Radio Times

Review by:

Alison Graham

The opulent beauty of the New Forest is explored in another lyrical sound-and-pictures portrait of the British countryside. With a breathy commentary from Hermione Norris, it’s a glorious montage of the seasons.

Among those who make their living from the forest we meet a “storyteller”, a lady with a hair bun and a poncho who haunts the woods telling folk tales to children; and Dave, a practitioner of coppicing, the ancient art of harvesting wood from trees. Best of all we hear the autumn soundtrack of bellowing fallow deer and the snuffling of pigs as they are let into the forest to eat acorns.

About this programme

2/3. Exploring 12 months in the lives of people and wildlife inhabiting the New Forest National Park in Hampshire. Although only created in 2005, its woodlands are among the oldest in the country and have supported lifestyles dating back to medieval times. Residents including coppicer Dave Dibden show how their traditions have continued into the present day, and the film also features footage of some of Britain's rarest creatures, including sand lizards, Dartford warblers and fellow birds hobbies. Narrated by Hermione Norris.

Cast and crew

Cast

Narrator

Hermione Norris

Crew

Director

Andrew Murray

Executive Producer

Tim Martin

Writer

Andrew Murray

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