This Sunday, Countryfile rambles through the Yorkshire Dales, offering a picturesque yet pointed look at the region’s past, present, and uncertain future. Prepare for sweeping vistas of dales and fells, but also a dose of reality concerning the challenges facing rural communities.
Sean Fletcher gets his hands dirty (possibly literally) with a large-scale tree-planting initiative aiming to restore the Dales’ original woodlands. He also checks in with a young cheesemaker keeping local culinary traditions alive, because what’s a trip to the Dales without some proper cheese?
Meanwhile, Sammi Kinghorn looks into the history of Yorkshire wool, tracing its evolution from a cottage industry to the mechanized powerhouse of water-powered textile mills. Expect some historical context, maybe a spinning wheel or two, and hopefully some very fluffy sheep.
Adding a splash of aquatic adventure, a 35-year veteran shares underwater footage from a Dales river, providing a glimpse beneath the surface of this often-overlooked ecosystem. And for the artistically inclined, a local printmaker explains how the surrounding fells inspire their creations.
But it’s not all bucolic bliss. Tom Heap, never one to shy away from a thorny issue, tackles the government’s plans for increased house building and its potential impact on the countryside. This segment looks to bring the debate into sharp focus.
Countryfile appears to be striking a balance between celebrating the Dales’ natural beauty and cultural heritage and examining the pressures it faces. It seems likely this episode will appeal to both nature enthusiasts and those interested in the future of rural Britain.
Tune in to BBC One this Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 5:20 PM for your weekly dose of countryside contemplation.
