This edition of Country Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with John speaking to Carol Blower, the owner of tame deer called Elizabeth and Alec Rogers from the British Deer Society about the numbers and types of deer in Yorkshire. Next, to Knaresborough in North Yorkshire where local resident Philip Hartley tells the strange and gruesome tale of Eugene Aram who was convicted and hanged for murder in the town during the 18th century. Back in the studio John speaks with Bill...

This edition of Country Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with John speaking to Carol Blower, the owner of tame deer called Elizabeth and Alec Rogers from the British Deer Society about the numbers and types of deer in Yorkshire. Next, to Knaresborough in North Yorkshire where local resident Philip Hartley tells the strange and gruesome tale of Eugene Aram who was convicted and hanged for murder in the town during the 18th century. Back in the studio John speaks with Bill Mitchell, the Editor of ‘The Dalesman’ magazine about where the Dales are, the importance of sheep to the area and understanding the local dialects. At the Nidderdale Show at Pateley Bridge, Marylyn Webb speaks with riding instructor Chris McGrann about the appropriate age for a child to learn to ride and how to find the right pony for them. Back in the studio John and naturalist Michael Clegg chat with birdwatcher and television personality Bill Oddie about his book ‘Bill Oddie’s Little Black Bird Book’. They talk about the many names and terms used by bird watchers or ‘twitchers’. Finally, on her Baldersdale farm Hannah Hauxwell is hay making. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Title: Country Calendar Title: John Noakes John Noakes introduces the programme from the studio sofa, alongside him his dog Skip. A brief view follows of a studio guest, a deer named Elizabeth. Also nearby studying a book on British birds is comedian, actor and avid bird watcher, Bill Oddie. The first item is about a deer. Views follow of groups of deer in parkland. John hands over care of Skip to Bill Oddie as he goes across to the deer named Elizabeth in the studio. The deer’s harness is held by her owner Carol Blowers who tells her story Title: Carol Blowers Rescued from bad health the deer is now quite healthy and tame. John then introduces studio guest Alec Rogers from the British Deer Society. Title: Alec Rogers – British Deer Society Alec outlines the function of the society, including helping in looking after the many deer resident in Yorkshire. Views follow of different breeds of deer; in the studio discussion and anecdotes follow. John introduces the next item, a murder story from Knaresborough. A view follows of the river Nidd which flows through Knaresborough, Philip Hartley a businessman and local historian lives on the riverside who has researched the story. Title: Philip Hartley From his garden he tells of an event that took place in Knaresborough in the 1700s. A view follows of the village of Ramsgill 12 miles along the river, where the story starts in 1704, the year Eugene Aram was born, 50 years later he was hanged at Tyburn, for a murder he committed at Knaresborough. Philip Hartley takes a walk along a road and continues the story. A view of a stone effigy set in the wall of a local building is said to represent Eugene Aram. Other buildings are pointed out by Philip which Eugene Aram would have known as he grew up. Academically he learnt well and his education helped him in his defence during the trial. However, he fell into bad company in Knaresborough, views of Knaresborough follow. Following an argument at Aram’s house one of the trio, Daniel Clark disappeared. Aram and the remaining member of the trio denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. Some years later remains were found in a cave near Knaresborough. They were in fact animal remains, but an accusation had already been made against Eugene Aram by the other member of the trio. Daniel Clark’s body was finally found in another cave which Philip Hartley explores with a torch while continuing the story. Aram’s trial took place in York in 1759, but the evidence of the remaining trio member was enough to Aram sentenced to death at Tyburn, and his body was returned to Knaresborough and hung from a gibbet. John introduces an item about the Dalesman magazine, featuring current affairs and stories pertaining to Yorkshire. John introduces studio guest Bill Mitchell the editor of the Dalesman. Title: Bill Mitchell Editor, The Dalesman John asks Bill questions regarding the Dales region. Bill talks about his fascination with the Dales and the people who live there. He says there are older residents who can talk about their life in a period just before the beginning of the 20th century, which he finds fascinating. Other subjects covered are Dales sheep and local dialect. Marilyn Webb reports from the Nidderdale show, this week she looks at pony riding. Marilyn asks Chris McGrann a riding instructor about the best age for a child to start riding. A young girl sits on the pony Chris McGrann is holding by the bridle as Marilyn continues her interview. Title: Chris McGrann – Riding Instructor Marilyn then talks to Victoria the young girl on the pony. Title: Victoria Banthorpe – Winner, Tack and Turnout (Under 12s) Back in the studio John introduces the next item, which is a new book by studio guest Bill Oddie called ‘Bill Oddie’s Black Bird Book’ On the sofa Bill Oddie sits next to Michael Clegg another keen bird watcher. Bill talks about his new book and he also explains some of the bird watching terminology that appears in it. Title: Bill Oddie – “Birder” Bill uses his book to illustrate a bird that Michael has been out watching during the week, Pallas’s Warbler. He then continues with explanations of terminology and the art of bird watching. Title: Michael Clegg – “Twitcher” The next item is another visit to Hannah Hauxwell who lives in the remote Low Birk Hatt Farm in Baldersdale. The report this week shows checking on her stored hay. She climbs a ladder up the outside of a stone building to a hay loft. She smells the hay as he reaches the opening to the loft. She explains some of the difficulties she’s been having making hay this season. She climbs down the ladder as her item finishes. John begins to close the programme, Michael gives advice to viewers on the birds to look out for, and Bill Oddie says he will be bird watching in the Scilly Isles. John outlines the content of the next programme. The programme finishes with views of Knaresborough Castle. Credits: Country Calendar presented by John Noakes with Marylyn Webb, Michael Clegg Editorial Assistant Mark Meysey-Thompson Director David St. David-Smith Producer John Wilford Yorkshire Television Colour Production. © Trident Television Ltd MCMLXXX