Living in the Chilterns is special

BBC Radio 4's Open Country programme visited Buckinghamshire on Friday 22 August to discover what makes living in the Chilterns special. The presenter Elinor Goodman, a journalist specialising in rural and political issues, was particularly interested in the part played by volunteers from the Chiltern Society to safeguard the Chilterns’ countryside and way of life. Recordings were made at the River Misbourne talking to representatives of the Chiltern Society Rivers & Wetlands Group, then at Bottom Wood to find out about woodland conservation where several red kites appeared on cue. The programme considered the housing market and affordability with John Taylor, Chiltern Society Chairman, and a local estate agent. The crew then took a walk on the Chiltern Way learning about the work done by the Chiltern Society monitoring and helping maintain the 2,300 miles of Chiltern’s footpaths, and about the successful Donate a Gate project which replaces stiles for ease of access to the countryside. The programme finished with a look at the future for farming in the Chilterns.Listen to the Radio 4 Open Country programme early on Saturday 13 September from 6.10 - 6.40am, or again on Thursday 18 September from 1.30 - 2pm or alternatively via the BBC website.