Grass

Available for over a year

It's given us our oldest stories, made England a green and pleasant land, and has even helped shape our brains. Natural Histories investigates our obsession with grass, and Arcadian toil according to Victorian writer Richard Jefferies. Humans evolved in the grasslands and the major food crops (all grasses) have made us what we are. Thousands of years later it even gives suburban man an energy and a purpose through the summer. Brett Westwood leads us through nature rich hay-meadows, through cornfields, across garden lawns and onto Wembley stadium in his quest to appreciate a neatly manicured piece of turf. How grass has influenced humanity is explored via author Tim Dee, grass expert Howard Thomas, artists Ackroyd and Harvey, Oxford gardener Simon Bagnall, historian Oliver Cox and groundsman Karl Standley. First broadcast in a longer form 18th July 2017 Original producer: Melvin Rickarby Archive producer : Andrew Dawes