Warwickshire
Matt Baker marks the centenary of the death of Joseph Arch, a farm labourer who founded the first national farm workers' union and later became an MP.
Matt and Helen are in Warwickshire, where Matt is marking the centenary of the death of Joseph Arch, the one-time farm labourer who rose to become an MP. Arch fought all his life for farm workers鈥� rights and formed the first national agricultural workers union back in the 1870s. Matt also visits Wellesborne allotments, where the owners have recently paid their own homage to Joseph Arch, who was also a great champion of allotments.
Helen learns about the importance of our hedgerows for wildlife and meets the team launching the first national hedgerow survey. She also joins the volunteers making a check at a secret site on the numbers of dormice there a year after a major reintroduction. Adam is battling against the elements to get his harvest safely home, and John, Cerys Matthews and Simon King are here to reveal the final twelve pictures the viewers will get to vote on in this years Countryfile Photographic Competition.
Last on
Joseph Arch
Warwickshire brings to mind famous names such as Shakespeare and George Eliot.
But there was another whose influence remains: Joseph Arch, a man who changed the democratic landscape for many poor rural workers.
Matt talks to 鈥楢rch expert鈥� Dr Jeremy Burchardt about the farm labourer turned MP who helped create the first Agricultural Workers' Union in the late 1800s.
Art Trail
Down the ages, art has taken much from nature. But rather than merely take from it, how can art become part of its surroundings?聽聽
Helen explores a stunning new art trail through the rolling grounds of the University of Warwick.
Its campus is spread out over 750 acres and聽 there鈥檚 a mix of ancient woodlands, lakes and meadows.聽
The art trail through it combines nature and art - to stunning effect...
Photographic Comptetition
The waiting is almost over as John is joined once again by Cerys Matthews and Simon King to choose the final 12 pictures in this year鈥檚 Countryfile Photographic Competition.
Which ones will make it through - and which will you vote as your favourite?
Hedgerows and Dormice
Helen is on the trail of one of our best-loved but most endangered creatures: the hazel dormouse.聽
Numbers of this lovable little creature have dropped by almost a third in the last 20 years.
There鈥檚 聽been a fight back here in Warwickshire and it鈥檚 being led by one of the country鈥檚 leading dormouse conservationists, Ian White 鈥� also known as Mr Dormouse!
Helen also discovers more about the vital role that our hedgerows play in their survival 鈥� and shows how Countryfile viewers can do their bit for nature...
Allotments
Matt visits the local allotments which have done much to ensure Joseph Arch鈥檚 beliefs on the importance of allotments for the community are kept alive.
These allotments don't just provide food for the table but for the soul too.聽
Matt meets Heather Brown who has turned over her plot for the use of local people living with dementia.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Matt Baker |
| Presenter | Helen Skelton |
| Presenter | Adam Henson |
| Presenter | John Craven |
| Presenter | Cerys Matthews |
| Presenter | Simon King |
| Series Producer | Joanna Brame |
| Executive Producer | Bill Lyons |
