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Ronald Blythe’s Suffolk

John Craven and Margherita Taylor travel to the village of Charsfield in the heart of Suffolk to celebrate one of our most respected rural writers, Ronald Blythe, who passed away this year at the age of 100. Charsfield and the area around it provided him with inspiration for his bestsellers, including his classic, Akenfield. John and Margherita embrace Blythe’s world by visiting key locations in his work, exploring old rural professions and meeting those who still embrace the way of life portrayed in his books.\n\nMargherita talks to nature writer Melissa Harrison, who moved to Suffolk, having been moved by Blythe’s works. She explains the importance of Blythe’s life and the magical rural world he created. Margherita heads up onto a thatch roof to see how this traditional craft is kept alive today by Nick Walker, one of only 20 master thatchers left in the UK.\n\nJohn meets blacksmith Paul Stoddart, and the pair create a Suffolk latch. John also meets Charlie Haylock, a proud Suffolk speaker, who explains how the dialect evolved and its subtle difference to the Norfolk accent.\n\nWe also explore how a pioneering project in Cornwall and a new generation of engineers could be vital in the UK’s drive for green energy. And Adam Henson catches up with young farmers Ioan and Emily to hear about the highs and lows of starting out in agriculture.

Source: BBC 1