the planning process
0:26:58 > 0:27:04is certainly going to help contribute to more development opportunities.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It will be interesting to see how that works in practice.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Do you think this idea of speeding up the planning process
0:27:10 > 0:27:12will create more jobs in the building industry?
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I think it will in the long term, yes.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19If we can speed up the process and encourage development,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23it will certainly lead to significant jobs of projects such as this.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27We're able to create over 1.5 permanent jobs for every home we build.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32If we are able to meet the demand that's required, certainly in rural communities,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35we can create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the industry.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40But even if more houses are built, will those who need them most be able to afford them?
0:27:40 > 0:27:44I'm going to meet a couple where houses in their village
0:27:44 > 0:27:46are way out of their price bracket.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50How do you feel about a situation where young people
0:27:50 > 0:27:53just can't afford to live in the places where they were brought up?
0:27:53 > 0:27:57I think it's quite bad, really.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01When you're brought up somewhere, you really enjoy it as a kid,
0:28:01 > 0:28:02got memories and stuff there.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05And when you can't live and have your own child live that life,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09it's quite sad, really.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12House prices here are just out of your reach, are they?
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Yeah, completely. They're way out.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18'But there is hope for Chris and Katie and baby Jack
0:28:18 > 0:28:20'because they live in Queen Camel,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24'where, as we heard earlier, there are now hopes of building around 20 affordable homes.'
0:28:24 > 0:28:28And the new houses that are being planned here,
0:28:28 > 0:28:33I think there'll be an opportunity to part-buy and part-rent.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- That's right.- That will get you a bit more stability.- Yeah.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Then you can own so much of the house as well.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43So, will you be very disappointed if you don't get one of these houses?
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- I would be, yes, very disappointed. - Definitely.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52From what I've seen, it appears whilst these changes
0:28:52 > 0:28:56have the potential to give communities like Queen Camel
0:28:56 > 0:28:57a new lease of life,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00a combination of vague language and putting more power
0:29:00 > 0:29:02in the hands of developers
0:29:02 > 0:29:05may also leave it open to abuse.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08It seems inevitable that the new planning regulations
0:29:08 > 0:29:11will take some protection away from rural areas
0:29:11 > 0:29:15but only when we see it work in practice will we know the true impact
0:29:15 > 0:29:18on the countryside.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Shortly on Countryfile,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Helen's on the hunt for buried treasure deep underground.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30It's really quite gorgeous, isn't it?
0:29:30 > 0:29:34At the Sheepdog Trials, we go head-to-head in the show ring.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35Steady!
0:29:35 > 0:29:38But, it's the rain that's winning.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40And, what about the weather for the week ahead?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43The Countryfile forecast will reveal all.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01As well as its rain, Cumbria is rightly famous for its sheep.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05But that's not the only kind of farming around here.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Business is booming for a new brood of farmers,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15supplying one of the biggest free-range egg producers in the country.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Katie's been to find out more.
0:30:19 > 0:30:2414.5 million eggs come through this packing plant every year.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28Most of them come from farms that are less than 30 miles away.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30It's a huge hi-tech operation.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35But in this story, it's not the egg, but the chicken that comes first.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40That's because all the eggs come from free-range chickens.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44But just what does it take to be free range?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Well, these beauties must be free to roam,
0:30:47 > 0:30:49with at least an acre for every 800 hens.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Like these girls in here.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55There aren't any cages,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58just water, food and a lot of room to move around.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01It might look a little bit packed
0:31:01 > 0:31:04but they do have the option to go outside.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06They just don't always choose to do that.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09That's because of nurture, rather than nature.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13The chicken is a descendent of the Red Junglefowl,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16originally from northeast India and southern China.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20They are happiest in the protective cover the jungle provides.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22So, that's where these come in.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Should I hold the tree? - I'll hold it, how about that?
0:31:26 > 0:31:29We are essentially trying to create a jungle, is that right?
0:31:29 > 0:31:34Not exactly a jungle but yes, the principle of a jungle.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35And why are you doing that?
0:31:35 > 0:31:38It's to improve the welfare of the hens.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41To try and de-stress them a little bit.
0:31:41 > 0:31:48Have you found any results yet, are these chickens enjoying having more trees to roam around?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51There doesn't seem to be a lot of feather pecking going on,
0:31:51 > 0:31:57which is a sign that they are not stressed, are contented and generally quite happy.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Feather pecking being they peck each other.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01They peck the feathers out of each other.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04It's not something we've got a problem with.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09This isn't just a scheme dreamt up by Patricia,
0:32:09 > 0:32:11free-range egg producers across Cumbria
0:32:11 > 0:32:15are planting trees to provide happier habitats for their hens.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20It's backed up by scientists and big egg buyers, too.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Joy Clachan is a farmer and a scientist.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Her research is part of a nationwide study
0:32:27 > 0:32:31backed by one of the biggest purchasers of free-range eggs, McDonald's.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Our research found they feel at home in this environment.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36It provides everything they need,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39the shade, the shelter, the protection.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42As you can see, the birds absolutely love it
0:32:42 > 0:32:44and express so much natural behaviour.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47And is it not - sorry to sound cynical -
0:32:47 > 0:32:48a PR exercise for McDonald's?
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Not at all, no. For us, it's about proving
0:32:53 > 0:32:56that commitment to improving animal welfare.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Working in collaboration with our suppliers and their producers.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05The egg explosion in Cumbria is a triumph that came from adversity.
0:33:07 > 0:33:13The county was one of the worst hit by the outbreak of foot and mouth ten years ago.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17It forced many livestock farmers, like Patricia, into a rethink.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21We decided we needed to think about other options
0:33:21 > 0:33:23so we didn't have all our eggs in one basket
0:33:23 > 0:33:29and we decided to look into another means of farming,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31and this was what we decided on.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- How many hens do you have now? - 10,500.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- And you started with? - 4,000 in the first year.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41And we liked it so much that we decided to expand.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Once collected, the eggs from Patricia and 37 other farms
0:33:44 > 0:33:48from all over Cumbria come through here.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55It's a hi-tech operation. Owner Dave Brass is giving me a guided tour.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57This is where the eggs come in.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00This machine takes a picture of the eggs,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02it also senses which way round the egg is,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05because we want to put the eggs into the egg box point down.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Do any eggs ever break? It's going very fast, this machine.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13In half a million eggs a day, we lose maybe a couple of dozen.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Next piece of equipment is a crack detector.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20There are a lot of little hammers in there,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23and they hit the eggshell very gently and listen to the echo.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Now, the machine, the computer, knows where every faulty egg is and every good egg is.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30This is the bee's knees, state-of-the-art machinery.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33We use car-building robots to put eggs in boxes.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36If all eggs in this country were produced in a free-range way,
0:34:36 > 0:34:39would there be enough eggs for the whole country?
0:34:39 > 0:34:40In theory, yes.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43You got to remember that free range takes land,
0:34:43 > 0:34:47and an area the size of Dorset would be required for all of that.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51So it's fitting that within the rest of agriculture in the UK.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54While the egg-packing technology may be thoroughly modern,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57it's thanks to ancient, Asian ancestors,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00that the egg producers of Cumbria are giving their hens
0:35:00 > 0:35:03a free-range future.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11It's TB testing time again on Adam's farm.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14It's a moment all cattle farmers dread,
0:35:14 > 0:35:17but will Adam get the all clear this time?
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Today is a big day for us on the farm.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28We're TB testing.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30We've gone clear now for 10 months,
0:35:30 > 0:35:35and today is our routine six-monthly test.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38And usually, when the cattle have been out at grass all summer,
0:35:38 > 0:35:43we go down with TB again, so, I don't feel that optimistic, to be honest.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49And I've got good reason to worry.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53I've lost more than 70 cattle to this disease in the past 10 years.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00These are my beautiful White Park cattle,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03the herd was really depleted because of TB.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05We were down to three cows.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08So I went to Devon and bought seven new White Park heifers.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14They've all calved now and it looks like a really lovely herd, I'm really proud of them.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17But I heard some very worrying news the other day.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The farmer in Devon where I got the cattle from had his routine TB test.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24He hadn't had TB for two years, he had 20 reactors.
0:36:24 > 0:36:2720 animals that had to be slaughtered.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31So today, this herd, I'm very, very nervous about.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Although the cattle were tested before leaving Devon,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38you can never be 100% sure they're disease-free.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Cattle are creatures of routine, and on TB testing days,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44we're stirring them up, moving them around,
0:36:44 > 0:36:49there's bulls around that get upset, they start roaring at one another.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53And the cows are already worried about their calves.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55And I feel pretty stirred up as well.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Not an easy day.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01White Parks are classed as a minority breed,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05and I've worked hard to help conserve them.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Losing any would be a disaster.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13So, as the vet arrives, it's time to start the test.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18And then, straightaway...
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Reactor?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27This is one of the cows that we bought from the farm
0:37:27 > 0:37:29down in Devon, and she's a reactor.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32First cow of the test, and she's reacted.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36It's an absolute travesty. Complete disaster.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41'This one isn't looking good either.'
0:37:43 > 0:37:47- It's another one, Adam. - It's another one?
0:37:47 > 0:37:49That's a new one too, isn't it?
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- Yeah.- Oh, no!
0:37:53 > 0:37:57You try and try and build up your herd again,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00and you've got to buy in cattle if your herd is almost depleted.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02We've always bred our own replacements.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04And what have we done?
0:38:04 > 0:38:08We've either given them TB when they got here
0:38:08 > 0:38:10or we've re-infected our herd.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13This is something my dad has seen many times before,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15and it doesn't get any easier.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Today, this is just a total disaster,
0:38:17 > 0:38:24I mean, to get two so far, out of the new heifers, is just awful.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31- And I just don't know how we're going to go on. - HE SIGHS
0:38:38 > 0:38:42I feel terribly guilty, I may have reintroduced TB to my farm.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44What can you do?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48To make matters worse, these two White Parks are suckling calves
0:38:48 > 0:38:51and that leaves me with a bit of a dilemma.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54It's a tricky situation with the calves, because they haven't got TB,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58and we can decide to keep them on the farm and rear them
0:38:58 > 0:39:00or we can have them slaughtered,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03because they may be at risk of carrying it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06And I can't make my mind up at the moment,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09I'm afraid I can't think straight.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17So now, these animals that have reacted to TB have to be tagged
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and they take a sample of skin from their ear which is the DNA of that animal,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24to stop any higgery-jiggery-pokery with the tags,
0:39:24 > 0:39:28to make sure that the animal that's got TB goes to slaughter.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35All looks well for the rest of my White Parks,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38until one of my original herd gets tested.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41This is one of our home-bred cows.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43A heifer who's running with the bull now.
0:39:46 > 0:39:47Reactor.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- Another one?- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56She hasn't been with the visiting cows for very long,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59only the last couple of weeks.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04And strangely, it makes me feel a bit better that we had it anyway,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07so we haven't introduced it to the farm by bringing cattle with us,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11it's just on the farm and it seems like it's here to stay.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16But we've lost another White Park.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18All right.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24Watch the calf. Mind the calf!
0:40:24 > 0:40:27The vet doesn't find any more reactors among the rest of my cattle,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30but there are a couple that are borderline.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36This animal has got lumps, but they're not big enough
0:40:36 > 0:40:39to make it a reactor, it's what's known as an inconclusive.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43And so she will have to be tested again in 60 days,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- but like the rest of the herd will be.- Yeah.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51All that's left now are the last few of my highlands.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54It's not often I have favourites,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56but Eric has got a real place in my heart now.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01If he got TB and had to be put down, that would bring a tear to my eye.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06And thankfully, it's good news for Eric.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Yes!
0:41:11 > 0:41:15I'm not alone when it comes to the terrible effects of this disease.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Last year, around 25,000 cattle were slaughtered
0:41:18 > 0:41:20due to bovine TB in England.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23It cost us taxpayers around £90 million.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26The Government is currently deliberating on whether
0:41:26 > 0:41:30to sanction a badger cull in England to control the disease.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34'A solution, whatever it might be, can't come soon enough for me.'
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Right, so that's it, the test is over,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41we've got three reactors that will have to be slaughtered,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43and two are what are known as inconclusives.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46They'll have to be tested again before a decision
0:41:46 > 0:41:51can be made on them. So, it's a real shame.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I was really hoping that we were shot of it now.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57We've gone 10 months clear of TB and the animals have been
0:41:57 > 0:42:03out at grass grazing all summer, and they've got it again.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06So we go on this continual circle.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11After some time away from the animals,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13I've had a chance to think about the reality of the results
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and I've decided what to do with my White Park calves.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21I've isolated these three cows that reacted to the TB test.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23They have to be isolated to stop the risk of them
0:42:23 > 0:42:26spreading TB to the other cattle that are healthy,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29and they'll be slaughtered in 7 to 10 days' time.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32One of the dilemmas I've got now is that these two cows have got
0:42:32 > 0:42:36two calves that they're suckling, and there's a risk that these calves
0:42:36 > 0:42:40might have TB, so do I just decide to put them down, to slaughter them?
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Or do I rear them by hand-feeding them bottled milk
0:42:44 > 0:42:48and have them in a loose box to stop the risk of spreading TB to many of my other cattle?
0:42:48 > 0:42:51And they're such lovely little calves,
0:42:51 > 0:42:53I think I've got to give them a chance and I hope
0:42:53 > 0:42:55the outcome is positive,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59that these calves will survive and get through the next TB test
0:42:59 > 0:43:03and I will be able to return them to the herd as healthy animals.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Next week, I'll be visiting the shortlisted farms
0:43:07 > 0:43:10for this year's Farmer Of The Year
0:43:10 > 0:43:12as part of Radio Four's annual Food And Farming Awards.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23This is the high country, the roof of England.
0:43:23 > 0:43:29Where craggy mountains meet vast open moorland.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32And where market towns touch the clouds.
0:43:32 > 0:43:36Like this one. Alston is one of England's highest,
0:43:36 > 0:43:40we're 1,000 feet up and more than 15 miles from the next town.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43If it's remoteness you want, you've got it.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45There's been a settlement here since Roman times,
0:43:45 > 0:43:48those boys on day trips
0:43:48 > 0:43:51from Hadrian's Wall knew they were on to something.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55Because the area around Alston is loaded.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59It's not so much a case of there's gold in them there hills,
0:43:59 > 0:44:03as zinc and silver and most important of all, lead.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Lead is what put the area on the map.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10Mines sprung up all over the place, and if you know where to look,
0:44:10 > 0:44:14you can read its history in the hillsides.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16Even just looking at this bit of the landscape,
0:44:16 > 0:44:19you can tell that it's quite a heavily mined area, can't you?
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Yes, this whole top end of the valley
0:44:21 > 0:44:24is scarred, even where there are bits that have been grassed over.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Right the way up to the top and around the corner,
0:44:27 > 0:44:31it's all lead workings going back 300 years or more,
0:44:31 > 0:44:33and you can see the landscape hasn't recovered.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37All that brown waste, it's all waste heaps there, and the place
0:44:37 > 0:44:40is practically hollow with the amount of lead that's been taken out.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47Miners flocked to the area, the population exploded,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50but there was nowhere for them to live.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Solution - build homes, lots of them.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57These were wonderful houses by the standards of the day.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59Although it was just one room up, one room down,
0:44:59 > 0:45:01for a family of up to 10 or 11,
0:45:01 > 0:45:04it was much better than anything the workers had been used to,
0:45:04 > 0:45:07and they had outhouses at the back and toilets,
0:45:07 > 0:45:09and they had large gardens in the front
0:45:09 > 0:45:13where they were encouraged to produce their own vegetables,
0:45:13 > 0:45:16just for the sake of getting fresh air and exercise after
0:45:16 > 0:45:20being cooped up in the mine all day in the pitch black and the dust.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24They could come and be out in the sunshine, would you believe, and be healthy.
0:45:24 > 0:45:29Even so, a miner's life expectancy was just 45 years of age,
0:45:29 > 0:45:33and most of that would have been spent underground.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36To find out what life was like down there,
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I'm joining a team of local mine explorers.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43Alistair, it's a lovely, sunny day, yet we're going underground. Is it going to be worth it?
0:45:43 > 0:45:46It certainly will be, there's a lot to see down there,
0:45:46 > 0:45:49so, once we're kitted up, we can make our way in.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53OK. Boiler suit on, helmet on, are we ready, team?
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Lead the way, Alistair.
0:45:57 > 0:46:02These old mines can be dangerous, so it pays to have experts guide you,
0:46:02 > 0:46:07but once you're in, a whole new world opens up.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11There are beautiful dry stone tunnels.
0:46:11 > 0:46:16You can still see the rails used to wheel out the lead ore.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Here and there, pit props hold up the roof.
0:46:19 > 0:46:25But mostly, it's narrow passages, blasted out of the hard rock,
0:46:25 > 0:46:27flooded and dark.
0:46:27 > 0:46:33But shine a light, and the space glitters.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42The miners weren't down here for the views though.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46They were working eight-hour shifts in pairs.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49It was hard graft and slow going.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54Alastair, these are everywhere. Are these sort of drill marks?
0:46:54 > 0:47:00Yes, the miners would've drilled in here by hand in this part of the mine.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Once the drill hole was complete, they'd put gunpowder into the hole,
0:47:04 > 0:47:08pack it with clay, and then put a fuse in.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12When the rock was blasted, it blasted this piece of rock away,
0:47:12 > 0:47:14and leaves the drill hole there.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19They'd blast about two foot a day.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22It could take years to reach the veins of lead ore,
0:47:22 > 0:47:25but if they struck it rich they'd work around the clock,
0:47:25 > 0:47:29and all they had to work by was candlelight.
0:47:29 > 0:47:35- You can see on the wall there, can you see the dollop of clay?- Yes.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38That's what the miners would've used for their candles.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41They'd put the clay on the wall and then stick a candle in as a holder,
0:47:41 > 0:47:44and that allowed them to work hands free and see what they were doing.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47So the candle was their only form of light?
0:47:47 > 0:47:50Only form of light, yes. One candle per miner.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58What's this bit? It's totally different, isn't it?
0:47:58 > 0:48:01This is known as a horse whim chamber,
0:48:01 > 0:48:05and when the mines were working there's a shaft on the far side there
0:48:05 > 0:48:10that goes down to lower levels, and there would be a pony walking round in here,
0:48:10 > 0:48:14driving a winching system that would haul material up and down the whimsey shaft.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17Is this machinery? Was that often used?
0:48:17 > 0:48:22Yes, this is the remains of the actual winching system.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25So that stuff is potentially 300 years old?
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Yep, yep. Original timber and materials there.
0:48:30 > 0:48:35A time capsule, albeit a little rusty and rotten now.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39We've been going nearly an hour
0:48:39 > 0:48:45and still no sign of the galena, the valuable lead ore that kept so many miners busy.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49But it is there, you just need a keen eye.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52So this is it, is it? This is what they were looking for?
0:48:52 > 0:48:56I've got a sample here. That's the actual galena itself
0:48:56 > 0:48:59so you can see when it's first exposed it's quite shiny.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01It's really quite gorgeous, isn't it?
0:49:01 > 0:49:05It does have a certain percentage of silver within it as well,
0:49:05 > 0:49:08which helped make the mines profitable in the area.
0:49:08 > 0:49:14There's still plenty of lead ore here, it just became uneconomic to mine it.
0:49:14 > 0:49:20Cheaper foreign lead put paid to our home-grown industry at the start of the 20th century.
0:49:20 > 0:49:25An industry which had flourished since Roman times had gone.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30You could spend hours down there and you might get lost
0:49:30 > 0:49:32but you definitely wouldn't get bored.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36Shortly, I'm going to be sharpening my shepherding skills with the help of a few experts,
0:49:36 > 0:49:41and fingers crossed it'll be enough to beat Matt in the sheepdog trials.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45But, before that, here's the Countryfile weather forecast for the week ahead.
0:51:50 > 0:51:57.
0:52:11 > 0:52:17This is the North Country, where the Pennines rub up against the Lake District.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19Hidden between the two is the Eden Valley,
0:52:19 > 0:52:24my home and host to this year's World Sheepdog Championships.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28I'm here to take on Matt in a sheepdog championship of our own.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32Matt is very proud of his farming heritage, but so am I,
0:52:32 > 0:52:37and I know he likes to think of himself as a bit of a dab hand when it comes to handling sheep.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40I, however, have no experience handling sheep.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44That's why I'm calling on you, Mark. You're my guru for this,
0:52:44 > 0:52:50because I'm throwing down the gauntlet to Baker on my home turf so I've got to win.
0:52:50 > 0:52:51- We'll do our best. - Come on!
0:52:51 > 0:52:56I've enlisted the help of local farmer Mark Elliott.
0:52:56 > 0:53:00Together with his trusty dog Spot, he's one of this year's hot favourites.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04- To get him to come over, I say, "that'll do"? - "That'll do, Spot", yes.
0:53:04 > 0:53:05That'll do, Spot.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07Be a bit more assertive.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11- That'll do, Spot! - That'll do, Spot. Spot! That'll do.
0:53:11 > 0:53:12That'll do, Spot.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14- That'll do, Spot.- Good lad.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17- He's not really listening to me, is he?- No!
0:53:17 > 0:53:21'One word from me...and Spot does just what he wants!'
0:53:21 > 0:53:23How do I get him to go right?
0:53:23 > 0:53:26- The basic ones - for the right hand side it's "way".- Way.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27- And for the left it's "come bye".- OK.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32Come bye.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35That'll do. That'll do.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42Come bye. Come bye.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- Sit!- Ask him for the way.- Way!
0:53:45 > 0:53:47'Hmm, this could take some doing.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51'Luckily, Mark's going to be right by my side for the showdown.'
0:53:51 > 0:53:55- Lie down, lie down! - That's it!
0:53:57 > 0:53:59Spot, that'll do.
0:54:01 > 0:54:08Right, let battle commence. May the best presenter win and never mind the weather.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12- Come on, Spot. Here we go. - How are you doing, Helen? All right?
0:54:12 > 0:54:17- I'm very good.- You're fully trained up then, I understand? - I'm good. Well, I say that.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21- You've had a lot of training, I hear?- Well, not with this dog unfortunately.
0:54:21 > 0:54:26My dog Meg is no longer with me so I borrowed Tim from a good friend of mine, Gus Dermody,
0:54:26 > 0:54:30and not only have I borrowed his dog, I've borrowed his outfit as well
0:54:30 > 0:54:34- because the weather has taken a turn for the worst. - So Gus is a judge...
0:54:34 > 0:54:36You're literally in the judge's pocket?
0:54:36 > 0:54:40- Yes, absolutely. Actually, can I borrow your crook as well? - Yes, you can have that.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44- I'm fully kitted out now. - Right, well we're ready for this. Aren't we, Mark?- Yes.
0:54:44 > 0:54:45- Right.- Spot is poised.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49Will Spot listen to you, do you think? Because I've got no idea about Tim.
0:54:49 > 0:54:53Apparently Spot isn't too familiar to the female voice.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56- Right.- So Mark's going to walk with me and echo what I say.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59- You're just going to talk like that. - No problem.- OK!
0:54:59 > 0:55:05But there is a problem because we'll be lucky if the dogs can hear anything we say over this weather.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08I'm hoping I've got beginner's luck.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12An expert in the field, Matt's first to take on the course.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Pretty wide around the pen here.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19- Tim!- You've got to keep them flowing all the time.- Lie down.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23'It sounds simple - get five sheep through a gate and into a pen -
0:55:23 > 0:55:25'but these girls are stubborn customers.'
0:55:25 > 0:55:31- So through the obstacle, bearing right, and now they need to head for the pen.- Lie down. Lie down!
0:55:31 > 0:55:34- Yep, he's got them in the pen. - Oh, well done!
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Yay! Good boy.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40- What a good lad!- Steady!
0:55:40 > 0:55:43Not a bad start for Helen and Spot.
0:55:44 > 0:55:50- Oh, we've gone wrong.- Way. Way. - That's not too bad. The dog's going the wrong side.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52- He's keen, isn't he? - Come bye, you.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Good control there, keeping the ship nice and calm.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58- Lie down.- Lie down.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00Go on.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03Lie down, lie down.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05- Oh! It's a clean pen. - It's a very good pen.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11- Well, I thought that was impressive. - Very.- Very good.
0:56:11 > 0:56:16- I certainly was impressed. - My word! Helen, what are you doing on this field?
0:56:16 > 0:56:18You should be up there, competing!
0:56:18 > 0:56:23I think it's fair to say I had a very good teacher who chipped in now and again.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27- OK!- To be honest, we could have left Spot to his own devices.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29- He was quite happy out there on his own.- Brilliant.
0:56:29 > 0:56:34He thoroughly enjoyed it. Look, the sheep are sticking around. They want to know who's won.
0:56:34 > 0:56:35Gus, what's the result?
0:56:35 > 0:56:39Really, you were level pegging, but on a technicality you got it
0:56:39 > 0:56:44because Helen went and moved from the post, from the pen when you set the dog off.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46- What?! - Yep, unfortunately for you...
0:56:46 > 0:56:50That's a made-up rule, I didn't even know about it!
0:56:50 > 0:56:53Thanks ever so much. That's all we've got time for this week.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Con-gratu-lations!
0:56:55 > 0:56:59Next week we're going to be in the Mawddach estuary in Wales
0:56:59 > 0:57:04and we'll be revealing your favourite entry of the Countryfile photographic competition.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07But, from Helen's neck of the woods, it's come by for now. See you.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10You looked so cool until that gag.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12It's undermined the victory!
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:22 > 0:57:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk