Episode 4
Series celebrating the British winter. Keeley Donovan meets the four-legged volunteers whose noses can mean the difference between life and death for stranded walkers.
Keeley Donovan is in the Peak District to meet the four-legged volunteers whose noses can mean the difference between life and death for stranded walkers. Margherita Taylor travels to Kent to meet a woman who thinks she may have a solution to Britain's rural housing shortage. In order to test the health benefits claimed for outdoor swimming, Jules Hudson takes the plunge in the wintry seas off Somerset. And, as the disease threatens to sweep the country once more, smallholder Paul Martin finds out what we can do to help combat avian flu.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Music Played
![]()
Agnes Obel
Brother Sparrow
Wild Swimming
Devotees of swimming outdoors in all weathers make great claims for its health-giving benefits. But how true are they? Jules checks out the science at the University of Birmingham with physiologists Rebekah and Sam Lukas, then joins a group of hardy souls in Somerset to test the water.
Mountain Rescue
Keeley is in the Peak District, getting to know the latest recruits to the local Mountain Rescue team, the search dogs. Volunteersand their pets have to be on their game to save lives during harsh winter weather conditions - could you and your family dog step up to the mark?
Later, Keeley visits the Cairngorms, where the landscape is so harsh in winter it’s used to prepare for polar expeditions. She hears about the dangers of avalanches and learns how to dig in to survive a mountain blizzard.
Find out how you can support the Mountain Rescue Teams in your area
Photo: Credit to Damon Powell – SMR.
Straw Houses
Rising prices, a population concentration in particular parts of the country and large deposits required by mortgage lenders have all contributed to the UK’s housing shortage. Margherita meets a carpenter and joiner who thinks she has the answer – in the form of straw-bales!
To find out more about building your own house follow this link.
Nature Detectives
Helen meets the members of a study group who are monitoring the winter wildlife in their area, including one species that is completely new to science.
Avian Flu
Paul investigates the latest outbreak of bird flu, and how it could potentially affect our grocery bills. He catches up with leading Avian Influenza expert, Professor Ian Brown at the Animal and Plant Health Agency laboratory, to find out about the dangers of bird flu and what measures he needs to take to protect his own brood.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | John Craven |
| Presenter | Keeley Donovan |
| Presenter | Margherita Taylor |
| Presenter | Jules Hudson |
| Presenter | Paul Martin |
| Presenter | Helen Skelton |
| Series Producer | Chloe Rawlings |
| Executive Producer | William Lyons |
