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Private Notes
Actor and comedian Adrian Edmondson returns to his birthplace of Yorkshire to document another summer in the life of the Dales. In the first edition, he spends a day working on Ravenseat Farm with the Owen family, and meets Angela Baker, the original `Miss February' in the world-famous Women's Institute calendar, as local theatrical group the Grassington Players prepare for the premiere of their Calendar Girls stage play.
Adrian Edmondson meets goat farmer Stephen Akrigg, who has plans to expand his herd and business over the summer, before turning his hand to livestock auctioneering in Hawes, North Yorkshire, under the guidance of Maurice Scott. Meanwhile, theatrical group the Grassington Players stage the premiere of their Calendar Girls production
Adrian Edmondson marks the 100th anniversary of Reeth Show in Swaledale, where 11-year-old Raven Owen is taking part in her first horse-riding competition, and farmers John, George and Albert Allison hope to win their late father's memorial trophy in its inaugural year. Ade also auditions for a part in the Grassington Players' latest production and learns about the theatrical group's role in the community.
Adrian Edmondson visits Giggleswick School in Ribblesdale amid preparations for a 500th-anniversary concert featuring world-famous orchestra the Halle. He also finds out about a bus service that offers a lifeline to residents in Hawes, and goes climbing at Twistleton Scar near Ingleborough to see some of the best views in the Dales.
Adrian Edmondson visits Ripley Castle in Harrogate - home to Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby. He then embarks on an expedition to capture images of red squirrels with Dales photographer Simon Phillpotts, before returning to Ravenseat Farm where a shepherd gives some vital lessons to a young farmer.
Adrian Edmondson visits Sedbergh, Cumbria, to meet 16-year-old Sam Roper - the youngest competitor in the gruelling Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race - and travels to Gunnerside, Swaledale, where blacksmith Stephen Calvert shows how the skills of his trade have not changed for generations. Adrian also talks to musicians Allen Miller, Rod Hall, Sandy Still and Jim Jack of Fourum Folk as a collection of walking maps created by deceased bandmate Bob Hattersley goes on display at Richmond's Georgian Theatre.
Adrian Edmondson revisits the Wildman family's farm in Kirkby Malham for the opening of the charcuterie, and follows the Dales tradition of the Burning of the Bartle in West Witton, where an effigy of a sheep stealer is paraded through the streets and set alight. He also finds out about general manager Nigel Park's fundraising plans at the Wensleydale Railway.
Adrian Edmondson revisits the Owen family to find out how shepherd Amanda keeps her six children entertained during the summer at Ravenseat Farm. He also meets James and Gayle Robinson as they compete in an agricultural show in Wensleydale, and drops in on Fourum Folk's rehearsals for their 40th-anniversary concert.
This week The Dales is in Bishopdale and the village of West Burton, home to Clare Gardiner who has grand plans for a new business this Summer. Clare's partner Nigel is building her a shop on the side of their home so Clare can sell her weaving wares and also other handmade local Dales products. Will Nigel be able to build it in time and will Clare be able to source enough local products to fill her new shop?
Meanwhile Ade Edmondson is invited to a meeting of the Wensleydale Young Farmers in Leyburn where he joins them in a spot of judging and finds out about the role the Young Farmers clubs have played in the Dales since they began over 90 years ago.
And we see how the summer is progressing for Carleton based goat farmer Stephen Akrigg. Today he travels around the Dales to hotels and restaurants whom he hopes will take his new smoked cheese.
In this episode The Dales goes all aboard with the Wensleydale Railway as general manager Nigel Park and his team of volunteers put on a fundraising day hoping to raise money to re-instate some of the line's disused track. If successful they hope to open up the old line between Leeming Bar and Northallerton, which would connect the dales to the East Coast mainline which runs between London and Scotland.
Ade meets young vet Amy Swales who has given up city life to work in the Yorkshire Dales. Amy covers the Swaledale area and beyond and we follow her as she spends a day on her rounds and comes across some four legged patients in need.
Meanwhile the Wensleydale Young Farmers are given a lesson in the art of auctioneering from veteran livestock auctioneer Maurice Scott. Do this group of young Dales teenagers have what it takes to carry on this centuries old tradition in the area?
This week we travel across the Dales with midwife Chris Warren as she goes to meet a mum to be in Masham. Chris takes on the challenges of the Dales year upon year to reach patients despite some treacherous weather conditions and winding roads.
We also meet the Swale Valley Stompers - a veteran jazz band based on the North Eastern edge of the Dales. This summer drummer Mike has invited his granddaughter Charlotte to join the band for a concert at the Harrogate Flower show. It's the highlight of their summer season - will Charlotte be able to hit the right notes on the day and will Mike be able to keep his pride and emotions in check?
Meanwhile Ade Edmondson joins the army of volunteers on the Wensleydale Railway to find out about their dedication to the job. So, with a Summer of fund-raising behind them, has the Wensleydale Railway done enough to be able to realise their dream of opening up the disused line between Leeming Bar and Northlallerton, providing a gateway between the Dales and the East Coast mainline?
In this last episode of the current series of The Dales, Ade Edmondson goes to West Burton to meet new shop owner Clare Gardiner. Earlier this summer Clare travelled across the Dales looking for bespoke local crafts and goods to fill her new shop which partner Nigel built for her on the side of their home. So has the business been a success? And what will Clare make of the surprise 'gift' that Ade has in store for her? And we travel to Swinithwaite Hall in Wensleydale where owner Bridget Thornton-Berry is hosting the estate's first ever car rally - the Heather and Honey Run.
