Lancashire Countryfile


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The sands here are vast.

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The sea makes a mirror of the sky, shimmering gold and silver.

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It's quite something, isn't it? Morecambe Bay.

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Stretching out like one endless canvas.

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A place of stunning views and fabled sunsets, if I'm lucky.

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The bay here near Silverdale is notorious for other reasons too.

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Any moment now, a wall of water is going to come

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tearing down that channel faster than a horse can gallop.

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And when that happens, it'll be my cue to get in and go after it.

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Also, Matt's hitting the heights in North Wales.

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And the countdown is on.

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There's just one week to go till the first ever Countryfile

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ramble for Children In Need.

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We're ready to ramble, are you?

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Adam's showing the farming ropes to a familiar face.

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I've just hitched the trailer on because I'm off to pick up

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some very special little cattle for a friend of mine, and hopefully

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the new owner has got everything in place for when I drop them off.

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And John is here for some important news.

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It's one of my favourite jobs on Countryfile -

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revealing the overall winner of our annual photographic competition.

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And today is the day.

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It's one of these.

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The winning photograph will be on the cover of the Countryfile

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calendar for 2016,

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and I'll be letting you know how you can get hold of one.

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Morecambe Bay.

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A stunning horseshoe-shaped expanse of more than 120 square miles,

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where the vast panorama turns from landscape to seascape

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and back again with the rhythm of the tides...

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..an ever-changing kaleidoscope of light and colour.

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I'm on the bay's eastern shore between Morecombe

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and Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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This area is a little-known treasure, often missed by the masses,

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who zoom past on the M6 heading north to the Lake District.

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But there's a new way to see it.

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The Bay Cycle Way -

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81 miles of brand-new cycle route that forms part of

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the 14,000 mile national cycle network.

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Route number 700 follows the coast and hugs it where it can.

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I'm in Morecombe right now,

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but it starts a few miles behind me in Glasson Dock and then

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follows the bay all the way round and ends in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

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I'm doing just a short stretch, but that's the beauty.

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You can do as much or as little of the route as you like.

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Susannah Bleakley is from the Morecambe Bay Partnership.

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They're a charitable outfit who raised the cash

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and got behind the route.

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-Hello, Susannah. How are you?

-Hi, Anita.

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This is quite something, isn't it?

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What a brilliant view.

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It is stunning, and we're so proud of it,

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and that's part of what the cycle route is about.

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Tell me more about it. Why open it?

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We want people to come to Morecombe Bay and dawdle and enjoy

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and explore. Not really to race through,

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we want to people to explore what Morecombe Bay has to offer.

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It's all about food and drink, heritage sites

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and a stunning landscape.

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Lots of places where I can stop and have a pint and a pee.

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We've said that. There is a loo, a view and a brew every ten miles.

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Perfect. My kind of cycle path.

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The Bay Cycle Way takes you on a mixture of traffic-free paths

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and quiet lanes.

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The entire route has only ten hills,

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so it's great for all ages and abilities

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from families to the elderly to those hardy cyclists

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aiming to do the whole route in one go.

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It's not just to bring people in.

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I mean, I will bring people in

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and that's fantastic, but I think there's a lot

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of local people who don't really understand everything

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that the bay's got to offer.

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Certainly when we cycled the whole route the first time we found a few

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little nooks and crannies that we hadn't seen before.

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-And are you a hardcore cyclist?

-Oh, good lord, no.

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I've been cycling for years, but push it up the hills,

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enjoy the flat bits, particularly like the downhill bits.

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It's a route than anybody can do. It's mostly flat.

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The couple of hills that there are, you can just push them up

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and there's nice eateries along the way anyway.

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'So if you want a gentle trip soaking up the delights of one

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'of the least known, but beautiful stretches of Britain's coastline...'

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Get on your bike.

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Sometimes it's one vast expanse of sea,

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other times an endless stretch of sand.

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But at all times Morecombe Bay

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spreads out as far as the eye can see.

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Just look at those colours.

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You know, even on a bad day that is a sight worth seeing.

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You can walk for miles and miles along this sand and mud,

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and fishermen actually do.

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More often than not you can see them peppered along the horizon.

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They work the sands with tractors and carts,

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fishing for the famous Morecombe Bay shrimps.

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It all looks very benign, just the place for a peaceful stroll.

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But don't be fooled, the area between Silverdale,

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Grange-over-Sands and Arnside is known as the danger triangle.

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It's one of the most treacherous stretches of coastline

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in the country.

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The sands are constantly moving.

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One of its main channels has shifted its course by more than

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a mile in just three years.

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And there's lethal quicksand to trap the unwary.

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And then of course there's the tide itself.

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KLAXON BLARES

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In the summer, a klaxon at Arnside sounds twice a day warning

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people that the tide is coming in.

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Even so, the local coastguard is called out on average

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50 times a year.

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Nigel Capstick is the coastguard officer here.

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It's his job to try to keep people safe around this coastline.

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What kind of rescues are you involved with?

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Who are you rescuing?

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Most of the stuff that we get involved in is people getting

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cut off by the tide, because the tide does come in so quick.

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We've had incidents where people have actually walked across

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a six inch deep, ten foot wide channel and they've gone out there,

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15 minutes later they look back and the channel's 100 metres wide

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and six foot deep.

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Not only that, the quicksand here is a particular type that

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once you sink into it, it solidifies around your feet and that makes it

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impossible to get away from unless we actually get you out of it.

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You have a klaxon to warn people that the tide's coming in,

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-does that work?

-Yeah, it's brilliant.

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However, we do have people that don't know what the siren is for.

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-Right.

-Only a few years ago we had a lady pushing a buggy

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with a small child in,

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was halfway across the estuary, in front of the viaduct.

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-The second siren had gone.

-But I can imagine...

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That sounds stupid now talking to yourself, you think,

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"Oh, what was she thinking?"

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But that's the kind of thing I would do.

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-It's a gorgeous day, I would take the pram out there.

-Yeah.

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-Is there anyway to do that safely?

-No.

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There's nowhere around here that's safe to go out

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unless you're on a guided walk.

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There's an added twist at Arnside.

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As the tide comes in across the bay,

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it's funnelled into the estuary here.

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This often results in a fast-moving wave or bore.

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Yes, it can be dangerous, but do you know what?

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If you come prepared and you respect nature,

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there is a way to enjoy this natural phenomenon up close.

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Yep, I'm going to ride the bore in a sea kayak.

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But I'm in safe hands.

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Andy Hill is an expert instructor who knows these waters well.

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This kind of activity is you taking on the elements,

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but as long as we do everything correctly

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and the safety's good, then we'll come back and play another day.

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Andy, I'm excited.

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I'm slightly nervous because, as you say, there is element of danger.

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How likely is it that I will go in?

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I would have thought quite likely.

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Oh, right. Well, thanks for the vote of confidence.

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And it's a good job I can swim.

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No, it's on a low tide today and I know you've got kayaking experience,

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but we've got to be prepared for getting wet.

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This is why we have such technical equipment on.

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I have the kit. I'm in yours and Mother Nature's hands.

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-Let's get ready for this.

-I'll look after you.

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So it's straight onto the water for a quick practice

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before the bore comes rushing in.

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Just practise turning it. Just have a play now.

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See what you can do with it.

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If you go upside down, I'll come and rescue you.

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You just tell me what to do and I will attempt to do it.

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KLAXON BLARES

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Whoo-hoo!

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That sound tells us the tide is on its way.

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And whilst it's not creating a big wave, it sure is moving.

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It's underwhelming this one,

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but you can see the front edge of it here, look.

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You'll be amazed how fast that's going.

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It doesn't look it...

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You can see that, yeah.

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-Just show you how power...

-Whoa!

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I did say it will turn you around.

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Excellent.

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-Good effort. Well done.

-Whoop!

-It's all right.

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The speed of the water picks up as we approach the viaduct.

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It can reach 18 knots as it surges through.

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Good. Perfect line.

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So what we're going to do is get high enough up

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to go right between that gap.

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-You can see the water's picking up a little bit there.

-Yeah.

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Right down the middle. Make it look good.

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Don't you capsize here, now.

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Whoo!

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Over into that clean water, Helen. Over into the clean water.

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Oh, my word. This is brilliant. It's so unpredictable.

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-It's like being on top of a jacuzzi.

-Well done.

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What an absolutely glorious day.

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-Thanks, Andy.

-You're welcome.

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Shall we do the next one in Thailand?

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Even though that was a fairly gentle tide,

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it was still moving at a fair lick.

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I'm just glad to have stayed dry.

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Do you know what?

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That bore was a mildly underwhelming one, but that is the joy of nature.

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You really never know what you're going to get.

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Next time around I could come back here and get a wave this big,

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which churns up some pretty serious speed.

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The only thing you can be certain of out here is, on the water,

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you get a unique perspective of something that is already stunning.

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In no time at all the bay has filled,

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narrow channels giving way to fast tides -

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a reminder that nature here is powerful as well as beautiful.

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Now the problem of TB and cattle is back in the news at the moment

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thanks to the trial badger culls taking place again in England.

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But as Tom's been finding out, some believe increasing farm bio-security

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would be a more effective method of tackling the disease.

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-TOM:

-Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most controversial

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issues in the countryside today.

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Last year, 26,000 animals were slaughtered in England alone

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and fighting its spread costs an estimated £101 million.

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But despite this we still don't agree on the best ways

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to eradicate the disease,

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especially when it comes to the trial badger culls.

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Out of all the methods for tackling it,

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the cull is by far the most contentious.

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The idea is simple.

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If you can reduce the number of infected badgers,

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fewer cattle should get the disease.

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And those who support the cull say it plays an essential role in

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tackling bovine TB and that includes the government in Westminster.

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The scientific basis for this comes from

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the randomised badger culling trial.

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It showed that a 70% reduction

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of badgers should lead to

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a 16% fall in cases of

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bovine TB in the same area.

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It's still the best evidence we have,

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although those figures are often disputed,

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as is the value of the cull.

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But opponents say it's impractical, inhumane and challenge

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the extent to which badgers are the cause of the problem.

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To add to the controversy, the trial culls of the last two years

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in Gloucestershire and Somerset have cost nearly £17 million.

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But culling is not the only option.

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In fact, in Wales it's not even an option at all,

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nor in Scotland where the incidence of bovine TB is far lower.

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In Northern Ireland, it is being tried on infected badgers

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in a small pilot area.

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Even here in England where culling is going on

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in three affected counties,

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it's only one part of the TB control strategy.

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That strategy includes vaccination, regular testing,

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movement controls and bio-security.

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But could more be achieved by making our farms more bio-secure?

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Bio-security is basically the protection of farm animals

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from any type of infectious agent from parasites

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to bacterial infections like TB.

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Here in Wales, just like in England,

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bio-security is an important weapon in the fight to eradicate bovine TB.

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I'm on my way to join a vet visit with a difference.

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He's here to inspect the health of the farm rather than the livestock.

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I've had a look at some of these double fencing arrangements.

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Those are great.

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Local vet Evan Lloyd is visiting Allen Lloyd's farm

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as part of the Gower Project which offers farmers bio-security advice.

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Today, he's checking up after his initial visit.

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And I have to say that you've improved dramatically.

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Sorry to interrupt you, gentlemen. How is he doing? How is he scoring?

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He's doing all right.

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He's getting quite high scores from me today.

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You were talking about this gate here. What were the issues here?

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We're looking at this gate in terms of making the yard bio-secure,

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preventing badgers from coming in. Allen has put some mesh gates here.

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He's hung it as low as possible,

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but there's still a little bit of a gap here.

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So they could squeeze under here.

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One of the simpler solutions would be to place a concrete strip

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along the bottom of the gate,

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so it's actually flush with the gate when the gate is closed.

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Allen, what do you think about taking these measures?

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They cost money after all.

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We feel it is important because we just don't want any disease,

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including TB, coming onto our farm.

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When he comes here again, he won't be able to get

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his little finger under the gate, let alone his foot.

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Farm checks like this are part of a Wales-wide TB support programme,

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which also includes best practice workshops

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and cattle purchasing advice.

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How effective do you think bio-security can be overall?

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The principles of bio-security are well-established.

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A lot of it is common sense.

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It's about drilling down to farm level

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and seeing what farmers can do to help themselves and to reduce risks,

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and of course to protect their stock and to protect their livelihood.

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So that's a flavour of what is happening in Wales.

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But what about over the border in England,

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where there is the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe?

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Well, some believe a lot more needs to be done to protect English farms

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against the disease.

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From using silage, to dealing with the issue of fences and gates

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to keep wildlife away from cattle,

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to looking at just good disinfectant bio-security measures

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for boots and clothing, going in and out of farmyards.

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But if you do all of those things, I think we can make a big difference.

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Dominic Dyer is from the Badger Trust,

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which campaigns against the cull.

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Would you like to see the government put more effort into bio-security?

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Not just the government, I'd like to see the farming industry taking

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it seriously, particularly the National Farmers Union.

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I'd also like to see the food retailers do more.

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It is a food chain initiative, everyone has to join forces to help

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farmers to really deal with this problem.

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Dominic says the main problem is the spread of TB by transmission

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from cattle to cattle, and points to figures from scientists

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at Imperial College London which indicate only 6%

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of bovine TB infections come directly from badgers.

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Defra says stopping cattle from infecting other cattle is

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already a key part of its TB eradication policy.

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Its measures include tight controls on movement, regular testing,

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and better information at livestock auctions.

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And later in the year, this goes live -

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essentially it is an online hub, bringing together all

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the useful on-farm bio-security information in one place.

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But Defra argues the spread of TB from badgers to cattle is

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a far bigger problem than the Badger Trust believes.

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To support that view, it also uses figures from Imperial College.

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These statistics show when you take into account herds

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which are indirectly infected, then, in high risk areas,

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badgers are responsible for around 50% of TB cases in cattle.

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It's worked with the industry to

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create a bio-security action plan,

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which includes a range

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of proposed measures to reduce

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contact between badgers and cattle.

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But how effective will those measures be?

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Here at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester,

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there's an ongoing research project looking at how bio-security

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can reduce the risk of transmitting the disease.

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Feeding troughs are thought to be hot spots for

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badger to cattle contact.

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Dr Rhiannon Naylor is trying to design a new simple way

0:18:430:18:47

to keep them apart.

0:18:470:18:48

The idea is that a farmer could take this attachment

0:18:490:18:53

and attach to a conventional trough.

0:18:530:18:55

-I am told badgers are pretty good and cunning climbers.

-Exactly.

0:18:550:18:59

You will see that there's four different heights and widths,

0:18:590:19:02

and what we are trying to establish is, which ones will prevent

0:19:020:19:05

badger access but also allow access to livestock?

0:19:050:19:08

Of course cattle come in all different shapes

0:19:080:19:10

and sizes as well, so I guess what might be right on one farm

0:19:100:19:12

-wouldn't be right on another.

-Yes.

0:19:120:19:14

It is about trying to work out

0:19:140:19:15

what would fit an individual farm situation.

0:19:150:19:17

And the whole idea is that it is practical, farmers could

0:19:170:19:20

potentially build it themselves, and it is cost-effective, which is

0:19:200:19:23

one of the key things that farmers are looking for.

0:19:230:19:25

You've got some cameras dotted around.

0:19:250:19:27

Have you got any images of what has happened here?

0:19:270:19:29

Yes, so we film every night.

0:19:290:19:31

Oh, there you go, I can see the badger there, eyes shining.

0:19:310:19:34

-Just going between a couple of these troughs.

-Exactly.

0:19:340:19:36

-Has this film yet given you conclusive evidence?

-No.

0:19:360:19:39

At the moment, this is still very early days for this trial.

0:19:390:19:42

We're getting them used to the site, and we're hoping they

0:19:420:19:45

might start to try at least to get in when there is less food about.

0:19:450:19:49

This research not only tests

0:19:490:19:51

the effectiveness of the redesigned food troughs, it also clearly

0:19:510:19:55

shows where cattle and badgers can come into contact with each other.

0:19:550:20:00

That is something highlighted by recent Defra studies,

0:20:000:20:03

which used infrared cameras to monitor farmyards, to estimate

0:20:030:20:08

the number and level of badger visits.

0:20:080:20:12

In that study, most of the farms had badgers turning up regularly,

0:20:120:20:16

but once simple measures, such as sheep metal gates and fences

0:20:160:20:21

and closed feed stores were fitted, the visits stopped.

0:20:210:20:25

That all sounds very promising and sensible.

0:20:250:20:29

If you follow these measures, you can sharply reduce the amount

0:20:290:20:33

of badger to livestock contact,

0:20:330:20:36

but some farmers still aren't convinced.

0:20:360:20:39

James Small runs a beef herd in Somerset, close to the cull area.

0:20:410:20:45

His farm has been hit by TB twice in ten years.

0:20:450:20:48

HE CALLS TO HIS HERD

0:20:500:20:52

He follows much of the bio-security advice,

0:20:530:20:57

but says when his 250 strong herd is scattered across 600 acres

0:20:570:21:02

of hilly terrain, there is an obvious problem.

0:21:020:21:06

All the measures I may do at the building...

0:21:060:21:08

My cattle are housed for about four to five months of the year,

0:21:080:21:11

and they are outside grazing for the rest of the year.

0:21:110:21:13

So what I may do there may be completely offset by what is

0:21:130:21:16

happening out across the field, and I can't simply fence off the fields.

0:21:160:21:19

Do you think it is possible, in an open grazing farm, to keep

0:21:190:21:23

cattle and badgers apart?

0:21:230:21:25

It would be pretty much impossible to actually completely

0:21:250:21:29

separate wildlife from cattle. Short of keeping one of those species

0:21:290:21:33

actually in a concrete box, you can't do it.

0:21:330:21:36

What might persuade you to do more in terms of bio-security?

0:21:360:21:40

At the moment, there is a slight lack of evidence of exactly what the

0:21:400:21:43

best thing to do is and which would provide the best results.

0:21:430:21:47

There's lots of anecdotal things about best practice.

0:21:470:21:49

There are certain things that we do. If there was more research on it

0:21:490:21:52

which would actually give me greater detail about what would have

0:21:520:21:55

the best impact for exactly where my farm is, that would be fantastic.

0:21:550:21:59

James isn't the only farmer who wants to know more

0:21:590:22:02

before he increases protective measures on his farm.

0:22:020:22:06

In fact, only last December, a Defra industry working group

0:22:060:22:10

admitted research on bio-security had been limited.

0:22:100:22:14

And that...

0:22:140:22:15

..was discouraging some farmers from

0:22:180:22:20

investing in better bio-security.

0:22:200:22:23

Yet a Defra spokesman told us that it has funded...

0:22:230:22:26

Much bio-security seems like common sense, good farming.

0:22:320:22:36

But it can be expensive.

0:22:360:22:38

It's almost impossible to exclude all chance of infection,

0:22:380:22:42

and it lacks figures for effectiveness.

0:22:420:22:46

That leaves the question hanging.

0:22:460:22:48

Why hasn't bio-security research yielded better results by now?

0:22:480:22:54

'Now, the question on everyone's mind.

0:23:000:23:03

'Who has won this year's photographic competition?

0:23:030:23:07

'The theme was colours of the countryside, and what better place

0:23:070:23:11

'to reveal the winning picture than amongst

0:23:110:23:13

'swathes of flowering heather?'

0:23:130:23:16

Now, everyone has their own personal favourite.

0:23:190:23:22

This sheep looks very much at home here, doesn't it?

0:23:220:23:25

But amongst these 12 fabulous photographs, there is

0:23:250:23:28

one which you, our viewers, have voted for more than any other.

0:23:280:23:32

As the overall winner, it will take pride of place on the front cover

0:23:340:23:38

of the Countryfile calendar for 2016,

0:23:380:23:41

sold in aid of BBC Children In Need.

0:23:410:23:43

This year we had more than 33,000 entries -

0:23:460:23:49

every hue and shade of the countryside captured on camera.

0:23:490:23:53

How hard it was to choose these final 12.

0:23:530:23:58

It was a huge team effort.

0:23:580:24:00

Past winners and finalists narrowed it down to 3,000 pictures,

0:24:000:24:05

and the final selection fell to me and two fellow judges -

0:24:050:24:09

comedian and bird lover Bill Bailey,

0:24:090:24:12

and wildlife presenter Naomi Wilkinson.

0:24:120:24:15

It was a tough job. But we finally got there.

0:24:150:24:19

2016 is certainly going to be colourful.

0:24:190:24:22

And on that same day

0:24:220:24:23

we also got to choose the judges' favourite picture, and...

0:24:230:24:28

this was it -

0:24:280:24:30

Coastline Canter, taken by Graham Mealand from Worcestershire,

0:24:300:24:34

so congratulations to you, Graham, you win

0:24:340:24:36

£500 worth of photographic equipment.

0:24:360:24:40

But it wasn't the judges' task to choose the overall winner.

0:24:410:24:44

That decision was down to you. And you didn't hold back.

0:24:440:24:48

Tens of thousands of votes were counted.

0:24:480:24:51

And we have a winner.

0:24:510:24:53

To be honest, it stood out right from the start.

0:24:530:24:56

-Ta-da!

-You don't often see hedgehogs in that frame of mind, do you?

0:24:560:25:00

-That is great.

-Sort of exultant.

-That is brilliant.

0:25:000:25:03

And many of you agreed,

0:25:030:25:04

because you've made a Happy Hedgehog

0:25:040:25:07

even happier. This is our winner.

0:25:070:25:10

It was taken by Ben Andrew from Luton,

0:25:100:25:13

and now comes my favourite job of all, telling Ben that he has won.

0:25:130:25:17

Ben works for the RSPB at its headquarters in Bedfordshire,

0:25:220:25:26

and thinks I've come along

0:25:260:25:27

to see why he takes many of his photographs.

0:25:270:25:30

He already knows he's been shortlisted in the competition,

0:25:300:25:33

so he's not surprised to see me with his hedgehog.

0:25:330:25:37

-Hello, Ben.

-Hi, John.

0:25:370:25:38

-How about this, then?

-Looks impressive.

0:25:380:25:42

'But he's got no idea he's the winner.

0:25:420:25:44

'And I'm going to keep him in the dark

0:25:440:25:46

'for just a little while longer.'

0:25:460:25:47

What are you taking pictures of right now?

0:25:470:25:50

This is a wasp spider.

0:25:500:25:51

There's not many of them in the UK, they are pretty much restricted

0:25:510:25:54

to this sort of southern part of the UK, and this kind of habitat often.

0:25:540:25:58

-They're quite beautiful looking, aren't they?

-I would say so.

0:25:580:26:01

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I would say so.

0:26:010:26:04

Everybody loves hedgehogs, of course.

0:26:040:26:05

And they are, well, they are not as rare as a wasp spider,

0:26:050:26:09

but their numbers are diminishing, aren't they?

0:26:090:26:12

So how did you get this picture?

0:26:120:26:13

Basically, because they are a tricky species

0:26:130:26:15

to photograph at the best of times, being nocturnal,

0:26:150:26:18

I worked alongside an animal rescue centre, who have been

0:26:180:26:21

rehabilitating this hedgehog after bringing it in underweight.

0:26:210:26:25

So I took it off their hands once it had been rehabilitated

0:26:250:26:28

and released it in my own garden,

0:26:280:26:30

but before that, I managed to get a few photos of him

0:26:300:26:32

in some autumnal leaves.

0:26:320:26:35

There was a certain amount of, you know,

0:26:350:26:37

getting it in the right place and just getting

0:26:370:26:39

the shot in mind that I wanted.

0:26:390:26:41

Ben discovered a passion for photography eight years ago

0:26:410:26:44

during a holiday in South Africa with his fiancee, Erin.

0:26:440:26:48

The problem was, he didn't have a camera, but Erin did.

0:26:480:26:51

So, Erin, is it true that Ben more or less pinched your camera?

0:26:530:26:57

He did, on holiday in South Africa,

0:26:570:26:59

he stole my camera on Table Mountain.

0:26:590:27:02

I was taking lovely scenery photos, and he stole it to take

0:27:020:27:04

a photo of a lizard, and I never really got it back.

0:27:040:27:07

THEY LAUGH

0:27:070:27:08

Had you been at all interested in photography before that?

0:27:080:27:10

Not at all, no. I'd never picked a DSLR camera,

0:27:100:27:14

or anything like that.

0:27:140:27:15

I was interested in wildlife but not in photography.

0:27:150:27:18

So, the moment to reveal the winner

0:27:180:27:20

and the new Countryfile calendar for 2016.

0:27:200:27:24

And Erin is in on our surprise.

0:27:240:27:27

It was Erin's camera that got you really interested in photography.

0:27:280:27:31

-It certainly was.

-And look where it has led you.

-Definitely, yes.

0:27:310:27:35

-I'd say it's led me to, you know...

-How about that?

0:27:350:27:38

HE LAUGHS

0:27:380:27:40

-Wow!

-You are the winner.

-Amazing, thank you.

0:27:400:27:42

-You are on the cover.

-It has made the cover as well.

0:27:420:27:45

-Countryfile Calendar for 2016.

-Well, I am made up.

-So, congratulations.

0:27:450:27:49

-I am really chuffed.

-Congratulations.

0:27:490:27:52

-It looks fantastic, doesn't it?

-I can't believe it.

0:27:520:27:54

-What do you think, Erin?

-It is brilliant. Well done, Ben.

0:27:540:27:57

Thank you. Happy as a hedgehog.

0:27:570:27:59

THEY LAUGH

0:27:590:28:01

Not only is his picture on the cover,

0:28:010:28:03

Ben also gets £1,000 worth of photographic equipment.

0:28:030:28:07

And a very big thank you to everyone

0:28:090:28:11

who contributed to this year's photographic competition,

0:28:110:28:14

whether you sent in photos or encouraged someone else to...

0:28:140:28:17

or voted.

0:28:170:28:19

But it doesn't end there.

0:28:190:28:21

Last year we sold 350,000 copies of the calendar,

0:28:210:28:26

raising more than £1.5 million for BBC Children In Need.

0:28:260:28:31

This year, we would like it to be even more.

0:28:310:28:34

It's now on sale, and here is how to get yours.

0:28:350:28:38

The calendar costs £9.50, including free UK delivery,

0:28:380:28:42

and a minimum of £4 of the sale of each one will be

0:28:420:28:46

donated to BBC Children In Need.

0:28:460:28:49

To get one, you can go to our website. That's...

0:28:490:28:51

..where you will find a link to the order page.

0:28:550:28:58

Or you can phone the order line on...

0:28:580:29:00

Or, if you prefer, order by post.

0:29:090:29:12

Send your name, address and a cheque to...

0:29:120:29:14

The 2015 calendar raised a record amount of money,

0:29:310:29:34

but with the help of the hedgehog

0:29:340:29:36

and all these other wonderful, colourful photographs,

0:29:360:29:39

I'm sure we can do even better with next year's calendar,

0:29:390:29:43

and make lots of children as happy as he is.

0:29:430:29:47

The Bay Cycle Way skirts around

0:29:520:29:54

the spectacular seascapes of Morecambe Bay,

0:29:540:29:57

linking up everything the coast here has to offer.

0:29:570:30:00

So there are plenty of places to break your journey.

0:30:000:30:03

Like here, Leighton Moss nature reserve.

0:30:050:30:08

Headquartered in these converted farm buildings,

0:30:080:30:11

the reserve is one of the jewels in the RSPB's crown.

0:30:110:30:14

A century ago, Leighton Moss was agricultural land, but after

0:30:200:30:24

the First World War, it was allowed to revert to natural wetland.

0:30:240:30:28

The regenerating reed beds became home to all sorts of wildlife,

0:30:280:30:32

especially bitterns. Once common,

0:30:320:30:34

they are now one of our rarest birds.

0:30:340:30:37

Now, whilst those numbers are improving

0:30:390:30:41

elsewhere around the country, here they are not doing so great.

0:30:410:30:45

But the team are not taking it lying down.

0:30:450:30:47

Jarrod Sneyd is the site manager here.

0:30:490:30:52

-Hello!

-How are you doing?

0:30:520:30:54

I'm very well, Jarrod. Is there a safe way to get to you?

0:30:540:30:56

Well, I think you just need to walk along this vegetative edge here,

0:30:560:30:59

rather than through the gloop there.

0:30:590:31:01

This is quite fantastic, isn't it?

0:31:010:31:03

-It is incredible, isn't it?

-It is amazing.

0:31:030:31:06

And the smell,

0:31:060:31:07

-there's a real beautiful, earthy, citrus smell in the air.

-Absolutely.

0:31:070:31:11

-Nice to meet you.

-Gosh.

0:31:110:31:13

What do you need to do here to encourage the bitterns to come back?

0:31:130:31:16

When I came here as a boy, there were maybe three,

0:31:160:31:18

four bitterns booming that foghorn sound

0:31:180:31:21

that you could hear for three or four kilometres.

0:31:210:31:23

It's like blowing over the top of a milk bottle.

0:31:230:31:25

That's the kind of sound you would hear

0:31:250:31:27

if you came early morning, here to Leighton Moss.

0:31:270:31:29

What bitterns like is nice, young, wet reed bed.

0:31:290:31:33

Because the reed bed's got old,

0:31:330:31:34

it's not as good for bitterns, so we're taking it back in time,

0:31:340:31:38

digging away at the old reed litter and lowering.

0:31:380:31:41

It is called bed lowering.

0:31:410:31:43

What we've had to do is draw down the water level,

0:31:430:31:46

so that all this gloop starts to solid up, and it gets some air.

0:31:460:31:51

And what that's doing is, already you're seeing the success story.

0:31:510:31:54

All those little reeds are starting to pop up.

0:31:540:31:57

Once these grow up, we'll raise the water level again so that you

0:31:570:32:00

get that 20 centimetres of water, in young reed bed, which is great for

0:32:000:32:04

the fish to swim through, and then great for the bitterns

0:32:040:32:07

to feed on them.

0:32:070:32:08

It'll be a little while before the reed beds are in the kind

0:32:110:32:14

of condition needed to support bitterns.

0:32:140:32:17

But there's plenty more wildlife here already.

0:32:170:32:21

And they've built this to take in the view - the sky tower.

0:32:210:32:25

This special hide is unusual in that it's not covered up.

0:32:270:32:32

It's open at the top, and look at the view.

0:32:330:32:38

Wow! That is beautiful.

0:32:380:32:41

-Hi, Annabelle.

-Hi, Anita, welcome.

-Thank you.

0:32:410:32:43

Why is it open, why isn't it a normal hide?

0:32:430:32:46

Well, we're in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

0:32:460:32:49

here at Leighton Moss, and we just wanted it to be really open,

0:32:490:32:52

feel part of the landscape, not seen from the roads,

0:32:520:32:54

quite hidden in the canopy, but still giving these wonderful

0:32:540:32:57

bird's-eye views out across the reserve.

0:32:570:32:59

It also allows RSPB staff and volunteers,

0:32:590:33:01

when we're monitoring some of the special wildlife that lives here,

0:33:010:33:04

birds like bitterns and marsh harriers, to see

0:33:040:33:06

where they're nesting, to see if nesting's taking place, which is

0:33:060:33:09

really important to make Leighton Moss the perfect home for them.

0:33:090:33:12

Have you got any bitterns?

0:33:120:33:13

Yes, so we have quite a small population that are resident

0:33:130:33:15

here at Leighton Moss, which is why we're doing

0:33:150:33:17

all the work in the reed bed to try and improve that for them.

0:33:170:33:20

Where do the birds come from?

0:33:200:33:22

So we've had a real influx of duck in the last week or so.

0:33:220:33:25

They're coming down from places like Scandinavia

0:33:250:33:27

-and Russia to spend the winter here.

-Russia?!

-Yes.

-Let me have a look.

0:33:270:33:31

Oh, yes. I think I can spot a rare Russian breed...

0:33:310:33:35

just there, actually.

0:33:350:33:37

A lesser spotted Gleb, my Strictly Come Dancing partner.

0:33:370:33:41

This is no time for practice. Back to the bird spotting.

0:33:430:33:47

What have we got out there now?

0:33:470:33:49

So you can see there's lots and lots of duck out on the water.

0:33:490:33:52

A lot of them are teal, Britain's smallest duck.

0:33:520:33:56

Oh, look, there they go. These are all the teal.

0:33:560:33:58

-They spend the colder months down here.

-I'm not surprised.

0:33:580:34:01

It looks like a very comfortable place to spend the winter.

0:34:010:34:05

There's a heron out on the island at the back there.

0:34:050:34:08

-Is there?

-He's sort of just skulking in the middle.

0:34:080:34:11

-Oh, yes, I see him.

-Look, look, there's a marsh harrier.

-Where?

0:34:110:34:15

-It's just landed in the bush at the back of the pool there.

-Oh, yes.

0:34:150:34:19

Wow.

0:34:200:34:21

Well, I suppose I'd better get myself back on the bike

0:34:220:34:25

if I can tear myself away from this view.

0:34:250:34:28

COW MOOS

0:34:360:34:38

They say the best things come in small packages.

0:34:380:34:41

When it comes to cattle, that can only mean one thing - Dexters.

0:34:410:34:46

As a favour for a special friend, Adam is delivering

0:34:500:34:53

four of these plucky little animals to a new home.

0:34:530:34:57

Because of their small size and versatility, Dexters

0:34:590:35:02

as a breed have become very popular with smallholders and hobby farmers.

0:35:020:35:07

Many don't have their own kit to transport the animals around,

0:35:070:35:11

so I've agreed to help out.

0:35:110:35:12

I've hitched on the livestock trailer

0:35:120:35:14

and I'm off down the road to pick some up.

0:35:140:35:16

Dexters were first imported from Ireland in 1882.

0:35:180:35:22

They're a dual-purpose meat and milk breed

0:35:220:35:24

so they were initially very popular.

0:35:240:35:26

But modern farming's preference for larger animals saw numbers

0:35:290:35:32

decline and in the 1980s, they were classed as a rare breed.

0:35:320:35:36

However, since then, they've made a remarkable comeback.

0:35:370:35:41

-Just going into the herd...

-On her farm in Gloucestershire, Liz Stephen

0:35:410:35:45

has been breeding the UK's smallest breed of cattle for years.

0:35:450:35:49

Why is it that they've come back into popularity so much?

0:35:520:35:55

They were nearly extinct at one time, weren't they?

0:35:550:35:58

They were indeed.

0:35:580:35:59

They were almost on the verge of dying out completely

0:35:590:36:01

in the early '70s.

0:36:010:36:03

But I think their small size makes them absolutely ideal

0:36:030:36:05

for somebody who's just got a few acres and wants to play with cattle.

0:36:050:36:09

You can either go into the breeding of them or fatten them up for beef.

0:36:090:36:12

And they make good eating?

0:36:120:36:14

And the beef, of course, is very popular, yes.

0:36:140:36:17

So what sort of numbers have they increased to now?

0:36:190:36:21

In 1970, there were only 36 cows registered to the breed

0:36:210:36:24

which is nothing, absolutely nothing.

0:36:240:36:26

In comparison, this is the herd book that's just come out for 2014.

0:36:260:36:30

How many's in there, then?

0:36:300:36:32

There's got to be at least a couple of thousand, hasn't there?

0:36:320:36:35

-What a success story!

-Exactly.

0:36:350:36:36

They really are a success story which is fantastic for the breed.

0:36:360:36:39

Now, I've come to pick a few up. Whereabouts are they?

0:36:390:36:42

They're back at the house, in the dry. Shall we go and look at them?

0:36:420:36:45

Yeah, let's get them.

0:36:450:36:46

Because Liz has kept the cattle separate from the rest of the herd,

0:36:480:36:51

they should be much tamer and, fingers crossed, easier to load.

0:36:510:36:55

Go on, then. Go on, then.

0:36:560:36:58

-They're so friendly...

-They're so friendly, they don't want to go.

0:36:590:37:02

THEY LAUGH

0:37:020:37:03

Go on. That's it. That's it.

0:37:030:37:06

Go on, in you go. In you go.

0:37:060:37:08

Go on, up the front.

0:37:100:37:12

That's great. And, before you go, Adam,

0:37:170:37:18

this is the paperwork that has to go to the new owner.

0:37:180:37:21

It's their passports, breed society details

0:37:210:37:24

-and confirmation that they are free of TB.

-Wonderful.

0:37:240:37:26

Thank you very much, Liz. I'm sure they'll have a lovely home.

0:37:260:37:29

-Thank you very much.

-See you. Bye-bye.

-Bye.

0:37:290:37:31

The Dexters' new owner is somebody

0:37:340:37:36

Countryfile viewers will be very familiar with.

0:37:360:37:40

She certainly knows her stuff as far as wildlife's concerned,

0:37:400:37:43

so I'm sure she'll be just as good at looking after cattle.

0:37:430:37:49

-Hi, Ellie. I've got a delivery for you.

-Yes!

0:37:490:37:51

I'm looking forward to this!

0:37:510:37:53

-Thank you very much.

-Have you got me a cup of tea and everything?

0:37:530:37:55

No, this was just for me.

0:37:550:37:57

How grateful!

0:37:570:37:58

Where do you want them, then?

0:37:580:38:00

There's a track down there that they can go into

0:38:000:38:02

and this is the orchard they're going to be grazing for me.

0:38:020:38:05

Wonderful. Well, I'll spin it round and back up.

0:38:050:38:07

See you in a second.

0:38:070:38:09

I'm so excited about this.

0:38:090:38:11

This has been a very long time coming, let me tell you.

0:38:110:38:13

SHE LAUGHS

0:38:130:38:15

Before we let them out, I just want to quickly check their new home.

0:38:180:38:22

It's been a wet summer, you know.

0:38:240:38:26

It's just grown like the clappers.

0:38:260:38:28

When was the last time it was grazed?

0:38:280:38:29

Well, I reckon at least three years ago. It's been topped a few times.

0:38:290:38:32

-They've plenty to eat.

-They'll rip into it.

-I hope so.

0:38:320:38:36

What else have you done? Have you got water in here?

0:38:360:38:39

We've got a few other things. If you come this way, I'll show you.

0:38:390:38:42

So, luckily, there's a natural spring that seeps down here all year and

0:38:430:38:48

then fills up in this trough so that should be a pretty steady supply.

0:38:480:38:51

Perfect, and in the winter, when it's freezing,

0:38:510:38:53

-it will keep running, won't it?

-It will keep running, yes.

0:38:530:38:55

And I see you've got some gates at the top.

0:38:550:38:57

Yes, I was advised to get those because if they get fed in there

0:38:570:39:00

and they get used to being in that little enclosure,

0:39:000:39:02

when the vet comes, they won't be too shocked by the idea of it.

0:39:020:39:05

-We won't have to chase them round.

-It's great.

0:39:050:39:07

I have strimmed the edges so they can see the boundary,

0:39:070:39:10

although the rest is ridiculously high.

0:39:100:39:11

They'll be able to find the edges and then this path

0:39:110:39:14

to find their way to the water.

0:39:140:39:15

The boundary fence looks really solid

0:39:150:39:17

-so I think they'll be very happy.

-You don't think they'll jump out?

0:39:170:39:20

-No, they'll be fine.

-Good.

0:39:200:39:21

-Let's go and get them.

-Right.

0:39:210:39:24

-I'm so excited.

-There, that's nice.

-Oh, hello. There we go.

0:39:280:39:33

Go on, then, off you go. Off you go.

0:39:330:39:35

Off you go. That's it. That's it.

0:39:350:39:37

Go on. Down the track.

0:39:370:39:40

-They're going along quite nicely, aren't they?

-They're quite quiet.

0:39:400:39:43

I'm pleased.

0:39:430:39:44

They should just go straight through the gate and into the field.

0:39:440:39:47

That's the plan, anyway.

0:39:470:39:49

So why did you decide to get them in the first place?

0:39:520:39:54

Well, you can see here, the grass here is incredibly thick and rank.

0:39:540:39:57

It's been improved in places and it's pretty devoid of wildlife, really.

0:39:570:40:00

And the first step in getting wildlife back here is to bring

0:40:000:40:03

wild flowers in - and great for invertebrate life

0:40:030:40:05

and really nothing can grow through this, it's so thick

0:40:050:40:08

so their job is really expensive lawn mowing.

0:40:080:40:10

-That's what they are to me.

-Well, the Dexters are very good at that.

0:40:100:40:13

They'll live out here all year round.

0:40:130:40:15

They're quite light-footed so they won't poach it up

0:40:150:40:17

and damage the sward or damage the soil.

0:40:170:40:19

But they will rip this off

0:40:190:40:20

and they'll also get into this bramble and browse.

0:40:200:40:23

-They're very happy getting into these bushes now.

-Perfect.

0:40:230:40:26

-That's just what I need them for. That's ideal.

-You just need probably

0:40:260:40:30

-another 20.

-Slow and steady.

0:40:300:40:32

I'll start with my four.

0:40:320:40:33

My starter cows, and see how I go.

0:40:330:40:36

-Well, I've got all the paperwork here for you.

-Oh, crumbs. Yes.

0:40:360:40:39

And this is what slowed me down.

0:40:390:40:40

It took me about a year to get everything sorted.

0:40:400:40:42

I've got five pieces of paperwork just to get to having them here.

0:40:420:40:45

It's not easy, becoming a smallholder

0:40:450:40:47

and keeping livestock. There's lots and lots of legislation.

0:40:470:40:50

-It's all yours.

-Back to the computer for me, then.

0:40:500:40:52

Make sure that's kept in a safe place. It's very important.

0:40:520:40:54

I've got it. Thank you so much, Adam.

0:40:540:40:56

-Not at all. And good luck with them.

-Thank you.

0:40:560:40:58

-Any problems, don't call me.

-THEY LAUGH

0:40:580:41:01

See you later. Right, don't you jump the fences, you lot.

0:41:010:41:05

Come on, then!

0:41:050:41:08

With my good deed done, the sun has come out just in time for me

0:41:100:41:14

to get one last job sorted back at the farm.

0:41:140:41:16

You might remember last year I introduced a new Highland bull

0:41:190:41:22

called Archie to my herd of Highland cattle.

0:41:220:41:25

I'm quite worried about him

0:41:250:41:27

because he's much younger than they are and quite small in stature.

0:41:270:41:32

MOOING

0:41:320:41:33

Well, since then, Archie has been very busy.

0:41:350:41:37

Archie is just behind this cow and he has turned into a lovely bull

0:41:390:41:43

and he's doing a great job.

0:41:430:41:44

In fact, very excitingly, this is his first calf.

0:41:440:41:47

It's a little heifer, a little female, so his daughter.

0:41:470:41:50

And the Highlands give birth to such beautiful calves.

0:41:500:41:53

They're like little teddy bears, really sweet.

0:41:530:41:56

But what I've got to do now is put some tags in its ears

0:41:560:41:59

and I don't think Mum's going to like that much.

0:41:590:42:01

'To be on the safe side, my stock hand, Ellen,

0:42:030:42:05

'has come along to give me a hand.'

0:42:050:42:07

Right, you come with me, quick.

0:42:070:42:09

That's it.

0:42:100:42:11

These Highlands live up in the Scottish mountains

0:42:120:42:16

and they're wonderful mothers.

0:42:160:42:17

They'll give birth up there and look after their calves

0:42:170:42:20

and so you just have to be a bit careful

0:42:200:42:22

when you're handling the calves,

0:42:220:42:24

otherwise they'll attack you.

0:42:240:42:26

Well done. There we go. Thanks, Ellen.

0:42:290:42:34

All of our Highland calves this year have to begin with

0:42:340:42:37

the letter P for their names

0:42:370:42:39

and because Archie is from the Balmoral estate, from the Queen's

0:42:390:42:42

estate, we thought his little heifer calf could aptly be named Princess.

0:42:420:42:46

So this is little Princess,

0:42:460:42:48

a really lovely little calf to have on the farm and hopefully,

0:42:480:42:51

there will be many more of Archie's calves to follow.

0:42:510:42:54

It might be a lot of hard work, but for me,

0:42:540:42:58

keeping cattle is one of the best things about running a farm.

0:42:580:43:02

Hopefully, Ellie, with her Dexters, will get as much out of it as I do.

0:43:020:43:06

MOOING

0:43:090:43:11

The glorious great British countryside -

0:43:150:43:17

a place of rich history, rural majesty and next weekend,

0:43:170:43:22

host to a truly magnificent spectacle.

0:43:220:43:25

On Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October,

0:43:280:43:31

the very first Countryfile ramble for Children In Need

0:43:310:43:34

will be taking place all across Britain and the aim is simple.

0:43:340:43:38

We want all of you, the whole country, out there walking and

0:43:380:43:42

putting on your own sponsored rambles to raise

0:43:420:43:45

money for Children In Need.

0:43:450:43:46

To find out how to take part,

0:43:460:43:48

go to our website...

0:43:480:43:52

And if you're wondering why it matters,

0:43:550:43:57

here's someone far better qualified than me to tell you.

0:43:570:44:01

This is Ella.

0:44:040:44:06

She's 17 and has been severely visually impaired since birth.

0:44:060:44:10

-Good girl!

-On a good day, Ella can see two metres in front of her.

0:44:100:44:15

On a bad day, white-outs cause temporary blindness.

0:44:150:44:18

Good girl! Straight on. Straight on.

0:44:180:44:20

I have a condition called nystagmus,

0:44:200:44:23

which means that the nerve isn't connected to the eye properly.

0:44:230:44:27

My eye wobbles uncontrollably from side to side.

0:44:270:44:32

I also have a condition called hemianopia.

0:44:320:44:34

It makes me have blind spots like this.

0:44:340:44:36

Diagnosis came at seven months old.

0:44:400:44:43

She wore her first pair of glasses at nine months old.

0:44:430:44:47

We were told that she wouldn't go into mainstream school,

0:44:470:44:51

she wouldn't have a job, and she wouldn't be an independent person.

0:44:510:44:55

I went home, broke my heart, and then came up fighting.

0:44:550:44:59

A normal life for me is sometimes difficult.

0:45:000:45:03

But generally, I'm just determined to get through it

0:45:030:45:05

and just be as happy as I can because

0:45:050:45:07

that's what it's all about really.

0:45:070:45:09

'There are over 25,000 youngsters in the UK who are blind or

0:45:120:45:16

'partially sighted.'

0:45:160:45:17

I've come to meet Ella at Sight Advice,

0:45:170:45:20

a charity which is able to support youngsters like her, thanks to

0:45:200:45:23

essential funding from Children In Need.

0:45:230:45:26

What Sight Advice helps to do is make children go

0:45:260:45:29

and explore in a safe environment for themselves in places

0:45:290:45:32

that are full of grass and fields and trees,

0:45:320:45:35

where they can get their knees dirty and have a few grazes but safe,

0:45:350:45:39

if you see what I mean.

0:45:390:45:41

We've been to an activity centre, we've been horse riding,

0:45:410:45:44

we've been cycling.

0:45:440:45:46

Looking fantastic. Well done!

0:45:460:45:48

Is it possible for you to put into words

0:45:500:45:52

what those life experiences have meant to you?

0:45:520:45:56

It's just encouraging, really to say, "You're not alone.

0:45:560:46:00

"Get together, build each other's confidence and go out there

0:46:000:46:03

"and do it. You may be considered different by other children

0:46:030:46:05

"but we know that you're not."

0:46:050:46:07

Off you go.

0:46:070:46:10

But Ella's about to take on a challenge far greater than

0:46:100:46:12

anything she has ever attempted before.

0:46:120:46:15

Joining me on my ramble come scramble

0:46:150:46:18

over 3,000 feet up a Welsh mountain.

0:46:180:46:20

She'll be taking a leap of faith by trusting me to be her guide.

0:46:230:46:27

So, before I put her safety in my hands, I'm going

0:46:270:46:29

to get the chance to experience what life is like from Ella's perspective.

0:46:290:46:34

Jan has kindly put together these glasses that

0:46:380:46:42

sort of simulate my vision.

0:46:420:46:44

-OK.

-OK?

0:46:440:46:45

'Jan is going to guide us both.

0:46:470:46:49

'We've put an effect on our camera

0:46:520:46:54

'to give you an idea of what I'm seeing.'

0:46:540:46:56

I've just seen it now, this car.

0:46:560:46:59

We've got a slight different change in the kerb

0:46:590:47:02

-but if you keep walking forward.

-There's a car there somewhere.

0:47:020:47:06

Straight over. It's not a step

0:47:060:47:08

but you'll know you've made it cos you have the cobbles there.

0:47:080:47:11

There is a real fear in going forward.

0:47:110:47:14

We can try the steps of the library, if you'd like.

0:47:140:47:17

Your balance OK?

0:47:190:47:20

It's the depth, isn't it, that's difficult to work out?

0:47:200:47:22

Yeah.

0:47:220:47:24

Just thinking about that, going up a mountainside...

0:47:240:47:30

ELLA LAUGHS

0:47:300:47:31

'Having had a small glimpse into Ella's world, I'm conscious

0:47:320:47:36

'I've got a huge responsibility helping her safely up a mountain.

0:47:360:47:40

'So we're heading into the hills of the Lake District to test

0:47:400:47:43

'the ground with me as Ella's guide on what could be a steep learning

0:47:430:47:47

'curve for us both.'

0:47:470:47:49

-Ella, has that come into focus now?

-Yep, just about.

0:47:510:47:55

I can tell it's a rock by the colour.

0:47:550:47:57

Shall I go ahead of you or behind you? What's best?

0:47:570:48:00

Go ahead and I can copy your movements.

0:48:000:48:02

So at this stage, I'd say right,

0:48:020:48:04

-so we've got just below a knee high there for me.

-OK.

0:48:040:48:07

And I'll stand here and help you up if you need to.

0:48:070:48:10

-OK.

-Yep, great.

0:48:100:48:12

There's loose footing here. What can you see up ahead?

0:48:130:48:18

I'm not quite sure whether they're roots or rocks.

0:48:180:48:22

It's a mixture of both, to be fair.

0:48:220:48:24

-We've got roots off to the right-hand side.

-OK.

-Bobbly roots.

0:48:240:48:28

-Cheeky stone.

-Bobbly roots and cheeky stones, OK.

0:48:310:48:34

-I love the technical geography.

-OK, keep coming to me.

0:48:350:48:38

Just figuring if that rock was in the way.

0:48:380:48:40

And then I think we should go left here.

0:48:400:48:42

-Just going to move that out of the way cos that shouldn't be there.

-OK.

0:48:420:48:46

-Nearly there.

-OK.

0:48:460:48:48

That's it. Stop there and step.

0:48:480:48:50

And again, step.

0:48:510:48:53

-There we are. My hand's there, I'll help you up.

-Thanks.

0:48:540:48:58

And there we are.

0:48:580:48:59

-Brilliant, thank you.

-Come on.

0:49:000:49:02

Hand's in the right position, high five. Nailed it.

0:49:020:49:05

Our first tentative steps have gone well.

0:49:100:49:13

But this hill is no mountain.

0:49:130:49:16

And a much larger obstacle lies ahead on our ramble.

0:49:160:49:19

It's one Ella's determined to conquer.

0:49:190:49:21

When you're about to set out on a challenge, you always have

0:49:240:49:26

stuff going on in your mind, reasons for doing it.

0:49:260:49:29

What are your reasons?

0:49:290:49:30

Trying to inspire young people

0:49:300:49:33

who are also visually impaired or with any other disability

0:49:330:49:37

that whatever challenge you set out to do,

0:49:370:49:39

don't think about your disability. Go out and get it.

0:49:390:49:42

Don't let anybody stand in your way.

0:49:420:49:44

For Ella, her ramble is not only to inspire others,

0:49:440:49:47

but also to honour the memory of a man who inspired and loved her -

0:49:470:49:52

her dad who passed away two years ago.

0:49:520:49:55

He used to work for the National Trust

0:49:560:49:58

and do all the maps for the area and the mountains

0:49:580:50:01

so he used to know this area like the back of his hand.

0:50:010:50:03

At least I can say, "I might not have got to do it with you,

0:50:030:50:06

"but I'm doing it in your memory to show you that I can do it."

0:50:060:50:10

-You're doing it for him.

-Yeah.

0:50:100:50:12

Yeah.

0:50:130:50:15

-Well, it's wonderful to be doing it alongside you.

-Thanks, Matt.

0:50:170:50:21

From what I've seen of Ella today, you know, she is pushing herself to

0:50:230:50:27

her absolute limits

0:50:270:50:28

and she's doing it to say thank you to all the people that have

0:50:280:50:32

helped her and also because she wants to be an inspiration to others and

0:50:320:50:37

she wants to show all of those other children,

0:50:370:50:40

a lot younger than her that, actually, although

0:50:400:50:42

you have difficulties with sight, it doesn't have to stop you in life.

0:50:420:50:47

And I know it's difficult for lots of you to get out there

0:50:470:50:51

and go on a walk but if you text right now,

0:50:510:50:56

then you will give other children, just like Ella, the support

0:50:560:51:01

when they need it most.

0:51:010:51:03

Yes! Very good.

0:51:320:51:33

Please support us in any way that you can.

0:51:330:51:36

The Countryfile Ramble is next weekend so to take part

0:51:360:51:40

and raise money just go to the Countryfile website where

0:51:400:51:43

you'll find not only inspiration and ideas of where you can walk

0:51:430:51:46

but you'll find that all-important sponsorship form.

0:51:460:51:50

So let us use the countryside that we love to show together that we

0:51:500:51:54

can make a lasting difference.

0:51:540:51:56

Today we're on the eastern edge of Morecambe Bay.

0:52:130:52:16

Helen's been riding the tide

0:52:160:52:18

'and I've travelled up the coast on the brand-new Bay Cycle Way,

0:52:180:52:23

'stopping off to catch sight of some of the wild birds the area is

0:52:230:52:26

'famous for.

0:52:260:52:28

'Now it's time for another stop.

0:52:290:52:31

'Jack Scout is one of only two limestone cliffs in the area

0:52:330:52:37

'and is the perfect spot for some of the best views of the bay.'

0:52:370:52:40

Wow, it's so dramatic and incredibly atmospheric.

0:52:420:52:46

And from here you get a real sense of the scale

0:52:460:52:49

and the grandeur of Morecambe Bay

0:52:490:52:51

and the way the sea shapes the entire environment. It's beautiful.

0:52:510:52:55

There's magic and mystery in its flat expanses.

0:53:010:53:05

And even up here you don't know what you're going to come across.

0:53:060:53:10

-Hello, Craig.

-Hello, Anita.

0:53:100:53:11

Crouching down, peering at something. What are you looking at?

0:53:110:53:14

Come and have a look at these.

0:53:140:53:16

These are very delicate little orchids called

0:53:160:53:19

autumn lady's-tresses.

0:53:190:53:21

They're a good indicator of the limestone grassland.

0:53:210:53:24

I'm just taking it in. That's an orchid?

0:53:240:53:27

It's absolutely dinky.

0:53:270:53:29

These are one of the last British orchids to bloom in the year.

0:53:290:53:32

Hence their name - autumn lady's-tresses.

0:53:320:53:34

-But people often miss them.

-I'm not surprised, look at it.

0:53:340:53:37

It's absolutely tiny. Why are they called lady's-tresses?

0:53:370:53:41

That's because of this arrangement of the flowers.

0:53:410:53:43

-It spirals up the stem like a braid of hair.

-It really does.

0:53:430:53:48

So delicate.

0:53:480:53:49

When you get down to this level you start to see them

0:53:490:53:52

dotted all over the grassland.

0:53:520:53:54

And you realise just how many there are we're just sitting amongst.

0:53:540:53:57

I have to say, it's really made me smile.

0:53:570:54:00

Thank you so much for pointing them out for me.

0:54:000:54:02

I will always look out for them now. And now you're right, now that

0:54:020:54:05

you're mentioned it I can see quite a few.

0:54:050:54:07

They're everywhere. The dinkiest orchids in the world.

0:54:070:54:11

'But I've come here for the sunset and there's a perfect place

0:54:160:54:20

'to watch it, a Victorian folly called the Giant's Seat.'

0:54:200:54:24

There's something humbling about the bay.

0:54:280:54:31

Its vast, elemental, ever-changing but always stunning.

0:54:310:54:36

That's it for this week.

0:54:470:54:48

Just time to remind you if you want more scenes like this,

0:54:480:54:51

then get your hands on the Countryfile calendar.

0:54:510:54:54

Details on our website.

0:54:540:54:56

Right, next week we're in Cheshire where Matt will be hoping

0:54:580:55:01

to catch a glimpse of one of nature's greatest spectacles.

0:55:010:55:04

Hope you can join us then. Bye for now.

0:55:040:55:06

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