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From Shetland to the Scilly Isles, Open Country travels the UK in search of the stories, the people and the wildlife that make our countryside such a vibrant place. Each week we visit a new area to hear how local people are growing the crops, protecting the environment, maintaining the traditions and cooking the food that makes their corner of rural Britain unique.
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As the sea gradually erodes the North Norfolk Coast a way of life is gradually being lost but some of the country's most ancient history is being discovered.
The Cromer crab, one of the area's most famous exports is becoming increasingly rare. Fishermen believe that global warming and changing tidal patterns are disrupting this age-old cycle. John Davies, whose family has been fishing off Cromer for generations takes Helen Mark out to see to show her the fall in crop he has seen over the 4 years "Normally you'd see 70 or 80 crabs in one haul, and what is there now? About 1 or 2…"
Cromer info
Meanwhile, back on shore in Happisburgh, archeologists are taking advantage of the rich pickings the coastal erosion is exposing. A few years ago history had to be rewritten when a 750,000 year old hand-axe was found in an eroded cliff, proving that mankind lived in North Norfolk much earlier than originally thought. Helen Mark sees the archeologists scraping and sifting sand to try and salvage more of Cromer's unique history.
Norfolk museums
But North Norfolk is also undergoing a cultural change. As more and more incomers and second-homers descend on the area some local people are worried their accent and dialect will become obsolete. Keith Skipper tells Helen Mark about FOND (Friends of the Norfolk Dialect) and gives her a good Norfolk talking to. Hear more by clicking on the listen again button.
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