0:00:30 > 0:00:33There are magical places along our coastlines
0:00:33 > 0:00:36tucked away, hidden from view.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41And the North Yorkshire coast is strung with them, like jewels.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42This is Staithes.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Now, fishermen and artists have been drawn here for centuries,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48but now there's a new generation
0:00:48 > 0:00:51that are putting Staithes back on to the art map.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I'm going to be finding out who they are
0:00:53 > 0:00:55and even having a little go myself.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Down on the shore,
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Ellie's discovering treasures aplenty.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03The cliffs here were once mined for this,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06beloved of Victorian ladies.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10And, if you look closely, there's a different kind of bounty.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Just watch out for the claws.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Tom asks whether we're making enough of the energy from above.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Many of us have enjoyed the power of the sun this summer.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24But are we doing enough to harness that energy?
0:01:24 > 0:01:28I'll be investigating the state of solar, and asking why panels
0:01:28 > 0:01:34are sprouting in our fields while so many of our rooftops remain empty.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And Adam's been finding out there's more to wheat than meets the eye.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Up and down the country, farmers are putting in lots
0:01:40 > 0:01:44of hours to harvest their crops. This is wheat.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It's very versatile, but up here in Hull
0:01:46 > 0:01:49they're using it for something you wouldn't usually think of.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Late summer on the North York Moors.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02A palette of blue, green and purple.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06The heather is in full bloom and it stretches to the horizon.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09At the edge, the coast...
0:02:11 > 0:02:16..dotted with some of the most charming fishing villages in the country.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22And this is one of the finest examples.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Welcome to Staithes.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Staithes sits bang on the coast
0:02:30 > 0:02:34at the northernmost tip of the North York Moors National Park.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Once the busiest fishing port on the north-east coast,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43the village also has a long artistic tradition.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Right now, it's gearing up for next weekend's art festival
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and I'm off to meet local artist Rob Shaw,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52one of the many who'll be exhibiting.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55- Rob, how are you doing?- Hi. - Sorry to interrupt.- That's OK.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58What are you working on here? What's this going to be?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01I'm working on a breakwater, which is the man-made structure
0:03:01 > 0:03:03in Staithes that protects us from the sea.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- I'm trying to get some energy in there.- On a big scale. - On a large scale.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Look at these massive paintings all around here.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- You don't do little ones, then? - I don't do little ones.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I think the sea commands large paintings.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17What is it about this place
0:03:17 > 0:03:19that adds so much for you living here, as an artist?
0:03:19 > 0:03:23When I first came and saw the sort of sea hitting against
0:03:23 > 0:03:25this little coastal village, it's, "Wow!"
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I was brought up in Derbyshire, I'd never seen anything quite like it.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30When you do with your landscapes of Staithes
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and you've got the higgledy-piggledy cottages
0:03:33 > 0:03:34and their relationship with the sea,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37what is it that you're trying to put across to the person that's looking
0:03:37 > 0:03:40at that painting, even though they've maybe never even been here?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43I suppose I'm just trying to get across the uniqueness
0:03:43 > 0:03:47of the village and how this village has stood here against the North Sea.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48The place is just so raw, still.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Painters like Rob are keeping alive the tradition of the Staithes group.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56They were a pioneering bunch of artists
0:03:56 > 0:03:59who settled here in the 19th century.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00To find out more about them,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I'm catching up with Staithes group expert Rosamund Jordan.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06So, Rosamund, the Staithes group, then,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09have been an obsession of yours for 40 years. Why?
0:04:09 > 0:04:11They certainly have.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Well, firstly, they were such talented artists,
0:04:14 > 0:04:15such skilful artists.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18But, on top of that, they were so completely involved
0:04:18 > 0:04:21with their subjects - the places, the people.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Why did they come here, of all places?
0:04:23 > 0:04:24They liked the drama.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29They really lived a lot of the harshness of life in the village
0:04:29 > 0:04:34and became part of it, and I think that really sets them apart as artists.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36This one by Harold Knight, for example,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40you can see how the women are managing to help to move the rollers
0:04:40 > 0:04:42to haul the boat in to the shore.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45These were the things of real life that they liked to capture.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59What is it like now, knowing that there is this resurgence here?
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I think it's absolutely great.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I mean, I think there have always been painters in Staithes,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08but now there's a real resurgence which, you know, is marvellous.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11I would think the artists would love to know
0:05:11 > 0:05:13that their traditions were carrying on.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15And, thanks to the chance discovery
0:05:15 > 0:05:18of a box of old magic lantern slides,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20we can actually see these celebrated artists,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24caught in time, at work in Staithes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27This is a real exclusive one.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30That's Dame Laura Knight and Frederick Jackson,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34two of the original members of the Staithes group of artists,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- sketching and painting in the beck at Staithes.- Right.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41'She's a bit camera-shy here, but Dame Laura Knight would become
0:05:41 > 0:05:45'the most well-known woman artist of her day.'
0:05:47 > 0:05:49That's William Gilbert Foster.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53He's allegedly the founding father of the Staithes group of artists.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Right. So interesting, actually, looking at that scene,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00because, you know, you've got the easels, which haven't changed a bit.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03You've got the landscape, that hasn't really changed a bit,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06and then you've got the costumes and fashions.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08They were all well-heeled, weren't they?
0:06:10 > 0:06:15The artists paid various fisherfolk as models.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20The young girls, they used to pay a ha'penny or a penny,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23depending on how many hours they had to stay in that position.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25She didn't have to stand there
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- with that barrel of fish on her head, did she?- Hopefully not, no.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Well, being surrounded by all of this art,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I'm quite keen to have a go myself,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and what better way to honour those early pioneers
0:06:41 > 0:06:44than to try and produce something for the art festival?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50And, to help me come up with a fitting tribute,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52I've enlisted painter, printmaker
0:06:52 > 0:06:54and occasional photographer Ian Burke.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Find out what we come up with a little bit later on.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02In recent years, farmers across the land
0:07:02 > 0:07:06have started to harvest a new type of crop - sunshine.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09But is the growth of the solar farm a good use of our land?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Tom has been finding out.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18We've been treated to a wonderful summer of sunshine.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Good news for our tans
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and for all life that needs light and warmth to grow.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28It's also good news for those turning to the sun for free electricity.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34The sun is the source of extraordinary elemental power,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37but it's actually quite difficult to harness.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42A single panel like this in average UK daylight probably gives you
0:07:42 > 0:07:46enough juice for around two or three energy-saving light bulbs.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So if we're really going to change the electricity generation
0:07:49 > 0:07:53pattern of the UK, we're going to need to scale things up a bit.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59In Dorset, the solar park at Wyld Meadow is one of the many
0:07:59 > 0:08:02large schemes that have popped up in the British landscape
0:08:02 > 0:08:04just in the last couple of years.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09We've got a five megawatt solar park here, which will produce enough
0:08:09 > 0:08:13for approximately 1,500 houses, average houses, throughout the year.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17It was created by British Solar Renewables,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21a company hoping to make big money from the sun.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Angus Macdonald is the managing director.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Why did you choose this place? What's good about this field?
0:08:28 > 0:08:32This field has a very willing landowner, which is a good start.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Good start, yeah. - We've got good light levels.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38We're quite near the coast in the south of the country,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41so that helps from the point of view of the output of the panels.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It's very well hidden - you will have perhaps seen
0:08:43 > 0:08:46as you've arrived here that we're surrounded by woodland.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Give me an idea of the kind of money you're making out of this.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53The income from this, without taking into account rent
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and that sort of thing, must be in the order of £700,000 per year.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Right, so you're making much more out of this than the farmer is.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Presumably you're not paying him that much for rent!
0:09:02 > 0:09:05But you've got to factor in the cost of building something like this,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09which was in the order of £1.2 million per megawatt, so you're...
0:09:09 > 0:09:13A very significant investment into a project like this.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17These ventures are made possible by Government-set subsidies,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20helping us reach European renewable energy targets
0:09:20 > 0:09:23but paid for out of our electricity bills.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26That's led to a dramatic rise in solar farming.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32The first solar project of this size only came online in 2011.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35By the end of 2012, there was potential
0:09:35 > 0:09:38in ground-mounted solar for 170 megawatts.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42By the end of this year, it'll be roughly three times that.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46That's 2,500 acres of solar panels.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50With millions of acres of farmland in the UK,
0:09:50 > 0:09:55there's scope for many more companies to make money from solar.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58But is that really the best use of our land?
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Just checking through these to see if there's any hard udders.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Here at Wyld Meadow, Clive Sage has kept sheep for decades.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Last year, he decided to rent some land to British Solar Renewables.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13As the agreeable landowner,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17his income is now boosted by 30 acres of panels.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I must say, you seem to be combining farming the sheep
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and farming the sun, but what persuaded you to do this?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27It's produced another form of income
0:10:27 > 0:10:32and I can still continue to farm the land as I've always farmed it.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34The sheep seem to be happy.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37You know, they're grazing to and fro under the panels there,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and it seems to be working well for us.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44On this land, Clive gets rent from the panels
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and a more traditional income from the sheep that graze beneath them.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51You know, I challenge anyone that says, you know,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55"You can't keep solar ground in agricultural production,"
0:10:55 > 0:10:58because I think this is a perfect example where you can.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03But critics of solar farms like this believe panels do interfere
0:11:03 > 0:11:07with the productivity of the land. And that's not the only concern.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10About 100 miles north of Clive's farm,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13plans for a solar park in the Cotswolds
0:11:13 > 0:11:16have upset many people living nearby.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Barry Knight's lived in the area for nearly 20 years.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Well, it's going to go behind the hedge.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24If you look through the gap,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27it's going to be the bulk of that field behind the hedge there.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32After months of campaigning, Barry's local protest group failed
0:11:32 > 0:11:36to prevent planning permission being granted for a solar park next door.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41We personally think it's going to be an eyesore on the landscape.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Not just for us, but for the beauty spots around us,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48cos we do rely an awful lot on the tourism in this area.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50You've got a whole field full of glass there,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53which is going to be an eyesore, as far as I'm concerned.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56But are concerns over visual impact more important
0:11:56 > 0:11:59than the need to create new sources of renewable energy?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03That's a key planning question for local authorities,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05and the answer seems far from clear.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Over the years, council planners have got mixed messages
0:12:10 > 0:12:14from central government on the siting of renewables.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17This summer, some national guidance was published
0:12:17 > 0:12:21on permissions for solar farms, saying effect on the landscape
0:12:21 > 0:12:25and visual impact was high on the list of concerns.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27It stresses that...
0:12:33 > 0:12:35But council planners are also being told that...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45No pressure there, then.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47But, if solar panels are a problem,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51maybe we should reconsider where we're putting them.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53There is, of course,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56another way of generating large amounts of solar power -
0:12:56 > 0:12:58instead of covering up bits of our fields,
0:12:58 > 0:13:03why not put them on our roofs? Millions of them remain vacant.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05And that's what I'll be asking later.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Step away from the Yorkshire coast
0:13:11 > 0:13:14and the picturesque fishing village of Staithes
0:13:14 > 0:13:17and you'll find yourself in a different landscape.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21These are the wide expanses of the North York Moors.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23At first glance, a little bleak.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28But, if you look close, you can see real beauty.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And there's a prize here that's highly sought-after,
0:13:32 > 0:13:33and it's all around.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38It's the heather.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42It produces a very special honey, and beekeepers who've harvested it
0:13:42 > 0:13:46over the centuries have left their mark on these moors.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Donald Gunn and Neil Sydenham
0:13:50 > 0:13:53are restoring the UK's largest grouping of these.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57They're called bee boles, and were built 250 years ago
0:13:57 > 0:14:00to protect early beehives from the elements.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- Donald, how are you doing? - Hi. Not bad.- Nice to meet you.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Gosh, you've done a lot of work already.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Yes, we've got a lot more to do yet, though.- Well, I brought my gloves.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- I'll give you hand, shall I? - Oh, yes.- Put me to work.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Give me the not too big ones.- OK.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17I'll get a couple of stones passed over to you.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19There's a likely contender here.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- It looks like it would fit across there.- That's a nice biggie.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- So, we've got that end in we want to get it up against this one.- OK.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27One, two, three.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31So, tell me about the work that you've got to do.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34You've got to restore all of these bee boles?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36One of the things we're trying to do is to maintain
0:14:36 > 0:14:38as much of the original character as possible,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41and it's not my job to redo it so that it's all neat.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- You're not improving. - We're not improving it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46We're trying to rebuild it the way it was
0:14:46 > 0:14:48with all the little idiosyncrasies
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and characteristics that it originally had.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It may look a bit rough and ready, but it's not going to fall down.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Where you have these - bee boles -
0:14:58 > 0:15:01you've got have these - bee skeps.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03They're a primitive hive.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06A bit like a wicker basket, but upside down.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15Bee skeps were used until the 1800s, when modern beehives were invented.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18The beekeeper here would have brought them to the moor
0:15:18 > 0:15:21each August, when the heather was in bloom.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Heather honey was valued as a sweetener
0:15:23 > 0:15:25and for its medicinal properties.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31'Beekeeper Jim Wood has been making the bee skeps since his early 20s.'
0:15:31 > 0:15:33So, how do I make one of these?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Right, well, you need some long straw.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41Take a pair of sheep shears and clip the heads off.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45So, you'd feed in your straw through here,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47pull it a little bit...
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Going through that side of the binding.- Got it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52So, about halfway through, or two-thirds through?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- Two thirds, somewhere there. - That's it?- Right.- Fabulous.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58And now this gets threaded through. This is split cane?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Split cane, so if you take your hand now and get hold of it,
0:16:01 > 0:16:02so you get that really tight...
0:16:02 > 0:16:05The old gentlemen used to say that if you had a hive,
0:16:05 > 0:16:10you should we able to put all your weight on them and it not collapse.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12I don't think we'll test that one today...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14I won't be rushing to put my weight on that one.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20In summer, you'd have the bees in there, working,
0:16:20 > 0:16:25and when that was full, they would put an eke, E-K-E, on top.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28And they could come through the hole in the centre
0:16:28 > 0:16:30and build comb in there.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34There you go. That's not going too badly, I don't think.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35Quite pleased with that.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Bee skeps and bee boles reunited.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45They may be a thing of the past, but heather honey is still in demand.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Tony Jefferson and his father, Allan, have been bringing their
0:16:48 > 0:16:52beehives to the Yorkshire heather moors each summer for decades.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57So, this is quite a big moment, isn't it? This is the bit that you've been building up to.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It is, yes. The whole year is geared around two weeks
0:17:00 > 0:17:02of decent weather in August.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I've just taken this out of the hive,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17and if you look at the comb carefully, you'll see
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- there's actually different types of honey in this comb.- Really?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Can you see the different colours? A lighter colour here.- Oh, yeah.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- And the darker colour in the middle.- What does that mean?
0:17:26 > 0:17:28It means that when this comb or these frames were brought up
0:17:28 > 0:17:33to the moor, there was probably already an element of flower honey in the combs.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Then the bees have filled them up with heather honey later.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- So, if you want to dive in... - Gosh. Where shall I start?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Dig in anywhere you like. Taste the lighter honey first.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Try that so I've got a comparison? - Yeah.- Ah!- You can eat the wax.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Look at that colour. That's gorgeous.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- Quite a light honey, that one. - Yes, it is. Very pale. Here we go.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Mmm. I love honey.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54That is gorgeous.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Do you want to try a bit of the darker honey?- Oh, I love that.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I'm going to swap spoons. That is divine.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Let's go for the dark bit. Am I in the dark bit?- Yes, go for that.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- It doesn't look darker on the spoon, does it?- Not on the spoon,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09but if you look at it in the comb, it's quite different, darker there.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- It's richer.- Yes, yes.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15So, the darker the colour honey, the stronger the taste is.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- It's more like sweets or toffee. - Yes.- Oh, it's lovely!
0:18:19 > 0:18:22As part of the BBC's Summer Of Wildlife,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Countryfile challenged the natural history cameraman
0:18:25 > 0:18:30Richard Taylor-Jones to film only the wildlife near his house.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34This week's was particularly tough, so let's find out how he got on.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44These angling lakes are right on my doorstep at home in Kent.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There's an abundance of wildlife here, including water voles,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51which I filmed a few weeks back.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55And whilst I was with them
0:18:55 > 0:18:59I realised another species was clearly in abundance, too -
0:18:59 > 0:19:01kingfishers.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I only got the briefest and most distant of shots,
0:19:06 > 0:19:07which isn't surprising -
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I was, after all, there to film the water voles.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14But knowing that they're here is really tantalising,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and so I can't resist trying to get some much, much closer shots.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Two pairs live here at the lakes, and it's not hard to understand why.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26There are just heaps of muddy banks around,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29in which kingfishers love to make nests.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Great for the birds, but not so great for filming,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34and here's why.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Normally, filming kingfishers involves using a perch like this.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41You simply stick it in so it's over the water's edge,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and a kingfisher just can't resist stopping to have a look
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and see if there are any fish.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49But, here at the lakes, there are perches everywhere.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53There are dead trees hanging over the water. There are reed beds.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55There are dense bushes.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56So, where do I put my perch?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59What's more, there are lakes over there,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and there are lakes over there, and there are more lakes behind me,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05so the kingfishers are whizzing in all sorts of different directions,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07travelling around the lakes.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10It could be weeks and weeks before they found a perch
0:20:10 > 0:20:13that I'd put out for them.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14And I haven't got weeks.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18In fact, I've only got 24 hours.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20So, what to do?
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Well, I found a long, narrow dyke leading away from the lakes.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28There is only one way the kingfishers can travel about,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and that's up and down it,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33so they'll have to fly past my perch. It's perfect.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39It's going to go into the bank, a nice firm shove,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42making sure some of it is nicely leaning over the water there.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44And then it's time to get the hide up.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54I have to admit, I'm expecting a long wait,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57but within half an hour look what turns up.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01Ohh!
0:21:03 > 0:21:05HE WHISPERS: I thought we'd have to wait an awful lot longer
0:21:05 > 0:21:07than this for the bird to arrive.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10He's...
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Oh.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Oh, it's gone!
0:21:13 > 0:21:16What a good start that was.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Didn't stay very long,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20but he clearly likes that perch.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I don't think it's going to be
0:21:22 > 0:21:25a huge amount of time before he's back.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Perhaps I spoke a bit too soon.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33A couple of hours pass, and no kingfisher.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Still, there's plenty around to keep me occupied,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39like this beautiful emperor dragonfly.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45We've got over 30 different species of dragonfly in the UK,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and this one is a beauty.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52It's a female, and I know that because, as you can see,
0:21:52 > 0:21:58she's just dipping her abdomen down into the water weed,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02and what she's doing is laying eggs.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Those eggs will stay underwater
0:22:04 > 0:22:08and hatch into larvae that will live underwater for a good year or so
0:22:08 > 0:22:11before hatching out in the summer months
0:22:11 > 0:22:16and becoming one of these very beautiful flying beasts.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21The waiting goes on.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23It's nearly dusk.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26It feels like all is lost.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29But then I hear a call.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30CHIRPING
0:22:30 > 0:22:33The call of a kingfisher flying down the dyke.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Is it going to stop on my perch?
0:22:45 > 0:22:46It is.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53This is clearly a male bird,
0:22:53 > 0:22:59and you can tell because they have an all-black bill.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05Female birds have some orange on the lower part.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I also know that it's an adult because,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13if you look at its feet,
0:23:13 > 0:23:14they're bright red.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20In juvenile birds they're much more of a sort of a browny colour.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24It's a very, very handsome character.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31And he's clearly intently staring at something below,
0:23:31 > 0:23:36so I think there probably are some small fish passing around underneath.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Diving for fish is not an easy business,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45and all this intense staring around and sizing up the prey is really
0:23:45 > 0:23:49important because if they get their dive wrong, they could very
0:23:49 > 0:23:52easily injure themselves with the speed they're going into the water.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The bird seems to be waiting a long time before diving.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01And then the reason why becomes clear.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08It needs to regurgitate a pellet
0:24:08 > 0:24:11full of old fish bones it didn't digest.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16I've never managed to film that happening before,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21but with no time to enjoy the shot, the kingfisher is now ready to dive.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44He doesn't come back to the perch,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47but leaves with a fish before I can film him.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52His job is done, and so is mine.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58You know what? Some species really are worth making the effort for,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03and I think kingfishers are one of them. That was just fantastic.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05And if you've got them on your local river or lake,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07then why not give this a go?
0:25:07 > 0:25:10You just might get some spectacular views of them.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15If you want to discover more about the incredible species
0:25:15 > 0:25:18in your own back yard, go to the Countryfile website,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22where you'll find all the information about BBC Summer Of Wildlife,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25and how you can be part of it.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Now, earlier, we looked at the increase in the number of farmers'
0:25:36 > 0:25:40fields being used to generate solar power in our countryside,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44but is this controversial method the best way
0:25:44 > 0:25:46of making the most of energy from the sun?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Here's Tom.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Sunshine - a free source of power from the sky.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58But, despite the recent growth of solar farms across the UK,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01we're still lagging behind many of our European neighbours.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Countries like Spain, Italy and Germany
0:26:05 > 0:26:07get far more energy from the sun than we do.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12In fact, on a sunny day earlier this year, Germany broke a world record,
0:26:12 > 0:26:17getting as much energy from the sun as 20 typical nuclear reactors.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23OK, that was just for a single day, but in general,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Germany does get nearly 5% of its electricity from the sun.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29In Italy, that figure is 4%,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and in Spain, 3%.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34And here in the UK,
0:26:34 > 0:26:40well, last year just one third of 1% of our electricity came from solar.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44So, why are we lagging so far behind?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Winford, on the outskirts of Bristol,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51is seemingly peppered with rooftop panels.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I'm going door-to-door to see what those who don't have them
0:26:54 > 0:26:56have to say about solar power.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00I can see some panels what looks like next door.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- Yes, they're next door's. - But not on your own roof?- No.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I see that quite a few houses have got them on the roof here.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- You haven't got any panels. - No.- Why is that?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I personally don't like the look of them on the roof.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I'm not saying that those are unpleasant to look at.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I just prefer to see our roof.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18You're surrounded by quite a few solar panels here.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- Did you think about it yourself? - I thought about it, but decided not.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Why?- Because I'm too old, for one thing!
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- Really?- Yes, I am. - No, get out!
0:27:28 > 0:27:32I am too old for it. I'd never get my money back at all,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and I don't like the look of them on the country cottages.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41Similar views are reflected right across the UK.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Many of us, it seems, just prefer roof tiles to solar panels,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49and we need a decent financial incentive to change that.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52A few years ago, that's exactly what we had.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57The owner of this fine house paid about 14,000
0:27:57 > 0:28:01for his solar panels three years ago.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05OK, it's time to come clean - this is actually my house,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08and these panels were fitted back in 2010,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11since when they've been happily generating electricity.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Mainly, of course, when the sun shines.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19And any electricity I generate earns a subsidy at a Government-set rate
0:28:19 > 0:28:21known as the feed-in tariff.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24In theory, I'll have paid for the panels by 2020,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26and after that I'll be making a profit.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I decided to go for solar
0:28:33 > 0:28:37because it was a very good investment for me at the time.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I get around 44p for every kilowatt hour of electricity
0:28:41 > 0:28:45that those generate, guaranteed for 25 years.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47But ever since then the rate's been decreasing,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49and if you were to put them on your roof now
0:28:49 > 0:28:51you'd get around a third of that.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55The cost of the panels has come down, too,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58but cuts to the feed-in tariff over the last few years
0:28:58 > 0:29:02have had an obvious impact on those looking to invest.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Paul Cowley has been fitting solar panels
0:29:07 > 0:29:09to houses for the last 20 years.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12He's seen the effects of changing tariffs first-hand.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18What's the story of solar been like for you in the past few years?
0:29:18 > 0:29:23We've experienced the highs of the early feed-in tariff,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26a very considerable incentive for homeowners.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30I think in a period of four weeks, we went from a handful
0:29:30 > 0:29:34of installations a week up to somewhere around about 250.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35And the low point?
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Between November and March this year,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41which I think was common across the industry.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Very quiet times,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46and I know a number of very good companies locally,
0:29:46 > 0:29:51good friends, also, that weren't able to see through the period.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Really? Some of your mates in the solar world in effect went bust?
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- Yeah, absolutely.- Wow.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Paul's getting a bit more solar work now
0:30:00 > 0:30:02but, following another tariff cut last year,
0:30:02 > 0:30:06there was a 40% drop in installations across the country.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10At their current levels, it's claimed
0:30:10 > 0:30:13that in most parts of the UK you would now make more money
0:30:13 > 0:30:16by investing in an ISA rather than solar panels.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It's not just returns for homeowners that are falling -
0:30:21 > 0:30:26large-scale solar farms like this are seeing their financial rewards squeezed.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30And the same trend is happening across the rest of Europe,
0:30:30 > 0:30:35but there they've already had established growth.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37So, have we now missed the boat
0:30:37 > 0:30:40when it comes to investing in solar energy?
0:30:40 > 0:30:44No minister was available to talk to us about this.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Instead, the Government suggested that we speak
0:30:47 > 0:30:49to the Solar Trade Association.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Is the solar boom over?
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Definitely not. We feel really confident.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57We've certainly got some challenges in the industry,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59but we feel really confident this is just the beginning
0:30:59 > 0:31:03and, actually, you're going to see the price of solar continue to fall.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06And, actually, solar's going to become cheaper than pretty much
0:31:06 > 0:31:08any other energy generation source, even fossil fuels.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10So, actually, this is just the beginning,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13and what we're hoping to see is solar really taking off,
0:31:13 > 0:31:17especially towards the end of this decade, really without subsidy,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20so the boom has really actually only just begun.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Despite falling subsidies, the industry remains
0:31:28 > 0:31:33remarkably optimistic about delivering lots more solar power,
0:31:33 > 0:31:38but they're also keenly aware that it needs to be properly planned
0:31:38 > 0:31:42and sited to avoid stoking public hostility.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48Solar power may well become more financially attractive again,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51but concerns over the visual impact of panels,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53whether on rooftops or in farmers' fields,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55may be more difficult to overcome.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59For some, this will always be one kind of farming
0:31:59 > 0:32:01that doesn't belong in our landscape.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11I've been discovering all about Staithes' artistic heritage
0:32:11 > 0:32:14and, since next weekend is the annual art festival,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18I thought I'd knock up my own contribution to the big event.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I've called on the vision of local artist Ian Burke.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25He's the drawing master at Eton College.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Yes, THE Eton College.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Ian spends his spare time back here in Staithes,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34photographing village life as a source of material for his work.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Right then, Ian, so how are we going to represent Staithes in 2013?
0:32:39 > 0:32:42We're going to do a linocut.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43- OK.- I mean...
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It's a pretty crude
0:32:46 > 0:32:49but quite dramatic method of producing an image.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53It's not a refined thing. It's not like etching or photography.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54It's black and white.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- It's very bold, though, and it has a real impact.- It suits me.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01So, you've got women here, we've got lobsters...
0:33:01 > 0:33:02There's all sorts going on.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05What have you chosen for this particular piece?
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Well, we've selected this particular photograph.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09Several things I like about it.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11The angle of the village, the angle of the boat.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13It looks like a bit of motion.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Then we get a nice view of all the lads who are in the boat.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Right, well, let's work with that, then,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21and show me the first stage. Let's get all these out the way.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Linocut printing involves cutting out a picture from a piece of lino,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28obviously.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32You then cover the lino with ink and make a print from it.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35It all starts by tracing out the image to be printed.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Why did you choose him, then? He's an interesting character.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Dave Hanson. He's the last sort of full-time fishermen in Staithes,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47and bearing in mind there used to be about 300 boats going out of Staithes...
0:33:49 > 0:33:52The thing about it is, lino printing, you can do it on a kitchen table.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57It's like a really low-tech, Luddite method of printmaking.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Well, I think we've got something to work with there, Ian.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04'Let's just hope my marks have transferred to the lino.'
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- Ooh! Got something!- Yes.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'Now for a bit of marking in.'
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Yeah, it'd be better if you didn't change Dave too much,
0:34:14 > 0:34:16because he's going to see it later on.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Well, now you've got involved, I can blame you.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Right. How do you think...
0:34:25 > 0:34:26that's looking now?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28That's ready to go now.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29My back's killing!
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- Yeah, you need to sit down for this bit.- Oh, right.
0:34:32 > 0:34:33Good - I get a chair!
0:34:33 > 0:34:38It is a long process but, you know, masterpieces take time.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43With it all marked in, there's just the picture to cut and carve out.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Oh, now I thought the first stage was therapeutic.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- It's good, isn't it? - This is quite nice.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- Look at that coming off there. That's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- They have competitions to see who can get the longest one.- Yeah.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05'The lino cut is made, so it's off to Ian's printer.'
0:35:07 > 0:35:08Stage three, then.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14'The walls of Ian's studio are covered with his work.'
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Big, bold images inspired by old photographs -
0:35:17 > 0:35:20just like the print that we're preparing.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29'Once the ink has been applied, it can be laid in the beautiful
0:35:29 > 0:35:32'old press that's been printing since 1856.'
0:35:39 > 0:35:41There should be pressure on there now.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44That's it.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47How long do I have to remain in this position?
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- It's done now.- That's it?- Yes.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Wind it out and the print should be printed.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'It's the moment of truth.'
0:36:00 > 0:36:02There you go.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Yes!
0:36:05 > 0:36:07- I'm over the moon with that.- Yeah.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08I'm quite relieved.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10HE LAUGHS
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Yes. Chuffed.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Well, you'll have to wait and see.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18'And that's because I'll be revealing our handiwork
0:36:18 > 0:36:19'at the end of the programme.'
0:36:28 > 0:36:29It's harvest season.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Up and down the UK, combine harvesters
0:36:31 > 0:36:33are working double-time
0:36:33 > 0:36:36to get the crops in whilst the sun shines.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39For Adam, the conditions are perfect,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41so right now it's all about the wheat.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Harvest is one of the busiest times of year for farmers,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54and, really, it's when we get to reap the rewards
0:36:54 > 0:36:56of a year's hard work.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59The guys were combining last night until about midnight,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01and we've just taken a grain sample back to the farm
0:37:01 > 0:37:05to see whether this wheat is dry enough to go this morning.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08We had quite a heavy dew and it needs to be dry to combine it.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11And just biting into it, it's pretty crisp
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and I'd guess it's ready to go.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Driving the combine is one of the best jobs on the farm.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19I used to do a lot of it when I was younger,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22and it's a very technical machine to drive nowadays.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25It's got an on-board computer, a yield monitor in the tank
0:37:25 > 0:37:27that weighs the grain as it comes in
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and you get a yield map of the whole field.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32It's all satellite navigation on top of it, as well.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35And it's thrashing the grain out of the heads here
0:37:35 > 0:37:38and we're ending up with very clean and pure grain
0:37:38 > 0:37:40that's going back to the shed.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43This is very good-quality stuff we're growing here - this is for bread-making.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45A lot of people grow wheat for animal feed,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49but this is some of the best stuff you can get for bread-making.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59It's got a cutter bar that cuts the straw on the front of the combine.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01It then gets fed along an auger,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03up an elevator into the main body,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05which is where the difficult bit happens -
0:38:05 > 0:38:08it thrashes the straw and separates the grain
0:38:08 > 0:38:10and then puts the grain into a tank
0:38:10 > 0:38:12and all the straw falls out the back.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21If you have a look under the straw,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23what we have to do is shake it up,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25and then part the straw
0:38:25 > 0:38:28and see whether there's any spillage out the back.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33And we expect a little bit to come over the back of the combine,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36but, actually, I can't find a single grain.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39This straw is completely thrashed
0:38:39 > 0:38:41and the grain is all in the tank,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43which is where it needs to be.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45After maize and rice,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48there's more wheat grown in the world than any other cereal.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51And it turns up in the most surprising places.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55It has many different uses.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58There's the obvious foods, like bread, cake, biscuits,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00breakfast cereals.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04It's in many beers and, of course, durum wheat makes pasta.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06And then it's lots of things you don't think about,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09like gravy and sauces, it's in sausages and burgers.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12In fact, it's quite hard to avoid it.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14But it's not just for human consumption.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17I feed my livestock with wheat pellets.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20The straw makes good bedding, and it's also used to thatch roofs.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23But it doesn't stop there.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26I'm off to find out how the grain is being used
0:39:26 > 0:39:28to fuel 21st-century transport.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Increasingly, the wheat is being fermented to produce bioethanol,
0:39:34 > 0:39:38a green fuel that's mixed with petrol you get from the pump.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Producing bioethanol isn't easy.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42It takes some pretty specialist equipment.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45And you can't just use any old wheat.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It's got to meet the right specification.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52So, I'm off to meet farmer John Holby near Hull in East Yorkshire.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54- Hi, John, good to see you.- Hi.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- It's all go.- Yeah, dust flying.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59I'll bet he's glad he's got an air-conditioned cab.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02He'll be the least tired man at the end of the day.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03HE LAUGHS
0:40:05 > 0:40:08How exciting is the new outlet, then, bioethanol?
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Well, it's very good for us
0:40:09 > 0:40:11because it's a huge plant
0:40:11 > 0:40:14and going to suck up a lot of wheat from this area
0:40:14 > 0:40:16and probably most of northern England.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22'There's increasing pressure to grow more crops for fuel,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24'but we have a limited amount of land.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28'Somewhere down the line, we may have to choose between fuel or food.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30'But right now, hundreds of millions of pounds
0:40:30 > 0:40:33'are being poured into the bioethanol business.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36'This plant, just four miles from John's farm,
0:40:36 > 0:40:41'is the biggest in the UK, producing 420 million litres a year.'
0:40:44 > 0:40:48To find out more, I'm meeting up with Rick Taylor, commercial director at the plant.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- What an impressive sight. - This is big, isn't it?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54What sort of investment are you talking about here?
0:40:54 > 0:40:58This is around 350 million pounds' worth of investment into this thing.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00And what's going on?
0:41:00 > 0:41:03We're essentially taking local wheat and bringing it here,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05turning into flour, brewing it into a beer
0:41:05 > 0:41:10and then making bioethanol and animal feed to go to UK farms.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- Can we look downstairs?- Absolutely.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21These are our fermentation tanks.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25This is where we first bring the flour from the wheat,
0:41:25 > 0:41:27put water in it and brew some beer.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29So, the wheat comes in and is then crushed into flour?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Yes, so we take the wheat, crush it into flour,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35bring it in here with water, put some yeast in,
0:41:35 > 0:41:41and it bubbles away just like if you were brewing a home brew beer kit in these things.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- Just on a massive scale? - On a massive scale.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Each one of these is like a UK brewery, it's that size.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48Incredible.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52'There's surprisingly little waste.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54'Once the alcohol is distilled out for fuel,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56'the solids are turned into animal feed.'
0:41:58 > 0:42:01'Livestock nuts are a staple food for many animals,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04'providing them with the protein they need.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07'A pile like this would feed my pigs for a lifetime.'
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Goodness me, that's quite a big heap, isn't it?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11It is, yeah, it's amazing.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13What sort of tonnage are you producing?
0:42:13 > 0:42:15We produce about 500,000 tonnes a year
0:42:15 > 0:42:18out of the one million tonnes a week that comes in.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20That's enough to feed about 340,000 cows,
0:42:20 > 0:42:24or, a little bit more simply, it's just under 20% of the UK herd.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- Goodness me, that's a lot of feed, isn't it?- It is.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Do you see this not as a by-product?
0:42:29 > 0:42:31No, this is definitely not a by-product.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34We designed this plant to make two things -
0:42:34 > 0:42:36the bioethanol and the animal feed for UK farms.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- All right Adam, we've got a road tanker coming in to load.- OK.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44This is where we load the ethanol on to trucks to take out into the UK
0:42:44 > 0:42:46and blend into petrol.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48And what sort of percentage goes into petrol?
0:42:48 > 0:42:50We're up to about 5% in petrol at the moment.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Ultimately, we're looking to get to about ten.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55This is the ethanol that goes into this truck.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59You wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and water -
0:42:59 > 0:43:01it's that clean. Imagine the wheat when it comes in
0:43:01 > 0:43:03and this is what comes out the other end.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06And, as far as a green energy, what does it do for the environment?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09In our plant, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions -
0:43:09 > 0:43:12so that's the stuff that comes out the back of your exhaust -
0:43:12 > 0:43:13by about 50%.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16That's about the equivalent of taking somewhere around
0:43:16 > 0:43:20- 180,000 cars off the road every year.- Goodness me!
0:43:20 > 0:43:23We produce 420 million litres of this stuff every year.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Wow. Exciting stuff.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27- Yeah, it's great. - Certainly don't want it to go bang.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Not at all, and we're very careful about that.
0:43:30 > 0:43:31THEY LAUGH
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Learning about this process has reminded me
0:43:43 > 0:43:45just how important the UK harvest is
0:43:45 > 0:43:47and how we all rely on it, one way or another.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50And if you want to learn more about not just bringing in the wheat,
0:43:50 > 0:43:52but fruit and veg, too,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56there's an exciting new programme on BBC Two called Harvest.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00It's on this Wednesday with Philippa Forrester and Gregg Wallace.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03All over the country, the race is on to bring in our food.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05It's harvest time!
0:44:12 > 0:44:16We'll be discovering the remarkable craft and magic of farming,
0:44:16 > 0:44:19and finding out just where our food comes from.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25That's Harvest, this Wednesday at 8pm on BBC Two.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35On the North Yorkshire Coast,
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Matt's been learning why the fishing village of Staithes
0:44:38 > 0:44:41is still a magnet for painters.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44It's also a big draw for the bucket and spade brigade
0:44:44 > 0:44:46in search of simpler pleasures.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51At low tide, there's something special for them to discover,
0:44:51 > 0:44:53and this is it.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56And I've been told that it's littered with gems.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Real treasure.
0:45:00 > 0:45:04One of the treasures is the semi-precious stone jet.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08Foreshore guide Sean Baxter has promised to help me find some.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11- You see the rectangle in the cliff here?- Yeah.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13That's actually a jet mine.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16- Was it a big industry, jet? - It was a fairly big industry.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Queen Victoria used it as a mourning jewellery,
0:45:18 > 0:45:22and, yeah, it was quite a big industry in this era.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24And still to this day, actually,
0:45:24 > 0:45:26there's quite a lot of jet-carving shops at Whitby.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28- And they use it for decorative purposes?- Yes.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32It's a semi-precious stone, it's quite valuable.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35I mean, you're looking at £50 Sterling per pound in weight.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38- Wow!- So, yeah, it's relatively valuable.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43'So much jet is still washed out of the cliffs,
0:45:43 > 0:45:46'even I have a chance of finding some.'
0:45:49 > 0:45:52- Ah-ha, is this it?- No way.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54- Is that it? - HE LAUGHS
0:45:54 > 0:45:56Let me have a look.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59'My own piece of seaside treasure.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01'The other gem here is lobster.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04'Sean's licensed to take two a day.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06'And it seems we're in luck.'
0:46:08 > 0:46:09Let's get this one out.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11Oh, it's heavy - is that a good sign?
0:46:11 > 0:46:13No, it's just generally heavy.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16Oh, no, wow. Here we go.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19That's a good one. Just mind the claws underneath.
0:46:19 > 0:46:20- Oh, yes!- That's not bad.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22There's a buried female.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25- When you say "buried", you mean she's got eggs?- She's got eggs.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Let's have her out first, so we don't damage her.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30- Straight in.- There we go.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32Goodness. Oh, yeah, plenty there.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35So, what's the deal? You catch a female with eggs,
0:46:35 > 0:46:37what do you need to do?
0:46:37 > 0:46:40You can take this, you're legally allowed to take this.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42I can take this home and eat this if it's sized.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44Let's measure it to make sure it is.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46From the eye socket to the back of the carapace,
0:46:46 > 0:46:50- it's absolutely sized. - That's big enough. - It's a lovely big thing.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53But I don't really want or need any more lobsters.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55We will V-notch the tail.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57Once we've V-notched the tail
0:46:57 > 0:47:00then she's protected, no-one else can take it
0:47:00 > 0:47:02for the next two or three casts, so she'll breed for another
0:47:02 > 0:47:04two, three, four times
0:47:04 > 0:47:07before the V-notch we're going to put in grows out.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11I feel a bit weird about doing this.
0:47:11 > 0:47:12You shouldn't do.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15You're basically putting that in there and giving it
0:47:15 > 0:47:17a good clunk as fine as it will actually go.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20- And then take a chunk out? - Take a chunk out, quite robustly.
0:47:20 > 0:47:21Here we go then.
0:47:23 > 0:47:24Oh!
0:47:24 > 0:47:28As I say, she'll definitely survive that.
0:47:28 > 0:47:29There's no problem.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33The action is a bit hard to do, but this saves her life.
0:47:33 > 0:47:34Let's get her back in straight away,
0:47:34 > 0:47:36because she's been out a little while.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39She needs to heal that tail and reproduce.
0:47:39 > 0:47:40- Exactly.- Off you go.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46'And the sea has one more treasure for us.'
0:47:48 > 0:47:51- Kelp crisps.- Goodness, they look really fabulous!
0:47:51 > 0:47:53They are quiet good.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57They're basically deep-fat fried in the chip pan,
0:47:57 > 0:47:58and really quite salty.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00CRUNCHING
0:48:00 > 0:48:01Incredibly crispy.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04- They come ready-seasoned, don't they?- They do.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07They talk about the seaweed being able to tell the weather.
0:48:07 > 0:48:09In particular, this kelp, they say if it's dry
0:48:09 > 0:48:11and shrivelled up, maybe weather's good.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13If it's plumped up, it's going be wet.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16It absorbs the moisture from the atmosphere, that's the theory.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Thankfully, we have something a little more reliable than that,
0:48:19 > 0:48:21the Countryfile Five-Day Forecast.
0:50:50 > 0:50:57.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14We're in Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast,
0:51:14 > 0:51:20a fishing village with cheek-by-jowl houses and narrow cobbled lanes.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23Fishing built this village,
0:51:23 > 0:51:26the fishermen putting out to sea in traditional coble boats.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29It was hard and dangerous work.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31And in a small community like this
0:51:31 > 0:51:33it was all hands on deck.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36Including, of course, the women.
0:51:38 > 0:51:42It's a history known well to local Ann Lawson.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45How tough was it for the fisherwomen here?
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Again, I would have said very, very hard.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52If their husband was fishing, they would then be doing
0:51:52 > 0:51:54cooking, lighting the fires,
0:51:54 > 0:51:58and they all had boilers in the fireplaces
0:51:58 > 0:52:00they'd do crabs in.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02And when they'd done that they'd have washing
0:52:02 > 0:52:04and mending and things.
0:52:04 > 0:52:05Child-rearing, all of that.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08Yeah, getting the kids out and things like that.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Tell me about these bonnets you've got here.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14The white one is a Staithes bonnet,
0:52:14 > 0:52:18and all the fishermen's wives wore them,
0:52:18 > 0:52:20every day without fail.
0:52:20 > 0:52:21Are we able to see it on?
0:52:21 > 0:52:24- Of course. Just hold that.- OK.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26I'll get the back strap.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28These are called strings, by the way.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Let's say we were dealing with pretty wintry weather,
0:52:31 > 0:52:35bring that forward for warmth, keep your hair out your face...
0:52:35 > 0:52:37And keep the sun, as well, from the back of your neck.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40The menfolk of Staithes also had traditional clothing -
0:52:40 > 0:52:42the gansey woollen jumper.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45And Ann's been making those, too.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Tell me about these jumpers here.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51They're made from four-ply wool, which is fine,
0:52:51 > 0:52:54and the fishermen always wore them.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58And there was navy blue, you could get cream,
0:52:58 > 0:53:02very occasionally red, but Staithes was always navy blue.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04This pattern's amazing - is this distinctive?
0:53:04 > 0:53:06This is the Staithes pattern.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11# Our herring croft, our trawlers
0:53:11 > 0:53:14# Our fishing smacks, as well... #
0:53:14 > 0:53:16And it's thanks to Ann the Men of Staithes Choir
0:53:16 > 0:53:18have been kitted out with ganseys.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22APPLAUSE
0:53:25 > 0:53:27What's all this? Hello!
0:53:27 > 0:53:29You're here just in time for the reveal
0:53:29 > 0:53:32- of our piece of artwork.- Indeed!
0:53:32 > 0:53:34- Are you ready for this? - I am excited!
0:53:34 > 0:53:36First of all, just have a good look
0:53:36 > 0:53:37- at Dave and Darren here...- Gotcha.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40Because, basically, they're our subjects.
0:53:40 > 0:53:41Ah!
0:53:41 > 0:53:44- Are we ready for this? - Ready for the big reveal!
0:53:44 > 0:53:46So it doesn't blow away! Are you ready, lads?
0:53:46 > 0:53:48- Yeah.- The expectation on Dave's face(!)
0:53:48 > 0:53:51He can't wait, beside himself with excitement(!)
0:53:51 > 0:53:53- There we are, look.- Wow!
0:53:53 > 0:53:55- And there it is!- That's fabulous.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58Ta-dah! Can you work out what that is, Dave?
0:53:58 > 0:53:59LAUGHTER AND WHISTLING
0:53:59 > 0:54:01APPLAUSE
0:54:01 > 0:54:03There we are, everyone at the back.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10There's just time for one more thing.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13If you would like to vote for the winner of this year's
0:54:13 > 0:54:16photographic competition, you only have until midnight.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19Here are the finalists and what you need to do.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24If you want to vote by phone, calls will cost 10p
0:54:24 > 0:54:26from a BT landline.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29Other operators may vary and calls from mobile phones
0:54:29 > 0:54:31will be considerably higher.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38If Daisy Sunburst is your favourite, call...
0:54:46 > 0:54:51For Pier Sunset, dial the same number with 02 at the end.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57For Meadow Meander,
0:54:57 > 0:54:59add an 03.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07For Feeding Frenzy,
0:55:07 > 0:55:09the last digits are 04.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19To vote for When Feathers Fly, add 05.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28For The Dell, it's 06.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38To opt for Dinner For One, you'll need to dial 07.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48For Fulmars Roost On Ancient Rocks, add 08.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57To vote for Swan Lake, it's 09.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06For Sheep Skyline, you'll need to dial 10.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16If Ailsa Craig takes your fancy, add 11.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25And, for Guardian Angel, add 12.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33You can also vote for free online.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35Go to...
0:56:37 > 0:56:40If you don't already have one,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42you'll need to create a BBC web ID.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46Then choose your favourite photo from the list and click Vote Now.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49Our website also contains a full list of the photos
0:56:49 > 0:56:52and the phone numbers, together with the terms and conditions
0:56:52 > 0:56:54for the competition.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57The lines stay open until midnight tonight.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01If you call after then, your vote won't be registered.
0:57:01 > 0:57:03The online vote closes at the same time.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09# Our herring croft, our trawlers
0:57:09 > 0:57:12# Our fishing smacks, as well
0:57:12 > 0:57:15# They long defied the bitter night
0:57:15 > 0:57:18# And battled with the swell...#
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Well, that's all we've got time for from Staithes.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23Next week we'll be in Dorset, where I'm going to be
0:57:23 > 0:57:26having a go on one of those massive traditional steam engines.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30- Can't wait.- And I shall be cooking up some hearty local fare,
0:57:30 > 0:57:32- Jamaican-style. - Oh! What-Ja-Makin'(?!)
0:57:32 > 0:57:34You'll have to wait and find out!
0:57:34 > 0:57:36- See you.- See you, bye!
0:57:36 > 0:57:39# With their sails close-reefed and their decks cleared up
0:57:39 > 0:57:42# And the sidelights shining bright... #
0:58:03 > 0:58:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd