Canals, Marinas and local slice of Salami

Country Focus - Sunday 20th January at 7.30am :

Its three months since the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal burst its banks at Gilwern near Abergavenny. Ten people had to be rescued as a torrent of water and mud swept through nearby homes. British Waterways subsequently closed a 16 mile stretch of canal for major renovation works. We report on the concerns for the long term safety of the 200 year old canal ... and for the future of the business that rely on it for trade.

Hardly a week goes by without some famous food chef or other telling us that good food, nutrition and health go hand in hand, and we must eat more fresh foods. A new book suggests that the cause of our poor health and social disorders is related to the source of our foods - the soil where it's produced. "The Local Food Lover's Bible" written by food campaigner and environmentalist Graham Harvey is published this week, in paperback by Robinson.

The National Trust has joined the ranks of those aiming to provide good quality meat from some of its properties throughout Britain. Hafod y Llan is part of a 4,000 acre farm acquired by the Trust in 1998.It stretches from Nantgwynant near Beddgelert all the way to the top of Snowdon. So ten years on since the handover, what has been achieved?

Meanwhile at the National Trust's property at Llanerchaeron outside Aberaeron Ben Hicks has been caring for the pigs and come up with and working hard on a new idea. Could this be Wales' first salami ?