0:00:25 > 0:00:29For Countryfile At Christmas we're in the sleepy Warwickshire village
0:00:29 > 0:00:30of Clifford Chambers.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33School children are rehearsing for their Nativity play,
0:00:33 > 0:00:35shepherds are watching their flocks
0:00:35 > 0:00:37and there's excitement in the air.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Well, you can't beat all of that Christmassy stuff,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43but what we really hanker after is a traditional village Christmas,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46where the whole community gets together to celebrate.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49So that's just what we're going to do.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Invitations have been sent to every house in the parish,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54school children have been recruited
0:00:54 > 0:00:58and there's a Christmas tree in the local woods with our name on it
0:00:58 > 0:00:59for the village green.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02It's a time of giving and sharing
0:01:02 > 0:01:06so we've decided to offer our guests a heart-warming Christmas taster.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10I'll be making a traditional figgy pudding.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Jules has got his four-legged friends in mind for our celebration.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17No Christmas gathering would be complete without a donkey or two.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22I'd like to think that you've got THEM how you want them.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- My sense is that they've got YOU where they want you.- Probably!
0:01:26 > 0:01:29LAUGHTER
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And whilst we get the village festivities organised,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34John is on the hunt for some traditional gifts.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36The most famous Christmas gifts of all,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38gold, frankincense and myrrh,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41aren't all that easy to come across here in Warwickshire,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44so my task is to find some local alternatives.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48For Adam, Christmas is a reminder of shepherds watching over their flocks,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50still a job that attracts the young.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Connor here wants to start his very own flock of sheep,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56so we'll be looking at what is the perfect breed for him.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Two miles south of Stratford-Upon-Avon,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15the village of Clifford Chambers claims to be the birthplace
0:02:15 > 0:02:16of William Shakespeare.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Apparently, his mother was escaping the plague,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23which was rife in Stratford at the time.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28This was the house in which locals say the Bard was born.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Historical evidence is scant,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34but whether or not Shakespeare breathed his first here,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37the village of Clifford Chambers does seem a pretty good place
0:02:37 > 0:02:40to get the measure of modern rural life.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41In Shakespeare's time,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44this village would've had more of a feudal set-up,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48with the Manor House, the church and workers' cottages,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51where people's lives revolved around the village.
0:02:51 > 0:02:52But in the 21st century,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56is that sense of community here still strong?
0:02:56 > 0:03:00'Martin Gorick has been the vicar of the local parish for ten years.'
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- Hi, Martin.- Really nice to see you, welcome.- Thank you.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08This beautiful church here, does this still provide
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- a focal point for community life even nowadays?- It is.
0:03:11 > 0:03:17Like a lot of rural villages, a lot of communal places have been lost.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21The shops are gone, the local school has gone.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23There's still a pub, I'm glad to say,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25though that's disappearing in a lot of villages.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29You must see a lot of rural life, you work in other parishes,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33do you get a sense that today there's a thirst for people wanting
0:03:33 > 0:03:36to come together in their community, that they don't get anymore?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Nowadays, a lot of the natural points of contact have been lost,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41particularly in villages.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44You're not gathering in the fields, harvesting crops together.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48People are tending to be sitting in front of computers sending
0:03:48 > 0:03:51e-mails and working from home
0:03:51 > 0:03:55or going off to the office in another town, coming back to the village.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59But we've noticed, I have to say, a real desire to come together,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03particularly a festival times - harvest, Christmas, Easter,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05the numbers have gone up and up.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Not just here, but across the country at those times.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- And is this because people actually need one another?- It could well be.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So what do you think of our Christmas get-together here?
0:04:16 > 0:04:20I think it's a great idea. We're delighted to welcome you here.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24It's a really lovely village and you will make it extra special.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- Fantastic. There'll be a few surprises.- OK.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28And we'll have a sing-song.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- I'm looking forward to the sing-song, I think!- We'll see you then.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Look forward to it, bye.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36So that's the vicar on board, now for the villagers.
0:04:36 > 0:04:3780-year-old Maurice Woodfield
0:04:37 > 0:04:39has lived in Clifford Chambers all his life,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and when he was a boy,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Christmas here was the most wonderful time of the year.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Christmas started here in about October.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53What happened, the headmistress, Mrs Dodd - Miss Dodd, rather.
0:04:53 > 0:05:00She had to compile a list of what you would like off the Christmas tree
0:05:00 > 0:05:06which was organised by the Clifford manor, which was Mrs Rees Mogg.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08There was no expense spared
0:05:08 > 0:05:11you weren't restricted to what you could have off the Christmas tree.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Really? So what did you ask for?
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Oh, I, oh, I had, the first time, I had a train set.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Lovely train set, a Hornby train set.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24And these presents were given to us
0:05:24 > 0:05:28just after Christmas at the Christmas party, given to us by Mrs Rees Mogg.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- You must have loved that family. - Ah, they were fantastic.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37It was a well-run village and in those days nobody locked their doors,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40you just went and come.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42And we had a lovely time at Christmas.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45And what's Christmas like these days here?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's not a community affair like it used to be.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52And I don't think these things will ever come back.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- It's more individuals, each household does their own thing.- Sure.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Well, we're going to have a go this afternoon
0:06:00 > 0:06:02at creating this party once more.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- Do you think that's a good idea? - I think it's brilliant.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- Thanks ever so much for doing it. - Oh, no, that's all right.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- We've got a couple of donkeys coming.- A couple of donkeys.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Is mine one of them?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17# Little donkey, little donkey
0:06:17 > 0:06:20# On the dusty road... #
0:06:20 > 0:06:24These children are from the Willows Primary school in Stratford.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27They'll be singing some traditional Christmas carols
0:06:27 > 0:06:29to guide us through the programme.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33And right now, just like their classmates, children
0:06:33 > 0:06:37across the country are dressing up as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds,
0:06:37 > 0:06:42three kings and innkeepers to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47As everybody knows, to complete the scene you need a stable and a donkey.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51But here in Warwickshire, they've got them in miniature.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Standing tall at a maximum of 32 inches, these mini donkeys
0:06:55 > 0:06:59originate from Sardinia, where they were used for carrying heavy loads.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Here in the UK, there are around 300 of them all together.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Miniature donkey fanatics Julia and Robin Boyce own 12.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- I've never seen a miniature donkey before.- Have you not?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Well, this is Sparkle. - Hello, Sparkle! Is she fully grown?
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- She's fully grown. She's nine years old.- Hello!
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I can see why they are so appealing.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- But what makes them so special to you?- They are so gentle.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28They are so willing. And I just love donkeys.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30From the word go, when I had my first donkey,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33all those years ago, I just adore donkeys.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38A standard donkey, nearly 40 years ago, was my first one.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39And then I don't know
0:07:39 > 0:07:42whether you move up to miniatures all down to miniatures!
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- Who have got over here? With Robin? - This is Red.- Bring him over, Robin!
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Let's have a look. This is Red. - This is Red, yes.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I gather that donkeys brought you two together?- Well, this is true.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I moved in here, and I have a little paddock,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58and the girl from over the road came over one day and said,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00"I've got a donkey, can I keep it in your paddock?"
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- This was the girl from over the road? - That's the girl!
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- And that was what, how long ago? - 30-odd years ago.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09And here we are, with the pack of miniature donkeys,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and you are still together?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Little did you know there would be a herd!
0:08:13 > 0:08:18'Keeping these little asses in top form takes a lot of donkey work,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20'but for Julie, it is a comfort and joy.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:24It is probably worth pointing out, Julie, that this regime,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28this morning groom, is something that happens every day of the year.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- Every day. - Would you say they are spoilt?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34No, I would just say that they are just looked after properly.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I have to say they are the best-kept donkeys I have ever come across.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I come up here, I brush, I trim, I bath, I tray,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44and I could spend several hours a day,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and the time just zooms by, because I just love it.
0:08:47 > 0:08:53I would like to think that you have got THEM how you want them.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- My sense is that they have got YOU where they want you.- Probably!
0:08:57 > 0:08:59LAUGHTER
0:08:59 > 0:09:04These little fellas also need donkey pedicures every 4 to 6 weeks
0:09:04 > 0:09:06from farrier Ben Hart.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09In comparison to a regular horseshoe or pony shoe,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11it really is tiny, isn't it?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Yes. There are a lot of fundamental differences.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Obviously, the shape of the foot is quite different.
0:09:16 > 0:09:23As you can see, this small pony shoe here, the size difference
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and also the shape differences.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- The horseshoe is quite round. - Much more curved, isn't it?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31I suppose the obvious point is that it's a lot wetter here
0:09:31 > 0:09:34than it is in the Mediterranean, where they originally come from.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Yes. That's another reason
0:09:36 > 0:09:38why we need to keep on top of them regularly,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41because the foot will absorb some moisture,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and the donkey's feet are used to dry, arid countries.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47It looks brutal, but it doesn't actually hurt.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- It is just like trimming a nail. - It is.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53It's just like trimming our nails. They grow exactly the same.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59'But it's a donkey derby once they are out of the yard.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03'They can't resist grazing on some nice juicy grass.'
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Oh, how about that?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08An idyllic sort of Christmas scene, really.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15# The weather outside is frightful
0:10:15 > 0:10:16# But the fire is so delightful
0:10:16 > 0:10:20# And since we've no place to go
0:10:20 > 0:10:22# Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. #
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Julie shows her donkeys every year, and they have won hundreds of prizes.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30At this time of year, the females are in season, so our next job is
0:10:30 > 0:10:33to take one of her boys for a walk to let off some steam.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36He won't be allowed near the girls until January.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- This is Candyman and Full Moon. - Which one's which?- This is Full Moon.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Hello, you.- And this is Candyman.- He is your stallion?- He is the stallion.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46So do we need to be careful?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Yes. I'll go in and close the door,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50get him on his head collar, and bring him out.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Even though they're tiny? - Yes. They are very, very strong!
0:10:57 > 0:11:03- Is he going to take you for a walk? - Hopefully not!- Right then, come on!
0:11:04 > 0:11:08We'll go for a little walk, shall we? A little short pace.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- It's so typically donkey, isn't it?- It is!
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I've never taken a donkey for a walk before.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14But he's definitely in charge.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Especially when he spots the ladies in the field opposite,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19and his animal instincts kick in.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22There are the girls! How about that?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Oh, he's noticed them!
0:11:24 > 0:11:25DONKEY WHINNIES
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Good boy! good boy, good boy! Look at them!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35You are all just showing off, you lot. Let's face it.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39Come January, all of his Christmases will have come at once, won't they?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Yes. Just got to wait for January!
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Good boy!
0:11:43 > 0:11:46'Now he has got himself all hot under the mane,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48'this book should help cool him off.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51'We have asked Julie and Robin to bring some of their miniature donkeys
0:11:51 > 0:11:54'to the village later, to help create our Christmas scene.'
0:11:56 > 0:11:57Well, of course,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01the spirit of Christmas involves the giving of gifts.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Arguably, there is no wiser man than John Craven, so who better to
0:12:04 > 0:12:09send out on the hunt for today's gold, frankincense and myrrh?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19In the Christmas story, gold, frankincense and myrrh
0:12:19 > 0:12:22were taken to Bethlehem from the East.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Well, I'm in the middle of England,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26so not a lot of chance of finding them here.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I think a little imagination is going to be needed in our search
0:12:29 > 0:12:33for the next best things to take to our village festivities.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Let's start with myrrh,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39an exotic tree resin with a very distinctive flavour.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Fergus Drennan is a forager,
0:12:44 > 0:12:49and at Brandon nature reserve near Coventry,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51he thinks he can find exactly what I need.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Fergus, I am looking for something here in the countryside
0:12:54 > 0:12:55that resembles myrrh. Any ideas?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59I have a really good idea, but we are going to have to search for it.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Oh, right.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- What have you found, then? - Here is the myrrh-like plant.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16The clue is in the name. Smyrnium olusatrum.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19What we call it in English?
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Alexanders.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25It was a very popular vegetable with the Romans, who introduced it.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28And the myrrh-like smells are in the leaf.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- So are you supposed to smell it or taste it?- Both.- Oh, really?
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Smell that and crush it as well.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40At first, there's no taste, and then suddenly...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'As if a leaf wasn't enough, now for the root.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45'Fergus has cleared the soil off one of them,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48'but is it going to have the same impact?'
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- It is stuck in my throat, this taste now!- It can be an acquired taste.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58- So... Do we nibble on this now, then? - Yes. Have a chew.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03It is all cleaned up. The root is even stronger than the leaf.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08It certainly is. It has got a kind of carrot-y taste, but very strong.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10There is sweetness in there,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13but the myrrh taste develops afterwards,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15and catches you by surprise!
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It certainly does! That's myrrh, is it?
0:14:23 > 0:14:27I'll put my local version of myrrh into my gift box.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29But it's not really an incense,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33which is what the three Kings' gifts to baby Jesus were all about,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36so as I search now for frankincense,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39maybe we can find something that perfumes the air.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Not so far away, at Garden Organic in Royton,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46there is an abundance of plants and trees.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49It's the perfect place to continue my search.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51And, as luck would have it,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54head gardener Andy Strachan is a bit of an incense expert.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57He even has real frankincense for me to smell.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02And it does have a pungent, bitter smell about it,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I think.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11See, I love that. That is a beautiful, beautiful aroma.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Frankincense, like myrrh,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14is a tree resin found in Africa and the Middle East.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19And as Andy's is imported, it doesn't really help me.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22My problem is that these have come from distant lands, exotic places.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- I've got find something from Warwickshire!- Yes.- Its equivalent.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Are we going to be able to do that, do you think?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33I think we are, because all trees have sap, and at some stages,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36they will have some seepage of sap,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38so I'm sure if we look around the trees,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42we will find some bits and pieces that might be similar.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Whether they smell as beautiful as this, I'm not really sure.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49'So, can we find a British alternative ripe for the taking
0:15:49 > 0:15:50'in the depths of winter?'
0:15:50 > 0:15:56- So what sort of tree is this one, Andy?- This is a common cherry.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Prunus avium.- There is some resin, by the look of it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It is absolutely ideal for what we are looking for.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09- That is quite soft, actually.- Like a hard, crusted jelly, isn't it?
0:16:09 > 0:16:14It is, isn't it? That is really interesting, isn't it?
0:16:14 > 0:16:15Have you considered this stuff before?
0:16:15 > 0:16:21No, never! I look at it and think that they are bad wounds,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23or damage to the tree. I'd never thought about extracting it
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and trying to burn it and see what it smells like.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28So it is a really interesting thing we are doing here.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31'We've collected a few samples from around the orchard,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34'so it's back to the greenhouse to try them out.'
0:16:36 > 0:16:38No, there is a definite smell there.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40'What about gage plum sap?'
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It smells a bit like the oven might be on fire!
0:16:46 > 0:16:50'Nothing quite fits the bill so far. Our last hope lies with this.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52'Morello cherry sap.'
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Fingers crossed.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56It is still quite nice,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59though, it is not like our first burnt-toast one at all.
0:16:59 > 0:17:05No. I think we can say that we've got our very own cherry incense.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07I think you're absolutely right.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10But the problems these days, especially round Christmas,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14people are expecting an incense that smells a bit more Christmassy!
0:17:14 > 0:17:15I would agree entirely.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24But there is nothing quite like the smell of pine at Christmas, is there?
0:17:24 > 0:17:26No, it is absolutely wonderful, and when you bring the tree
0:17:26 > 0:17:29in the house, it is just all that smell from outside comes in.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Andy and I have come to a Warwickshire Christmas-tree farm
0:17:33 > 0:17:38south of Birmingham to continue our search for a festive fragrance.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41We're not sure what to expect,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43so we're getting a bit of insider knowledge.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49- You must be Geoff.- Hi, morning! - Hello! Good to see you. This is Andy.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Morning, Andy!- Morning, Geoff!
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- How many Christmas trees have you got here, then?- More than a million!
0:17:55 > 0:17:59We should have no difficulty in finding a little sap.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01We are looking for sap to make incense, Christmas incense.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Yes. It is rather unusual, but yes, we can find that.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08And it turns out there is plenty of it around.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10What you think of that, Andy?
0:18:10 > 0:18:14That is just perfect for we're looking for, isn't it?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- Got your knife? - I most certainly have!
0:18:18 > 0:18:21They are just like the little tears we want.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25You've got high expectations of this, Andy, haven't you?
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Off straightaway.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30It should be full of volatile oil,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33so it really should go quite quickly.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- That is fantastic, isn't it?- Yes.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37I think it is definitely the best we have come across.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39What you reckon, Geoff?
0:18:39 > 0:18:43How are we going to capture the smell to bottle it? We can sell it!
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- It is a winner, isn't it?- We need to capture it!- There's some in my tin.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- We have got quite a bit spare, haven't we, John?- Yeah.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- It is going to be a hit. - That is just beautiful.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57'Just one more job before I head off.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'It seems a shame to leave a forest full of Christmas trees
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'without one for our village festivity.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:07That's our tree sorted and two of my gifts.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08I still have to find a third,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12though, and that is gold, somewhere naturally here in Warwickshire.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15And I am off in search of that now.
0:19:15 > 0:19:21# We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas
0:19:21 > 0:19:26# We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. #
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Along with Christmas trees and goodwill to all,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32another essential ingredient at Christmas is food.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35It's definitely a big deal to me.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38# Good tidings we bring... #
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I'm walking in the spectacular grounds of Charlecote Park,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43one of Warwickshire's great Tudor estates.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46And where better to discover the delights of a pudding
0:19:46 > 0:19:50which became popular during the time of Shakespeare?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53I'm talking, of course, about figgy pudding.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56# Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
0:19:56 > 0:19:57# Oh, bring us... #
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Legend has it that a young William Shakespeare
0:20:00 > 0:20:02was caught poaching in the grounds of Charlecote Park
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and it was soon afterwards that he left Stratford
0:20:05 > 0:20:08to seek his fame and fortune in London.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Food historian Gerard Baker has come to Charlecote to make us
0:20:11 > 0:20:14a traditional Tudor-style figgy pudding.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Let's hope he's come by his produce legally.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- Hello, Gerard.- Hello, how are you?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I'm well. I'm looking forward to this.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Well, we've got some tremendous festive treats for you.- Excellent.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I wondered if I can give you a little job whilst we chat.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Go for it.- Would you mind chopping up these figs with the scissors?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Sure thing.- And then I'm going to prep some suet.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36So, what's the history of figgy pudding?
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Figgy pudding was one of many sweet/savoury mixes
0:20:40 > 0:20:44that has a timeline that goes back before Shakespeare.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Figs, along with other dried fruit,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48would have been used in medieval cookery to sweeten
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- because, of course, sugar was so scarce.- Yes.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53We talk about savoury and sweet, you're grating suet,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- that's definitely savoury. - That's definitely savoury,
0:20:56 > 0:21:01although sweet and savoury weren't really distinguished greatly
0:21:01 > 0:21:02in the course of meals
0:21:02 > 0:21:04in the way that they are today.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06The Tudors started that tradition
0:21:06 > 0:21:09because they were such fans of sugar.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11So they actually had a sweet course at the end of a meal
0:21:11 > 0:21:15whereas prior to that, animal fat was often mixed in
0:21:15 > 0:21:18with grain and pulses in porridges
0:21:18 > 0:21:21along with dried fruits and spices
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and those wet, sloppy porridge mixtures from the Middle Ages
0:21:25 > 0:21:28evolved into the puddings that we have today.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Right, figs done.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Figs done.- Suet done? - Suet done.- Excellent. What's next?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35What's next is breadcrumbs so what I'm going to do
0:21:35 > 0:21:37is cut the end off that square loaf
0:21:37 > 0:21:40and just ask you to pull out the crumb from that.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44The easiest way to do it
0:21:44 > 0:21:45is just to pull the crumb
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- out the centre and tear it into the figs.- OK, got it.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53So when did figgy pudding become a Christmas thing?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Well, Christmas pudding and fig pudding were always
0:21:56 > 0:21:59traditionally allied to Christian festivals.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Partly because they're expensive,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04so they would have been kept for celebratory occasions.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06And, of course, partly because
0:22:06 > 0:22:09things like the fig is the first fruit mentioned in the Bible
0:22:09 > 0:22:12so often there were biblical connections to the way
0:22:12 > 0:22:13foods are used and celebrated.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16A lot of the things that we do celebrate Christmas with
0:22:16 > 0:22:19have their origins in Tudor or Elizabethan times
0:22:19 > 0:22:23because that's when we started to get food from the New World,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25so we start seeing
0:22:25 > 0:22:27turkeys and potatoes and greater spices in variety.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Our traditional figgy pudding comes together by chopping up
0:22:38 > 0:22:41the candied ginger, mixing it into the suet then combining it
0:22:41 > 0:22:44with our figs, breadcrumbs and eggs.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Last in is the milk.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Is this too wet now? - No, that's good.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53It needs to be some of the dropping consistency.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54- That's right.- Yeah.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Once transferred to a cooking bowl,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01our pudding is wrapped in greaseproof paper and foil
0:23:01 > 0:23:05and popped into boiling water to steam for a couple of hours.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Right. Now that's cooking,
0:23:09 > 0:23:14we've got a lovely thing to show you here which is the Coventry God Cake.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18- What is that?- Well, it's a kind of triangular mince pie.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22The triangle representing the Holy Trinity, hence God Cake,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26and it's made with a very simple early form of pastry,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28quite chunky, but one that will be lovely and flaky
0:23:28 > 0:23:31when it's cooked, so I'm going to crack on with these.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- I look forward to that. - Make plenty for later on.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Yeah, that'll be great. See you later at the get-together.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- I shall be there. - Smashing, thank you.- See you later.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48I think Gerard's food is going to go down a storm
0:23:48 > 0:23:50with the people of Clifford Chambers,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54especially if there's a tipple to wash it down with.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Let's see what the wise man John can come up with.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02After tracking down British versions of frankincense
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and myrrh in the form of pine tree incense...
0:24:05 > 0:24:06- That's fantastic.- It is.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10- '..and the roots of the Alexanders plant.'- It develops.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13There's just one more gift for me to find.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15A local source of gold.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Mines in the North of Warwickshire made this county famous for coal,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23not gold - there's none of it around here.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25But my search for the best alternative
0:24:25 > 0:24:27has brought me to these wetlands,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30created during the production of liquid gold.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Thankfully, this isn't the liquid gold,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37it's just a by-product.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Everyone will have to take my word for it,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41but this is a pretty unpleasant smell here.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It's a bit like slurry, really.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47'This sludgy, bubbling scum is what's left over from
0:24:47 > 0:24:49'the ale-making process and, in rural Warwickshire,
0:24:49 > 0:24:54'they've found an environmentally friendly way of dealing with it.'
0:24:54 > 0:24:55So, what happens here, then?
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Well, we output from the brewery, which we'll have a look at later
0:24:59 > 0:25:02and you'll see some of the solids and some of the yeasts
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and hops we need to deal with and the spent grains.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08It's quite a slurry, so it needs to be broken down.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- Is it still a little bit alcoholic? - A little bit alcoholic, yeah.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15We see occasional ducks going around in circles and, indeed,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17a few mad geese running around.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- Once that's dealt with, what happens then?- These banks are planted
0:25:21 > 0:25:24with willow, hazel and alder and the root systems
0:25:24 > 0:25:27go through the clay and allow the water to flow through the system.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31So the water is actually getting cleaner and cleaner
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- as it progresses along?- Yes.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37At the start, it's quite heavy with solids,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40and at the end, it's actually good enough to drink.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43We may not do that today, but take my word for it.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47'So that's what's left over, but where's the gold itself?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50'Well, traditionally, ale is a dark brown colour
0:25:50 > 0:25:54'but here they also produce a truly golden brew,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57'Floran Vialan is the man who makes it.'
0:25:57 > 0:25:59This is the colour beer I'm used to drinking
0:25:59 > 0:26:01and have been all my life.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03How do you achieve that colour?
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Well, it's called amber beer and those colours, I brewed it
0:26:08 > 0:26:11with a darker malt. The more dark malt you use,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13the more darker the beer will be.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- That's very nice.- For example, that. - I like that.- Good.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22But I must say I don't think I've ever tasted a gold ale.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27- And that is made with this much lighter malt, is it?- Exactly.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34That is very nice and it does taste like a beer and not a lager.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I'll tell you what, I'll have a keg of it.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41Well, my quest is over
0:26:41 > 0:26:44for Warwickshire versions of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I've got my gold ale, and, in here,
0:26:47 > 0:26:53I've got my Alexander root as myrrh, and pine sap as frankincense.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56So I'm off, bearing these gifts to our village party.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I just hope their Christmas tree has arrived in time.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03And it's here! All 20 feet of it.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Now all we have to do is get it in that hole.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09'This is just one of the eight million
0:27:09 > 0:27:12'real Christmas trees which will be bought this year.'
0:27:12 > 0:27:13What about that?
0:27:14 > 0:27:16One village Christmas tree.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19'Here's what's still to come on tonight's Countryfile.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21'Adam guides a potential shepherd of the future.'
0:27:21 > 0:27:26- So, what's your favourite so far? - The Balwens, I think.- Well done you.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30'Ellie is making the most of the dark winter skies to go stargazing.'
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Surprises me, actually.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I didn't thank you could do something quite as simple as this.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37'And we'll hopefully be bringing comfort and joy
0:27:37 > 0:27:39'to the villagers of Clifford Chambers.'
0:27:39 > 0:27:40Wahay!
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Lovely. Now all we need are a few decorations
0:27:44 > 0:27:45and Jules is on the case.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49# Deck the halls with boughs of Holly
0:27:49 > 0:27:52# Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
0:27:52 > 0:27:55# 'Tis the season to be jolly
0:27:55 > 0:27:59# Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. #
0:28:01 > 0:28:04'Christmas, undoubtedly the busiest time of the year.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06'Everyone's rushing around like mad,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08'gathering all sorts of decorations
0:28:08 > 0:28:11'to dress the house for the festive season.'
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Look at this. Wreaths, stockings, fairy lights, tinsel.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16When it comes to Christmas decorations,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18the list is potentially endless.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20As, indeed, are the queues
0:28:20 > 0:28:21because the chances are,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24everybody is trying to buy exactly what you are.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26But it wasn't always like this.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Rewind to medieval times,
0:28:29 > 0:28:31and it wasn't the high street that was so busy.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32It was the woods.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Everything you needed to deck your halls could be found in here,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38if you knew what to look for.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- Richard.- Hi there.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49'Richard Cook is a specialist weaver
0:28:49 > 0:28:52'and fashions ye olde Christmas decorations
0:28:52 > 0:28:55'out of just about anything and he's going to show me how.'
0:28:55 > 0:28:58If you can twist it, turn it, I can weave it.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Yes, yes, no problem at all.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- I'm looking at this willow here. - Right.- There's some willow.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06We have some willows, it's...
0:29:06 > 0:29:10yep, it's been dampened off, so we can work something with that,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14for example, if you just wanted a quick start,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- if we bend it, one, two, three, four, five, OK?- Go like that?- Yep.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21And it sort of goes twinkle, twinkle, little star,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24and that's taken a couple of seconds,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26doesn't require any batteries,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29just a bit...a few twists with the hand.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33- I'm making mine up now. - That's near enough!
0:29:33 > 0:29:37- It's like I say to everybody, have a go!- You're very kind.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I can see you're underway with some wreaths here.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41What are you making those out of?
0:29:41 > 0:29:45You can use the stuff that you would take down to the tip on a Sunday.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49This is a bit of Russian vine, just give it a twist
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and you get the basic of the wreath.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55This is just brush, isn't it, the sort of stuff we'd throw away.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Yeah, throw away or burn it or compost it.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00What is it about the wreath that makes it
0:30:00 > 0:30:03such an important part of Christmas?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Wreaths were used in celebration throughout the year.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Obviously, at Christmas,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13it used to show that you've gone full circle throughout the year.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15The whole circle of life.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20'Decorations are all well and good, but back then,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22'the festive period was all about survival.'
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Matt, just how important were woodlands to our way of life
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- way back when? - Woodlands were fundamental.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31People would have worked in them in the winter,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34when they'd finished on the fields, the agriculture was over.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37They'd have been in the woods, managing the woodlands,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39collecting fuel for the fire to cook on,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41to get them through a hard winter.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44But why so much activity during the winter?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47You'd think we'd leave that for the summer.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50That's the time to be cutting trees down, when the sap's down,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53the leaves are off the tree, it's stopped growing.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54So for managing woodland,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57winter is one of the most important times of year.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00It is a time to be managing the woodland, yes.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01For centuries, our ancestors
0:31:01 > 0:31:05would have coppiced trees to make the wood go further.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Oak, hazel and ash naturally regenerate when cut down,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and throw up lots of new shoots.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14What would you use that for, for example?
0:31:14 > 0:31:18That could be a beanpole, for use in the veg patch, or hazel hurdles.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22This is a hazel that's clearly overgrown itself a little bit.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24It's what we call overstood,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26it hasn't been cut for a very long time.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30We could still use pieces like this, but the large, overgrown parts
0:31:30 > 0:31:32would go for firewood or charcoal-making.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Working out here in the bleak midwinter is tough,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40so the well-prepared would have put dinner on early.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Woodsman Mike Ashton has something cooking to warm us all up.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Look at this! Hi, Richard!
0:31:46 > 0:31:48You got down here in a hurry, I don't blame you.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Hello, Mike, how are you? - Very well, you?- Yeah.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Now, this is what it's all about, isn't it? A good woodsman stew.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Definitely. This is venison stew,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59they'd have caught the venison in the woods.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Could have been rabbit, or it could have been a pheasant as well.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- But this is venison.- You've got plenty of fuel for the fire.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08We fell the trees, we use the ash, this is seasoned ash.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13- We'd used some for making charcoal as well.- Was charcoal that common?
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Was it the major fuel of the Middle Ages?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18It was common, they'd have used the scrap wood
0:32:18 > 0:32:20they couldn't make into good items like chair legs,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23put them in the charcoal kiln to use as fuel later on.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27(MUFFLED) This is so hot! HE LAUGHS
0:32:27 > 0:32:31'Wow, that WAS a winter warmer. But there's no time to relax.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34'Matt's set up a traditional pole lathe, and it's my job
0:32:34 > 0:32:37'to turn some local wood into some Christmas candlesticks
0:32:37 > 0:32:39'for our village do later.'
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- A simple case of putting my leg on there?- Yeah. OK.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Right hand at the back of the chisel, left hand steadying it.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- And then draw it down?- Pushing the chisel in as you're pedalling down.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54- Nice, steady rhythm.- It's quite satisfying, isn't it?- It's lovely.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57The wood is green wood, it's still got the sap in, it's softer
0:32:57 > 0:32:59- and easier to cut.- Yeah.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11The standard you're looking for is one of these.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14That's very nice, isn't it? OK, that's what I've got to...
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- That's what you're aiming for. - ..got to get to.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Right, leave it to me, mate. How long have we got?
0:33:25 > 0:33:28# While shepherds watched their flocks by night
0:33:28 > 0:33:32# All seated on the ground
0:33:32 > 0:33:35# The Angel of the Lord came down
0:33:35 > 0:33:40# And glory shone around. #
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Animals play a central part in the Christmas story.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51The three wise men with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
0:33:51 > 0:33:55were often depicted on camels heading off to Jerusalem.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem with a donkey
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and ended up in a stable with cattle lowing.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03And, of course, there's the sheep.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07Modern sheep farmers in Britain don't need to stay out at night
0:34:07 > 0:34:10with their flocks for fear of wolves,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13but they still need to keep a close eye on them.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Bill Meadows has been farming here in the fields
0:34:15 > 0:34:18just behind Clifford Chambers for 21 years.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26Do you need to be amongst your sheep quite as much as they used to
0:34:26 > 0:34:28in the nativity days?
0:34:28 > 0:34:30You don't have to be amongst them as regards
0:34:30 > 0:34:34watching them all night in that sense, on the low lands.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36But you do need to be with your sheep to make sure...
0:34:36 > 0:34:39see their reactions, how they're reacting.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Is one acting in a different manner?
0:34:42 > 0:34:44It may have something wrong with it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47It's those observations of signs of problems in them.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50We do get predators, foxes will pick them off at times.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Especially if the ewe has got a few lambs or one's weak.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57And I suppose when the sheep become valuable, then poachers too?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Yes, that's increased dramatically last year
0:35:00 > 0:35:02with the price of lambs in the recession.
0:35:02 > 0:35:08- Right.- We've seen cases of several hundred vanishing at night.- Wow.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12It's well organised, lorries arrive and load them up away from buildings,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15farmers go in the morning and find them gone.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Yeah, that's been a real problem at times.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20So you still need to watch your flocks?
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Yes, watch them closely and at least bringing them inside now
0:35:23 > 0:35:26will keep them safe for the winter and things like that.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Fantastic, in they go.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Bill has kindly agreed to donate a couple of his sheep
0:35:36 > 0:35:40for our Countryfile village get-together a bit later on.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42And sheep are at the forefront of Adam's mind this week
0:35:42 > 0:35:43as he's on a mission
0:35:43 > 0:35:46to help a shepherd of the future find his perfect flock.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I'm going to meet somebody who's asked me for advice
0:35:57 > 0:36:00on what sort of sheep they should keep on their farm.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06'Hello, my name is Connor, I'm 12 years old.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09'My dad has 30 acres and he says I could get some sheep.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12'I was hoping to contact Adam from Adam's Farm.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16'I would like to ask him about what sheep to buy.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20'I watch Adam every week on Adam's Farm.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23'I reckon he should have his own show, he rocks.'
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- Hi!- Hi, are you Connor?- Hi, Adam. - Bore da, as they say in Wales!
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- How are you?- I'm fine, thank you, how are you?- Good, thanks.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34I'd love to have a look around your field.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Pop your wellies on and we'll have a look.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40'First impressions are that it certainly looks like
0:36:40 > 0:36:42'a great place to grow up as a young lad.
0:36:42 > 0:36:43'But how about those sheep?'
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Have you got any sheep at the moment?
0:36:45 > 0:36:50- Yeah, we have three sheep. Two ladies and one ram.- Is that right?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52And how many acres of grass?
0:36:52 > 0:36:56We have 30 acres, all fenced and ready to be eaten by sheep.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Great! Fantastic.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'He shares the friendly family pet - a Charollais ram -
0:37:05 > 0:37:07'with his older sister.'
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- Smart-looking boy. - He is very strong.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12'But now Connor wants his own flock.' Hello, fella.
0:37:12 > 0:37:19- Now then. He's friendly. What a lovely spot, look at the sea!- Yeah.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I tell you what, as someone who wants to be a farmer,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25this is a young boy's dream, isn't it?
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- Yeah!- What an amazing place. - Nothing better.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30What sort of research have you done,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32what sort of breeds do you think you might like?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Well, Balwens, because they're rufty-tufty.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40- Well, the Balwen, that's a little Welsh ewe there, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43The Balwen's the same size as her, a Welsh sheep,
0:37:43 > 0:37:45except they're beautifully marked.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49They're black with a white tail, white socks and white blaze.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Pretty little sheep, and they're a rare breed.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55While you're young, you really want something you can handle, don't you?
0:37:55 > 0:37:59The Balwen fleece is a little bit coarse, and not very valuable.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03At least they'll be a decent size for you to be able to turn over,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- trim their feet and look after them if you need to.- Yeah.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10And the best place to show Connor some fantastic local breeds
0:38:10 > 0:38:12is at the Welsh Winter Fair.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16But before Connor and his mum and dad arrive,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19I want to sample a few festive flavours.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- Would you like to try?- I'd love to try the salmon. Wonderful.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- All the way from Crickhowell. - Lovely.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- That's our oak-roasted salmon. - Superb.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31That's a lovely little starter.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- Adam, come and try some Welsh sausages.- Look at this!
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Main course, thank you very much. Delicious.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Goodness me, these look wonderful.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Absolutely beautiful, these are Christmas pudding mince pies.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- Goodness me, made out of ice cream?- Correct.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Look at that, we've done it all, we've even got dessert.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50'Delicious! But I mustn't get too distracted.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52'I need to help find those sheep for Connor.'
0:38:52 > 0:38:55It's all about showtime, panazz and sparkle.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57And this one gets extra sparkles. Look at that!
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Like a Christmas tree!
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Aw, how cute is that?
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Look at that!
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Isn't it lovely?
0:39:11 > 0:39:14If you've got some sheep, you need a sheepdog.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16And remember, they aren't just for Christmas.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'The show's a great stomping ground for old hands.'
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- How long have you been trimming sheep for?- About 50 year.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24- 50 years!- Yes.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- Ever since you were two?! - No, a bit more than that!
0:39:28 > 0:39:29'And young ones too.'
0:39:29 > 0:39:34- Doing well, thank you. - Can you say ta-ta?- Ta-ta!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37The Welsh mountain sheep have to be really hardy
0:39:37 > 0:39:38to survive up in the Welsh mountains
0:39:38 > 0:39:41but there's lots of different colours, shapes and sizes.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44So those are the pedigree Welsh mountains, the white ones,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47and across here are the prettier ones.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52These are Torddu and these are Torwen -
0:39:52 > 0:39:54a different colour derivative.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57This young lady's walking a couple of Balwens along
0:39:57 > 0:39:58and that's what Connor's interested in.
0:39:58 > 0:40:04'Right on cue, the Owens arrive and I've a treat in store for Connor.'
0:40:04 > 0:40:08They've let us come into the show ring here.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12These are all lambs and these are the hill breeds,
0:40:12 > 0:40:14so all the Welsh hill breeds here to choose from.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16So, let's see what you like the look of.
0:40:16 > 0:40:21So these are pedigree Welsh mountain. What breed? What particular breed?
0:40:21 > 0:40:22- Talybont Welsh.- Talybont Welsh.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Lots of different white Welsh mountains. What do you think to them?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Well, they're a great sheep but we'd like more colour in it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Sorry to reject you.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Here's some with a bit of colour, what about these?
0:40:34 > 0:40:37They're great. We've got a mixture in these sheep
0:40:37 > 0:40:39and that's what we want for the farm.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43What you've got here are badger-faced and they're two different colours.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46There's the Torwen, which has a black body and a white belly,
0:40:46 > 0:40:50and then the Torddu, which has a white body and a black belly.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- They're just reverses of one another, really.- Yes.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57But they produce a good-quality lamb, great mothers, real survivors.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Which do you prefer? - I prefer those two
0:41:00 > 0:41:02because of the colours in their faces.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yes, that bit of tan in their face. They are lovely.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09- Good starter. Let's move on and see others. Here's your Balwens.- Yes.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11What do you think to them?
0:41:11 > 0:41:15They're nice. They've got a white and black colour to them
0:41:15 > 0:41:17and that's a mixture and what we're looking for. So...
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Lovely. They look stunning when you get a whole flock of them,
0:41:21 > 0:41:22with that black and white.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25They really stand out. Yeah, lovely little sheep.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- One of the smallest Welsh hill sheep. - Yes.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- So quite small and not a very big lamb for the table.- No.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37- But I'm told the meat is very sweet. It's supposed to be delicious.- Yes.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Sh! Close their ears!
0:41:39 > 0:41:42So, try and remember what you've seen here
0:41:42 > 0:41:43and have a think about it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Whenever you've got a flock, looking at them every day,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51you really want to love them. They are going to be part of your life
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- and so you want to be happy with them every day.- Yes.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55So what's your favourite so far?
0:41:55 > 0:42:00- The Balwens, I think.- Balwens.- Yes. - Well done, you. We're getting there.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03'Connor's head's been turned by the Balwens,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05'which I think are perfect for him.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09'They're small, so easy to handle, wonderful mothers and very hardy.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11'So let's see how he gets on in the auction.'
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Can we get a buyer's number, please?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Right, so that's your buyer number - 214.
0:42:20 > 0:42:21So you bid and if you get it,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24hold the number up and they know who it's gone to.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- There. Look after that. - Great, thank you.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29'Connor has a limit of £240.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33'He'll be doing the bidding himself, which is quite a responsibility.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37'So all that's left is words of wisdom from his nervous parents.'
0:42:37 > 0:42:41- Once you've got to your limit, just stop.- Yes, there is a limit!- Yeah.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- I'm terrible for going beyond my limit.- There is a limit, OK, honest!
0:42:45 > 0:42:48- Shall one come in with me?- Don't look at your mother, look at me!
0:42:48 > 0:42:50There is a limit!
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Right. 402 in the ring.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59- Are you excited?- Yes.- Nervous! - Are you excited?- Yes!
0:42:59 > 0:43:03'Soon enough, our lot comes through
0:43:03 > 0:43:06'and Connor is more than keen to start bidding.'
0:43:06 > 0:43:09A cracking pair of lambs this time for you.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Ewe lambs they are. 29 kilos.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15'The auctioneer starts the bid off at £150 but with no takers,
0:43:15 > 0:43:16'he drops it to 80.'
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Right, you're in.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20AUCTIONEER SPEAKS RAPIDLY
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Go on.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27- And again.- £100 bid. 102? At two. 105 bid.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30At 108. 110? 110 bid, coming in now 12.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34At 112, 15. 115. 18? At 118. 20. Thank you very much, near side.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38- At 120. 120 bid. Missed anyone out? - That's it, you've got 'em.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Anyone else? Cracking good pair of ewe lambs.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44At 120. 120 bid. Up for sale at 120.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47- Yeah!- Hold up your thing. - Thank you very much. 214.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50Well done. Fantastic! Congratulations!
0:43:50 > 0:43:55Hey! Got your first sheep!
0:43:55 > 0:43:58'I'm really chuffed for Connor. Hopefully I'll be back next year
0:43:58 > 0:44:02'to see how this young shepherd has got on watching over his new flock.'
0:44:04 > 0:44:07# We three kings of Orient are... #
0:44:07 > 0:44:12Adam helping a new shepherd kick-start his flock.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14# Field and Fountain Moor and mountain... #
0:44:14 > 0:44:18Earlier on, thanks to the nativity of Willow Primary School Stratford,
0:44:18 > 0:44:20we got a bit of dramatic reconstruction
0:44:20 > 0:44:24of the moment the archangel Gabriel appeared unto the shepherds.
0:44:24 > 0:44:28But the messages from above didn't stop there.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32# O, star of wonder, star of night
0:44:32 > 0:44:34# Star of royal beauty... #
0:44:34 > 0:44:37Another part of the Christmas story that captures our imagination
0:44:37 > 0:44:43is the three wise men who travelled from the East bearing gifts.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45A curious part of their story
0:44:45 > 0:44:48is the rising of a big, bright star in the sky
0:44:48 > 0:44:52that they followed hundreds of miles across the desert.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Here in Britain, it's the Winter months that usually provide
0:44:56 > 0:44:59the best conditions for stargazing.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02I'm meeting Dr Johanna Jarvis, who's chosen one of Warwickshire's
0:45:02 > 0:45:07darkest spots for our rendezvous, hence the infra-red cameras.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11- Hi, Jo, how are you doing? - Hi, Ellie. Nice to meet you.- You too.
0:45:11 > 0:45:12Seen much so far this evening?
0:45:12 > 0:45:16Not so far but it's looking good for later. I'm laying in wait.
0:45:16 > 0:45:17Excellent stuff!
0:45:17 > 0:45:22Winter is quite a good time of year, why is it so good for stargazing?
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Well, we get nice, long nights. Very dark nights.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28And the atmosphere is nice and still as it's cold.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31Just like Earth heats up when it gets warm over the summer,
0:45:31 > 0:45:32so does the atmosphere.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36The problem is, the atmosphere boils like a pan of water would.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39So all that turbulence can result in a star changing in brightness,
0:45:39 > 0:45:40changing colour slightly.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44So let's say I was to want to start stargazing, what kit would I need?
0:45:44 > 0:45:47Don't worry about starting with something like this.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51This is worth a few thousand pounds. Don't spend that much.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55- Step away from the expensive one. - Yes!- What else is there?
0:45:55 > 0:45:57- Things you can start with are these. - Ooh!
0:45:57 > 0:46:00First point, I would say, get a good pair of binoculars.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02That surprises me.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05I didn't think you could use something quite as simple as this.
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Yes, the name of the game in astronomy
0:46:06 > 0:46:09is trying to collect as much light as you can.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11You've got two big 50mm lenses on those binoculars
0:46:11 > 0:46:14that will collect a lot more light than your eyes can
0:46:14 > 0:46:17and it will magnify everything by about 10 times.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20- That's good.- It's a good place to start.- Start with those.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- This looks interesting. What's this? - This is the next step up.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Spend a few hundred pounds on this.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27Stick it on your Christmas list.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Yes. Doesn't need any setting-up. Take it straight outside.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33So, given we're suffering cloudy conditions here,
0:46:33 > 0:46:37- is there anything else to look at? - Technology comes to the rescue.
0:46:37 > 0:46:42- Ooh!- What you can see on the computer screen here
0:46:42 > 0:46:45is what we should be able to see in the night sky,
0:46:45 > 0:46:46were it not for the clouds.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51- Lots of software like this is freely accessible.- Wow! It's incredible!
0:46:51 > 0:46:54You've got all the constellations marked out
0:46:54 > 0:46:57and one of the most important things at this time of year,
0:46:57 > 0:46:59the planet Jupiter.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02It's big. It would be very clear, were it not for the clouds.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Is that how we'd see it, that big?
0:47:04 > 0:47:08Well, we can actually zoom right in on Jupiter and have a look at it.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11That is the view you'd get through a telescope.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13- Wow!- Even just that small one,
0:47:13 > 0:47:17you'd pick out the planet as a disk with cloud belts across it
0:47:17 > 0:47:22and pick out the four Galilean satellites in orbit around Jupiter.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24What other things, during this winter,
0:47:24 > 0:47:26would be really good to look out for
0:47:26 > 0:47:28and relatively easy for people to find?
0:47:28 > 0:47:31A constellation that most people will know is the constellation of Orion.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34It actually represents a man out hunting.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38He's got two hunting dogs and he's fighting Taurus, the bull.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42- All very dramatic.- I'm sure I've never seen that detail in the sky!
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Orion is a really interesting constellation
0:47:45 > 0:47:48cos you can track the entire process of stellar evolution.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50We've got Orion's belt -
0:47:50 > 0:47:52three stars across his middle.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55You've got what look like three stars hanging from his belt -
0:47:55 > 0:47:56being his sword -
0:47:56 > 0:47:59but if you look just with a pair of binoculars,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02you'll realise the middle of those three stars
0:48:02 > 0:48:04doesn't quite look like a star any more.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06That's actually the Orion nebula -
0:48:06 > 0:48:08a big cloud of gas and dust -
0:48:08 > 0:48:12and you've actually got stars being born inside that cloud.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14Your next step from there is the star Rigel,
0:48:14 > 0:48:17making up one of Orion's knees.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21Really bright, blue star. Prime of its life.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23Opposite extreme, you've got Betelgeuse -
0:48:23 > 0:48:26or Beetlejuice for astronomers with a sense of humour.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28A really obviously red star.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32Even with the naked eye, you'll see it as being really, really red.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36And that star is very, very close to the end of its life.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38We can see how unstable it is but we don't know
0:48:38 > 0:48:40HOW unstable it needs to get
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- before it blows up in what we call a supernova.- Wow!
0:48:43 > 0:48:45Going back to our Christmas story,
0:48:45 > 0:48:48what are the scientific theories around the bright star
0:48:48 > 0:48:50that rose for the three wise men to follow?
0:48:50 > 0:48:52We've got three theories.
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Either it was a very bright comet,
0:48:54 > 0:48:58which would move across the sky and potentially lead three wise men.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02You could have a supernova - a star blowing up.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07Or even just a group of planets all sitting at the same point in the sky.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10Around 4BC, you've got Jupiter, Saturn and Venus
0:49:10 > 0:49:13all sat very, very close together in the sky.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16So with a telescope, you'd be able to separate them
0:49:16 > 0:49:18but they didn't have that technology.
0:49:18 > 0:49:22So looking with their eyes, they'd see that as one very bright star.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26- Very interesting stuff. A new take on the nativity story.- Definitely.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- Excellent!- A science take. - Excellent.
0:49:34 > 0:49:39Well, the children are here and their lanterns are lit. Very good.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42The locals look like they could be in fine voice.
0:49:42 > 0:49:43MUTED CHEERS
0:49:43 > 0:49:44Before their jaws freeze,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47let's find out what the Countryfile forecast
0:49:47 > 0:49:49has in store for us for the week ahead.
0:51:50 > 0:51:57.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Welcome back to Clifford Chambers,
0:52:12 > 0:52:15where our mission was to recapture the spirit of Christmas.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17We've invited the villagers
0:52:17 > 0:52:20to get together and join us for a festive celebration on the green.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22We were never planning a silent night
0:52:22 > 0:52:24but something calm and bright
0:52:24 > 0:52:27and we are making the most traditional entrance possible,
0:52:27 > 0:52:30on board these wonderful Warwickshire camels!
0:52:30 > 0:52:33- It's quite bizarre!- Although villagers wouldn't arrive on camels,
0:52:33 > 0:52:37gatherings in villages like this used to happen in rural communities
0:52:37 > 0:52:40at Christmas every year but somehow it's all been forgotten.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43This will be the first time it's happened here in years!
0:52:43 > 0:52:47- Lead on, wise men!- I've got a faster one than you!- And Jules! Sorry!
0:52:47 > 0:52:50- PEOPLE CHEER AND APPLAUD - Hi!
0:52:50 > 0:52:52How regal does this feel?
0:52:52 > 0:52:55Ooh! Hang on, who's going down first?
0:52:55 > 0:52:59- I'm going...ooh! On our way! - Hang on, John.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03- Well done, Jules.- All right, John? - Well done, camel.- Very graceful(!)
0:53:03 > 0:53:08- If I lean back...whee! That was a bit sharp!- Right!
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- Wa-hey!- Hello! Just ride it down.
0:53:10 > 0:53:11Oh, very good.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15- Ooh! That was pretty elegant. - That was absolutely delightful.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17'We pulled off our descents quite gracefully.'
0:53:17 > 0:53:19- Figgy pudding, anyone?- Yes, please.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21'Whilst Ellie and I catch up with our guests,
0:53:21 > 0:53:24'John and Jules are displaying their Christmas offerings.'
0:53:24 > 0:53:28- Some candlesticks.- Here we come with our gifts.- What have you got, John?
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Well, my gold, frankincense and myrrh - locally produced.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36- This is gold ale.- Hey! - Gold ale.- I made that.- Well done!
0:53:36 > 0:53:38- Do us a favour.- Candles in there?
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- Candles in there.- I'll put the wreath out.- There we are.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43There. Very Christmassy!
0:53:43 > 0:53:44Well, the Christmas spirit is flowing,
0:53:44 > 0:53:46but how is Ellie's pudding going down?
0:53:46 > 0:53:50Vicar Martin Gorrick is about to taste it.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54- Tell me what the verdict is. I made it.- Did you? Fantastic, Ellie!
0:53:54 > 0:53:57- Thank you!- Really, really good.- So what do you reckon to our gathering?
0:53:57 > 0:54:00I think it's wonderful! Really, really nice.
0:54:00 > 0:54:05- Got lots of friends here from the village.- All excited to be together.
0:54:05 > 0:54:09- Sort of cold...- Yes! But a warm feeling.- Exactly. Exactly.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11A very warm feeling. Really nice.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15Do you think you'd do a gathering like this in future years?
0:54:15 > 0:54:16Oh, I think so.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20If we could get a band out here, sing some carols, it would be brilliant.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Excellent. Good community spirit.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25- We like it. I need to restock. - Where's it all gone?
0:54:25 > 0:54:28- I'd better replenish. Nice to see you. See you in a bit.- Thank you.
0:54:28 > 0:54:29I'm on the hunt for Maurice.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33He's lived in this village for 80 years and when he was a lad,
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Christmas was more of a community occasion.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Maurice, can I interest you in a God cake?
0:54:37 > 0:54:39Yes, you can. Thank you ever so much.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Before you shove that in your mouth, what do you think of all this?
0:54:42 > 0:54:46- It's beautiful. Never seen a gathering like it for years.- Really?
0:54:46 > 0:54:50- Beautiful.- Did you think it would ever happen again?- No.- No.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52- I'm ever so pleased.- Aw!- Yes.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54And here we are, foot of the Christmas tree,
0:54:54 > 0:54:56which is sparkling away beautifully.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Everybody's here having a great time.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01What did you think to the arrival on the camels?
0:55:01 > 0:55:04Well, that was brilliant. You got tears in my eyes with that.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07- Aw! Maurice, bless you! - Great, Matt. Thanks for coming.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11- Listen, a very merry Christmas to you.- And to you.- Aw, my friend!
0:55:11 > 0:55:13- Anyway, enjoy that. - I will! Thank you!
0:55:13 > 0:55:17PEOPLE CHATTER AND LAUGH
0:55:17 > 0:55:20- It's a great atmosphere.- Fantastic! - Enjoying yourself?
0:55:20 > 0:55:23- How long have you lived here? - 53 years.- Oh!
0:55:23 > 0:55:26- And never seen anything like this? - No, we haven't.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29What do you think of our miniature donkeys?
0:55:29 > 0:55:31Would you like one of these for Christmas?
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Here you go! Here's your candle.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Are you going to sing for me in a minute?
0:55:35 > 0:55:37I want to hear your singing voice.
0:55:37 > 0:55:42What I've got here is a bit of mistletoe. Give us a kiss. Mwah!
0:55:42 > 0:55:46- Very nice.- They're nice, are they? - You haven't got any reindeer, John.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49- No!- Not there but how about this one?!
0:55:51 > 0:55:54There really is a wonderful Christmas spirit here.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56- I think it's been a fantastic success.- It absolutely has.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00It wouldn't be a Christmas gathering without a Christmas song.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- Indeed. Shall we do some singing, everyone?- ALL: Yes!- OK!
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Here we go, after three, one, two, three!
0:56:06 > 0:56:08# We wish you a merry Christmas
0:56:08 > 0:56:10# We wish you a merry Christmas
0:56:10 > 0:56:15# We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
0:56:15 > 0:56:19# Glad tidings we bring yo you and your kin
0:56:19 > 0:56:22# We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year
0:56:22 > 0:56:25# So bring us some figgy pudding... #
0:56:25 > 0:56:29Well, that is all we've got time for from our village Christmas.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32We do hope you're feeling as Christmassy as we are.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35Next Sunday is Christmas Day, so there won't be a Countryfile
0:56:35 > 0:56:37but we will be back at 8.00 on Wednesday 28th,
0:56:37 > 0:56:41when we'll be looking back at some of Britain's finest country estates.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44But, from all of us here in Clifford Chambers, it's goodbye and...
0:56:44 > 0:56:46# We wish you a merry Christmas
0:56:46 > 0:56:51# We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
0:56:51 > 0:56:55# Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin
0:56:55 > 0:57:00# We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. #
0:57:00 > 0:57:03CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:57:23 > 0:57:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:57:27 > 0:57:31E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk.