Taking a wild water dip, cooking up with the DofE awards and conserving the Brown Hairstreak

Last updated: 03 June 2012

Country Focus - Sunday 3rd June at 0700; presented by Rachael Garside and repeated Monday 4th May at 0530

We've been enjoying some beautiful weather of late and it might tempt you to leap into the nearest body of water to cool off. But while public swimming pools with crowds of people and chlorine is one option it's not appealing to all .....Some prefer to swim outdoors in natural waters. Dan Graham runs a company called "Gone Swimming" which specialises in open water adventures, taking people out to explore the waters of north Wales - whether that's the mountain lakes, rivers or craggy coastline, but not everywhere is legally accessible for a wild swim.

Monmouthshire was once known for producing some of the finest textiles in the country, an industry which was almost lost with the decline of Welsh woollen mills. Twenty years ago two artists discovered, by chance the Llanover diamond pattern. After setting out to recreate the unique design on a two hundred year old loom, they are now distributing their weaves to order worldwide.

For the past 56 years the Duke of Edinburgh's Award has encourage many young people on their own personal journey of discovery and adventure. Part of the challenge is the expedition they have to go on and keeping up with the modern age the charity has just launched a new mobile phone app designed for anyone cooking outdoors with a fire or camping stove.

Conserving the Brown Hairstreak - it can only be a butterfly with a name like that. Once very widespread in Wales it has declined severely due to the loss of woodlands and hedgerows and intensive hedgerow management. Its remaining stronghold is Carmarthenshire with scattered colonies in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

And finally what have you got slithering, crawling or creeping around your back garden? The odd slow worm, lizard or perhaps a deer? People are being asked to keep a look out for wildlife in their gardens or local parks as part of the RSPB's annual summer wildlife survey this week.


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