This edition of Count Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with Hannah Hauxwell on her Balderdale farm catching up on some drystone walling. In the studio John speaks with Barry Bridgewater who shows John how to build a drystone wall. Next, naturalist, and long-distance walk John Hillaby explores the ruins of an old textile mill near Scammonden Dam in West Yorkshire to see how nature has reclaimed the land. In the evening he joins members of the local hunt inside their local...

This edition of Count Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with Hannah Hauxwell on her Balderdale farm catching up on some drystone walling. In the studio John speaks with Barry Bridgewater who shows John how to build a drystone wall. Next, naturalist, and long-distance walk John Hillaby explores the ruins of an old textile mill near Scammonden Dam in West Yorkshire to see how nature has reclaimed the land. In the evening he joins members of the local hunt inside their local pub for the traditional ceremony of christening the newest litters of beagle pups. Following John, Marylyn Webb visits Clapham near Settle in North Yorkshire to learn about Regional Farrer, father of the rock garden. Back in the studio Michael Cleggs give a run down on what’s happening in nature and the various migrant birds who are making their way to our shores this winter. Finally in this edition to the Nidderdale Show at Pateley Bridge where Marylyn Webb joins John Holliday, Chief Steward at the sheepdog trials and following his run speaks with shepherd John Suttill about his run with dog Trix. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Title: Country Calendar The programme is introduced from the studio sofa by John Noakes and alongside him, his dog Skip. Title: John Noakes John highlights the programmes topics, and the reporters on the programme which include, Marilyn Webb, John Hillaby and Michael Clegg The first item is from Hannah Hauxwell on her remote farm in Baldersdale. She’s concerned this week about damage to a dry-stone wall. She replaces some smaller stones on one damaged wall not far from the farmhouse. She says they are important but it’s a struggle to keep them maintained, as she admits she’s not an expert at walling. She says leave any damaged wall unrepaired and the winter weather will make it worse. Back in the studio a table is set up with some stones with expert Barry Bridgewater on hand to demonstrate building a dry-stone wall. Title: Barry Bridgewater – Dry-Stone Waller John asks Barry about his background and when he started dry stone walling. He says he has been building walls for fifteen years. Barry starts building a wall in the studio and he describes how he puts the stones together. John asks about regional variations in dry stone walling, Barry says there are variations in construction in other areas and he can spot the differences. Barry is left to build the wall in the studio as John introduces the next item. The item opens with a high angle view looking down on traffic on the M62. John Hillaby naturalist and long-distance walker, speaks from the Scammonden bridge which traverses the M62, near the Scammonden Dam in West Yorkshire. John is about to explore some of the towns and villages in an area on part of the Pennine Way route. A view of the rolling green countryside shows the chimney of an old textile mill. John walks down a cobbled road towards the camera, he points out that the mill owners had access to steam power in the mill and water power from a nearby beck or stream. Approaching an old wooden gate John pushes his way through into an old stone building, the remains of a mill, which started operation in 1684. The film shows the extent of dilapidation. John describes some of the wild flowers growing amongst the remains. A view follows of the water gushing over an old sluice in the nearby beck. John stands next to waters of the mill race as he describes how the mill used the power of the stream. The water would also be used to process the wool. Next, John strides off across some moorland at sunset and makes his way to a pub. Inside he joins other customers standing at a bar, where the local hunt is christening the newest litter of beagle pups. Which involves a recitation as pup paws are placed in some punch in a silver bowl. Doing the christening is Barry Bridgewater, the dry-stone wall builder seen the studio earlier in the film. The silver vessel used for the ceremony is handed round for others to take a drink. Barry sounds the huntsman’s horn. Then members of the hunt attending the ceremony sing a traditional song. The film returns to the studio to an item about traveller and plant collector Reginald Farrer. Marylyn Webb visits North Yorkshire to investigate his background. Marylyn walks down a rain-soaked cobbled street in Settle as she introduces his story. He created a rock garden at Ingleborough Hall at Clapham, North Yorkshire. Marylyn enters a stone building in where an exhibition to celebrate his 100th anniversary has been organised by the Museum of North Craven life. On display are Reginald Farrer’s paintings, writings and photographs, Marylyn goes through a photograph album while she tells the story of his travelling and plant collecting. The film shows some of his books he wrote about plant hunting, gardening and travelling. The film shows a picture of Reginald as a young boy then as an older man. He also became a Buddhist while travelling and the exhibition shows some of his oriental clothes. A photograph of a mountainous area in Burma shows his grave at the place where he died aged forty. He was known as the father of the rock garden, and the film shows paintings of some of his plant discoveries. Back in the studio Barry continues building his dry-stone wall, and Michael Clegg joins John Noakes on the studio sofa. John asks about what is happening with wildlife generally now that winter has arrived. Title: Michael Clegg – Naturalist He says that birds will start coming in from northern Europe, and they may travel further west to Ireland if the winter in Britain is severe, and some may travel south to Spain and beyond. Michael introduces pictures of expected winter visitors including the pale coloured Glaucus gull, the Smew, a black and white duck, the Goldeneye duck, Whooper Swan, and the Bewick Swan. Country birds may visit the coast if the winter is severe including the Redwing. John introduces a report from Marylyn Webb from the Nidderdale show, and the sheepdog trials. The film shows a black and white sheepdog rounding up sheep. One of the officials, John Holliday, explains to Marilyn what the dog is doing to complete the task. She also asks him about the qualities needed in a sheepdog. Title: Marylyn Webb talking to John Holliday, Chief Steward. On camera she also asks John about the working relationship between dog and shepherd. The film then shows the dog at work as it approaches the four sheep. Marylyn continues with her questions. After a general view across the showground Marylyn interviews the competitor in the event, Jack Suttill and his dog Trix. Although he ran out of time Jack thinks the event was useful. Title: Jack Suttill and Trix The nine-year-old dog is very experienced but Jack hopes Trix will be in competitions and working on the farm for another year, possibly more. Back in the studio John talks to Barry about the almost complete section of stone wall. John ends the programme and lists the highlights of the next Country Calendar with some assistance from Michael Clegg. Credits: Country Calendar was 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