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Countryfile is in North Cornwall, and Helen Skelton finds out why artists, writers and poets flock there for inspiration. Meanwhile Matt Baker helps catch a fallow deer.

Countryfile is in North Cornwall. Matt Baker visits a stately home with an interesting past. Prideaux Place has been in the same family for fourteen generations and once housed American soldiers during the Second World War as they prepared for the D-Day landings. Matt gets access to the 'American Wing' which has remained untouched since 1943. Prideaux Place is thought to have the oldest fallow deer park herd in the country. Matt helps catch one special buck that's got himself in a spot of bother.

Meanwhile, Helen Skelton is finding out why artists, writers and poets flock to Cornwall for inspiration. She also gets on her bike to test out a new woodland trail where cycling and conservation are working hand in hand. And Adam's in Dorset meeting a young shepherd and his Christmas lambs that are taking centre stage in a nativity.

Tom Heap learns about plans to expand British farming to make the most of the increasing global market for dairy products. He travels to Wales to meet a farmer who is increasing his herd of dairy cattle and believes this is an opportunity not to be missed. But, Tom also hears from those who can't afford to expand - as well as people concerned about the consequences of producing more milk.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 23 Dec 2013 02:35

Clip

The Prideaux family home

The Prideaux family home

Prideaux Place in Cornwall is owned by the Prideaux-Brune family. They have lived in the house for fourteen unbroken generations and have a rather colourful past. Peter Prideaux-Brune tells Matt Baker all about his family history and shows him an extraordinary family pardon from King Charles II. Matt also gets the chance to see some incredibly detailed drawings by Edmund Prideaux, a talented artist who, inspired by his travels, had grand ideas about the design of the house and gardens.

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Arthur’s Christmas lamb

Arthur’s Christmas lamb

Adam Henson travels to Dorset to meet an inspirational two year old who already has his own flock of sheep. Arthur Jones spends five days a week on a farm with his grandmother. He suffers from cerebral palsy and his attachment to one lamb in particular has really helped him overcome some of the challenges he faces every day. They farm Dorset sheep, the only native breed that can breed all year around. It’s an unusual sight to see lambs at Christmas but they do have their uses. Arthur is practising for his nursery's nativity play and his cute lambs will be the centre of attention among the children.

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Rescuing Norty

Rescuing Norty

Legend has it that if the deer die out at Prideaux Place then so do their owners - the Prideaux-Brune family. Good reason then to take good care of them.Ìý Unfortunately one of their most precious bucks, Norty, has managed to adorn himself with fencing wire which is now wrapped around his antlers and body, potentially threatening his life. After one failed attempt to get rid of the wire will Matt, along with deer manager Paul Messenger, be able to cut him free?

Handplaning

Handplaning

Hannah White meets James Otter who combines his two passions of woodworking and surfing to make wooden surfboards from a bygone era using modern techniques. James tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible by using locally sourced timber and offcuts from a kitchen worktop factory. He ensures that absolutely nothing goes to waste too by making handplanes – miniature boards for riding the waves with your hands - from surfboard offcuts. Hannah then heads to the beach to learn how to use a handplane for herself and meets traditionalists who surf all year round on wooden boards.

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US Army at Prideaux Place

US Army at Prideaux Place

In the early 1940s soldiers from the US Army made Prideaux Place their home as they prepared for the D-Day landings. Mary Parr, a child living at Prideaux Place at the time, talks to Matt about her recollections of their stay. But memories weren’t the only thing they left behind. Matt explores one wing of the house which remains untouched since they departed. With help from historian Harry Bennett, Matt learns more about their life at Prideaux and what happened to two of the men who stayed thereÌý

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A milk bonanza?

A milk bonanza?

Tom Heap looks at what many are seeing as a golden opportunity for British dairy farmers. In 2015 the EU will be abolishing the milk quotas which have been in place since the early 1980s, allowing the British dairy industry to produce as much milk as it wants. Tom asks what this will mean for UK dairy farmers and how can they meet the demand of a rapidly growing global dairy market.Ìý He visits farmers and processors to find out what a bigger dairy industry could mean for the British countryside, animal welfare and dairy farmers.

Cycling meets conservation

Cycling meets conservation

Helen SkeltonÌýmeets Angela Proctor, who is helping to build family friendly cycle trails at Lanhydrock, and she helps put up some bat boxes. She then visits Lanhydrock’s partner site Cardinham Woods, which has already been built, and where the more experienced can ride. HelenÌýsoon learns that these are not just areas for an exhilarating sport – the trails are also helping to improve accessibility for wildlife conservation. She then assists Chris Mason, the ranger at Cardinham Woods, with planting Dog-violets in the hope of attracting Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies.

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Matt Baker
Presenter Helen Skelton
Presenter Adam Henson
Presenter Tom Heap
Series Producer Teresa Bogan

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