Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Conwy and Gwynedd

Matt Baker walks the Snowdonia slate trail, while Ellie Harrison finds out about the Outdoor Partnership, a project to get people outdoors and into the countryside.

Matt Baker is in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, taking a walk through history. As well as building the backbone of the region's culture, the slate industry shaped the landscape, leaving behind apocalyptic wonderlands for lovers of the outdoors to explore. Matt is on the Snowdonia slate trail - an 83-mile loop taking in some of the area's least-trodden paths.

Ellie Harrison is in the foothills of Llanberis, where the spectacular scenery is home to an activity project with a difference. The Outdoor Partnership is all about getting people outdoors. Nothing new there, but this is specifically for people who've rarely, if ever, ventured into the countryside before. From disabilities and additional needs to unemployed and all-female groups, it's all about inclusion in activities like climbing, hill-walking, rowing, sailing and paddleboarding. Ellie also meets Sydney Langton, who has a rather unusual hobby for a teenager. She likes to bring new life to dead things. Ellie meets Sydney to find out where her passion for taxidermy arose, and how she turns dead animals into works of biological art. Ellie's grounding as a biologist and naturalist means she can help Sydney put together one of her new models while explaining some of the fascinating biological elements of the subject.

Meanwhile, Adam meets a farmer with a breed of sheep so rare, they were once nearly extinct – Manx Loaghtans. And Tom Heap investigates the impact of falling farm-gate prices on the British beef industry.

55 minutes

Last on

Tue 3 Dec 2019 03:35

Slate Trail

Slate Trail

Matt is in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park taking a walk through history. 

He’s on the ‘Snowdonia Slate Trail’ - an 83-mile loop which enables walkers to explore the industrial heritage of the slate villages throughout Snowdonia.

Matt joins the Snowdonia Society’s group of volunteers as they lay stone slabs to form a resilient path and finds out what drives their passion for this area.

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures

Ellie is in the foothills of Llanberis, in Snowdonia National Park - well-known as the adventure capital of North Wales.

Here, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes adrenaline-pumping fun and Ellie takes to the water in Llanberis Lagoons.

Joining her on their own giant paddleboard are the members of a local MENCAP group, together with their carers and parents.

Thanks to the Outdoor Partnership group, nearly 5,000 opportunities to enjoy adventures in the countryside have been created for people with disabilities and additional needs since 2005.

Beef Prices Crisis?

Beef Prices Crisis?

UK beef farmers have had a bad 2019, facing uncertainty over Brexit, growing fears about cattle's environmental impact and a recent drop in prices at the farm gate.

And, health-wise, red meat has had some bad PR this year with supermarkets looking to cash in on a growing consumer interest in meat-free alternatives.

Tom meets farmers to see how they are coping and what they think needs to be done for the UK beef industry to weather this storm.     

And he hears why environmentalists say the global industry needs to become more sustainable. 

Teenage Taxidermist

Teenage Taxidermist
Ellie meets teenager Sydney, who has a passion for taxidermy.

That might seem like an unusual hobby for a youngster but Sydney’s skills have already earned her membership of the ‘UK Guild of Taxidermists’.

Her collection includes jays, jackdaws and mink to name a few – and you can’t miss her incredible eagle owl!


Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Matt Baker
Presenter Ellie Harrison
Presenter Adam Henson
Presenter Tom Heap
Series Producer Joanna Brame
Executive Producer William Lyons

Broadcasts