This final edition in this series of Country Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with John meeting ‘Champion of Champions’ angler Dick Clegg who is a member of the Barnsley Black fishing team. He explains to John and Michael Clegg what makes a champion fishing team. Next, Marylyn Webb speaks with George Howard who as well as being the owner of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire is also President of the Historic Houses Association. They talk about the work that needs doing on...

This final edition in this series of Country Calendar presented by John Noakes and dog Skip begins with John meeting ‘Champion of Champions’ angler Dick Clegg who is a member of the Barnsley Black fishing team. He explains to John and Michael Clegg what makes a champion fishing team. Next, Marylyn Webb speaks with George Howard who as well as being the owner of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire is also President of the Historic Houses Association. They talk about the work that needs doing on this property and other importance houses around the country. At Fairburn Ings bird reserve near Castleford, Warden Geoff Welsh is conducting a wild fowl count. He explains what is happening and what has been learned. In the final report from the Nidderdale Show at Pateley Bridge, Marylyn Webb speaks with Dennis Carter, President of the show about the work needed to organise such an event. Finally, back in the studio John speaks with Hannah Hauxwell about the success of her book ‘Hannah in Yorkshire’ and how she is preparing her Balderdale farm for winter. Title: Yorkshire Television – Colour Production Title: Country Calendar Title: John Noakes From the studio sofa John introduces this week’s programme and the final one of the series, sitting alongside is his dog Skip. John highlights items featured in the programme. In the studio Michael Clegg stands near a tank of fish, next to him Dick Clegg a champion of champions fisherman and a member of the Barnsley Blacks fishing team. Title: Dick Clegg – “Champion of Champions” From questions put by John, Dick Clegg outlines the attributes of a good fishing team, and how they go about competing. Michael identifies the fish that are in the studio tank, which include members of the carp family, roach, bream, and dace. John introduces an item which features George Howard at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire The film opens a view of Castle Howard, in the foreground an elaborate fountain. Reporter Marylyn Webb and George Howard, come out of the grand house through some French windows. She asks George about the problems of keeping an historic house. George says that each historic house has its own problems but with Castle Howard a large problem is the deteriorating stonework. George is speaking as president of the Historic Houses’ Association and commenting on problems facing all owners as well as Castle Howard. He also mentions economic inflation will mean repair work is now very expensive for all historic buildings. The film shows crumbling stonework near a window frame. Marylyn and George sit on a bench with a view of the house in the background. George talks about certain financial benefits for historic houses through the taxation system. Title: George Howard – Pres. Historic Houses Association When asked about why most historic houses continue to be privately owned, George outlines two main problems for state ownership. One reason is that the state would find them too expensive to run, the other is the public preference to visit houses which are still privately owned. General views follow of the house and some of the stonework in the grounds. Income from the house doesn’t pay for everything on a yearly basis, George hopes they will break even this year. Major repair work is being done on the mausoleum where 20 pillars are being rebuilt. George says that the country houses, the cathedrals and other historic buildings while expensive to run are part of the fabric which makes England a popular tourist attraction for those interested in the country’s past. In the studio John Noakes is joined on the sofa by naturalist Michael Clegg, who names some of the fish in the Castle Howard estates lakes and streams. John introduces an item on a wildfowl count which has been done at Fairburn Ings near Castleford. Warden Geoff Welch reports on what they’ve seen. Geoff, surrounded by wildfowl, outlines how the count is done. Title: Geoff Welch – Warden, Fairburn Ings Reserve General views on a very gloomy day follow of the location of the reserve which is not far from a power station, motorway, rail line and industrial waste heaps. Off screen Geoff describes the unlikely location of the 200-acre reserve as the film shows wetland and ponds, with deeper areas of water at the Eastern end of the reserve. A closer view follows of coots and mallard ducks exploring a shore line. Geoff says almost 60 Whooper swans visit the reserve in winter. A view follows of another swan on the water with a row of cygnets following on behind. General views show other swans and Canada geese. The film goes back to the studio where John Noakes with Michael Clegg, discuss counting wildfowl. The next item is a final visit to the Nidderdale show at Pateley Bridge. Marylyn Webb talks to the shows president Dennis Carter. A general view shows the picturesque setting of the showground. Off camera Denis Carter says the ground is not big enough and talks a little about the history and status of the show. A high angle view shows the horse-jumping arena and the car and lorry park for competitors and visitors. Title: Dennis Carter J.P. – President The president is asked about preparations for the next show. The film shows agricultural machinery and a local cricket match and more of the show jumping arena. The president is asked about the show being one of the largest for sheep. He lists some of the breeds on show. The film shows sheep in pens waiting for judging. Dennis Carter talks about the show and his association with it. He says in earlier years most people travelled to it by bus and rail, and he reckoned that attendance was higher despite the availability of cars presently. The film shows a fairground at the show, this is the new location for the fair which used to a location further in town. A view follows of horses and ponies being led around an arena. The film goes back to the studio and the final trip of the series to Hannah Hauxwell’s farm at Baldersdale. She sits and looks through some boxed items that have been posted as she talks about the kindness people have shown her. She opens one box which has tinned food inside. The film cuts back to the studio where Hannah sits next to John Noakes and his dog Skip. John congratulates Hannah on the publication of the 4th printing of her book ‘Hannah in Yorkshire’. In response to John’s question about being famous, she says it’s brought her a lot of pleasure since the first television programme was made. Title: Hannah Hauxwell She talks about the animals she has on her farm and the problems of overwinter feeding. She also talks about being cut off by snow and becoming isolated, but looks forward to May and spring weather. John thanks her for visiting the studio and he signs off the final programme of the series. The end sequence shows Hannah at home playing a harmonium and the Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’. Credits: Country Calendar presented by John Noakes with Marylyn Webb, Michael Clegg and Hannah Hauxwell Editorial Assistant Mark Meysey-Thompson Film Cameramen Mostafa Hammuri, Allan Pyrah Film Sound Chris Clarkson Dubbing Mixer Alan Bedward, Steve Hayes Film Editors Paul Bale Production Assistant Christine Sharman Designer Agnes Hall Director David St. David-Smith Producer John Wilford Yorkshire Television Colour Production. © Trident Television Ltd MCMLXXX