Summer Special
The Countryfile team visit the Kent County Show for their summer special. Friend of the show John Hammond explains just why Kent is so fruitful.
The Countryfile team visit the Kent County Show for their summer special. Including tales of unlikely exhibitors - none other than Sir Winston Churchill and the youngsters following in his footsteps to champion cherries fit for the queen. Friend of the show John Hammond explains just why Kent is so fruitful with a weird and wonderful experiment demonstrating why the county's climate is so good for growing. There are jaw-dropping displays from the Metropolitan Mounted Police, as well as a Spitfire fly-by marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Football Focus and 5 Live favourite Dan Walker joins us to commentate as our presenters pit their wits against each other in a race with a difference!
Last on
The gang get together!
We’ve managed to get Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison, Tom Heap, Adam Henson and Anita Rani all in the same place, at the same time! The team heads to the Kent County Show to join the 400 exhibitors and around 75,000 visitors making their way to the showground. They get stuck in with a variety of activities that highlight the best in show – everything from a competitive pole climb between Adam and Tom to a ‘sheeple chase’ involving some unexpected four legged friends. We’re also joined by 91Èȱ¬ sports presenter Dan Walker whose commentary skills are tested by a bit of good old-fashioned bale pushing.
Anita and the mounted police
The Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch Activity Ride is one of the highlights of the Kent County Show. This demonstration of the skills of horse and officer first appeared in the main ring in 1950. Anita first meets the team at their training ground at Imber Court where she gets a chance to meet the new recruits and Steve Duffy, the inspector in charge of training. Then Anita joins the team on the big day where she sees that the ride isn’t just about wowing the crowds but also about preparing the officers and horses for working the streets of London.
Tom’s boyhood dream
In the summer of 1940, with the Germans preparing to invade, Kent was on Britain’s front line. At airstrips like, Biggin Hill, it was down to brave fighter-pilots and their planes to defend the country from daily enemy air raids. And of course, even though there were actually more Hurricanes, the Spitfire has emerged as the symbol of this struggle. Tom Heap meets aviation historian Robin Brooks who explains the particular affinity the people of Kent had for these enigmatic aircraft. He then gets a chance to fulfil a boyhood wish when he joins Richard Verrell on a very special flight above the Kent countryside.
Cherry weather
Anita joins 91Èȱ¬ weatherman, John Hammond, to discover what makes the Kent weather so perfect for cherries. With the aid of a giant map, some school children and a selection of water pistols John shows us how Kent gets its climate. And then there’s just time for a relaxing cherry salsa.....
Cherry salsa recipe
Ingredients
450g cherries (stoned and coarsely shopped)
1 fresh chilli finely chopped
1 red onion finely chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 small yellow pepper chopped
7g coriander finely chopped
Dressing
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp raspberry vinegar
1 tbsp apple juiceÂ
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp cold pressed rape seed oilÂ
Method
Mix together cherries, chillies, tomato, red onion, yellow pepper and coriander in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate jar mix the dressing ingredients together and shake well.Â
Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and mix gently.
Take the mixed ingredients and place in a jar/bowl to stand at room temperature for 3 hours and then serve.
Goes very well with rich meats (venison, pigeon or duck) but equally well with lamb burgers!Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Matt Baker |
Presenter | Ellie Harrison |
Presenter | Adam Henson |
Presenter | Tom Heap |
Participant | John Hammond |
Participant | Dan Walker |
Executive Producer | William Lyons |
Series Producer | Joanna Brame |
Broadcasts
- Sun 26 Jul 2015 19:00
- Sun 2 Aug 2015 08:00
- Mon 3 Aug 2015 02:40