This Sunday, “Countryfile” journeys to North West Wales, a region steeped in history and now recognized for its unique slate landscape, recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Presenters Matt Baker and Joe Crowley take viewers on a tour of this dramatic terrain, exploring its past and its potential for a rural tourism revival, thanks to a significant grant.
Crowley heads to the imposing Dinorwig Quarry, once the second largest slate quarry in Wales, to uncover the stories of the men who toiled within its depths. It’s a look back at a dangerous industry and the lives it shaped. He’ll also meet the dedicated individuals working to preserve the Penrhyn Quarry Hospital, a vital resource for injured quarry workers in its heyday. Adding a touch of wildlife to the mix, Crowley participates in Wales’ first-ever raptor count.
Meanwhile, Baker connects with a family determined to keep the tradition of slate fencing alive, demonstrating the enduring link between the landscape and local crafts. He’ll also spend time observing the family’s semi-feral Welsh Carneddau ponies, a breed uniquely adapted to this rugged environment.
Back in Staffordshire, Adam Henson meets a dairy farmer who, after being diagnosed with ADHD, is working to raise awareness about neurodiversity in agriculture, highlighting the unseen challenges and unique strengths that individuals with different neurological profiles bring to the farming world.
“Countryfile” airs Sunday, 16 March at 5:15 PM on BBC One.
