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Episode 3

The team take a look at interesting autumn stories. Steve Brown sheds light on why one corner of Kent has become home to some stowaways with a sting in their tail.

Keeley Donovan explores the hidden dangers of hillwalking and investigates whether we might be pushing ourselves too far in the search for a bit of fresh air.

Steve Brown is shedding light on why one corner of Kent has become home to some stowaways with a sting in their tail.

Margherita Taylor finds out how one childhood favourite could turn out to be the stuff of nightmares as an invasive species of ladybird arrives in the UK in swarms.

44 minutes

Music Played

  • Nick Drake

    Introduction

  • B膬l膬nescu Quartet

    Model

  • B膬l膬nescu Quartet

    Robots

Is walking good or bad for your health?

Is walking good or bad for your health?

Stunning scenery, fresh air and a good walk in the mountains, what better way to get out and get fit? But with the number of heart attack fatalities in the mountains on the rise what should we do to keep ourselves safe out in the mountains. Keeley Donovan finds out from the Penrith Mountain Rescue what we can do to stay safe in the Lake District.

But what are the physical effects of climbing a mountain on your body? Keeley and two volunteers are put through their paces to discover the benefits, and dangers, of hiking in the hills.

It鈥檚 not just our physical health that can benefit from getting out and about in the landscape. Keeley meets Sion Jair, who didn鈥檛 let his dementia diagnosis prevent him from getting out and doing what he loves most, walking in the mountains of the Lake District. Keeley finds out just how much this means to Sion and what impact it has on his health.

In an emergency you can text 999.

Scorpion island

Scorpion island

Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey has long been the first port of call for overseas freight and travellers. But its location at the tip of Kent has meant it has become home to the odd stowaway over the years. Steve Brown has come back to his old stomping ground on the hunt for one such stowaway that may have a sting in its tail.

Giant veg

Giant veg

The world record for the heaviest green cabbage is 62 kg. It is time to see how Paul Martin鈥檚 home-grown, giant vegetables measure up to the competition. This year, it is the first time chilli growers are competing at the Malvern show in Worcestershire. Paul speaks to some familiar contestants about the secret to growing giant veg. There is even time for him to taste a chilli or two, including the notorious clockwork orange. Can he take the heat?

Killer ladybirds

Killer ladybirds

Creeping into our homes in their thousands these seasonal black and orange bugs might seem harmless but to our native ladybird species the UK鈥檚 fastest spreading invasive species spells disaster.

Margherita Taylor discovers just how destructive the Harlequin Ladybird can be and how you can get involved in the UK Ladybird Survey and help scientists to learn more not only about this invasive species but about the wider bug world.

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High-tech orchards

High-tech orchards

Matt Baker is at the other end of the UK, in Kent. With national Apple Day on the 21st October, he explores the changing face of British orchards. Matt heads to one of the country鈥檚 top apple growers and hears how this year鈥檚 total crop of English eating apples is expected to be the heaviest for 20 years. Matt also sees the cutting edge processes involved in processing the perfect British apple. It鈥檚 complex and impressive stuff, especially the computer programmes that help with predicting plant disease. But is all this really necessary to safeguard the future of the British apple industry?

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Craven
Presenter Keeley Donovan
Presenter Steve Brown
Presenter Paul Martin
Presenter Margherita Taylor
Presenter Matt Baker
Series Producer Rebecca Nunn
Executive Producer William Lyons

Broadcasts