The first edition of a new Tyne Tees Television rural affair programme Landmark presented by Eric Robson. In this edition a report on Ashdown Smokers a gourmet curing house in Cumbria, interview with Hugh Wilson from the Transport and General Workers Union (T&GWU) on fears for farm workers in the governments 'Set Aside Scheme', a Cumbrian sheep farmer who has diversified his business into photography and finally an interview with Alan Woods from the Royal Society for the...

The first edition of a new Tyne Tees Television rural affair programme Landmark presented by Eric Robson. In this edition a report on Ashdown Smokers a gourmet curing house in Cumbria, interview with Hugh Wilson from the Transport and General Workers Union (T&GWU) on fears for farm workers in the governments 'Set Aside Scheme', a Cumbrian sheep farmer who has diversified his business into photography and finally an interview with Alan Woods from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on their proposals to help bring wildlife back to farming. Title: Tyne Tees Title: Landmark The first report comes on Ashdown Smokers, a company based at Skellerah Farm, Corney near Millorn in Cumbria. The company produces gourmet smoked and cured Macon ham, mutton, cheeses and oysters. Owner Harry Fellows and wife Kate run the company producing food for restaurants and delicatessens across the UK. Harry talks about the curing and smoking processes as well as its history. Smoked quail eggs are his latest best seller which is also affordable to the normal consumer; £2.20 for a dozen. He produces for the top end of the market by providing a quality product. He is hoping to expand the business offering his products to restaurants and delicatessens on the continent. Title: Landmark The second part of the programme begins with Eric Robson interviewing Hugh Wilson from the Transport and General Workers Union (T&GWU). The government's new 'Set Aside Scheme' in which farmers take arable land out of production hasn't proved a success with only 2000 UK farmers taking it up. However, the T&GWU concern is what effect will this have on rural employment. With less land to work will people be laid off. £250,000 has been paid to one farmer for setting land aside, but only Statutory Redundancy pay is given to the worker which is not acceptable. They would like to see farm works offered the same kind of redundancy rates as steel and coal worker as well as new opportunities for employment. The next report is on sheep farmer Philip Parker of High Bales Farm near Alston in Cumbria who has diversified into photography and sells post cards across the country. He talks about his inspirations for his photos. His biggest customer is The National Trust as he sells his new range of Christmas cards to the manager of the shop in Hexham. In the final part of the programme Eric Robson interviews Alan Woods from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The society have released a document for farmers looking to scrap the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and help farmers produce more than food including wildlife packages and recreation opportunities through a Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Title: Hoi Polloi Film and Video Credit: Camera Chris Sutcliffe, Richard Edwards Credit: Sound Paul Gunn, John Myers Credit: VT Editors Sally Fryer, Edmund Quigley Credit: Research Catherine Siddall, William Moult Credit: Production Assistant Pauline Grant, Carole McKenzie Credit: Production Secretary Coreen Harvey Credit: Executive Producer Chris Potter Credit: Director Simon Lawson Credit: Producer Charles Bowden End credit: Waterfront Productions for Tyne Tees Television © MCMLXXVIII