The Plodcast
294. Take a walk on the Pennine Way with folk singer Johnny Campbell
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Britain's most famous long-distance footpath, Plodcast host Fergus met folk singer Johnny Campbell to walk part of the route. Johnny is spending 19 days walking the entire route from Derbyshire to the Borders of Scotland – gigging almost every evening. His powerful songs are rooted in the landscape and the struggles of ordinary people to gain access to nature and fresh air. Listen on for a live rendition of one of Johnny's most famous songs. You'll also hear the voice of Johnny's friend and walking companion 'sherpa' Freddie. You can find out more about Johnny on his website www.johnnycampbell.co.uk and you can find his songs on all the major streaming services. And now you can get in touch via: The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast group on Facebook & BBC Countryfile Magazine's Instagram page. UK Plodcast listeners can take advantage of a special subscription to BBC Countryfile Magazine where you can receive you first 3 issues for just £6. Head to www.ourmediashop.com/plodcast25 The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15 4月 2025 - 48 min 02 s
Sound Escape 216. Winter fieldfares mix with spring skylarks and starling as winter yields to spring
We're on the cusp of spring but winter clings on in rasping voices of ravens. As you walk in the cold sunlight of early March across a field to a stand of trees, starling song cascades, while skylarks erupt sporadically, dreaming of warmer days. But you also catch the chack-chack-chack of fieldfares, winter visitors escaping the deep cold of their Scandinavian homeland. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Image from Getty Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11 4月 2025 - 13 min 25 s
293. A quest for spring birdsong in a Welsh woodland - plus a reading by author Kerri Andrews
This week, join Plodcast host Fergus Collins as he explores a local woodland for the first time in search of a legendary woodpecker – with gorgeous birdsong along the way. Plus, author Kerri Andrews reads from her powerful new book: Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom, published by Elliott and Thompson And after all that, join the Plodcast team in the studio for a round up of listener messages and nature chat. And now you can get in touch via: The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast group on Facebook & BBC Countryfile Magazine's Instagram page. UK Plodcast listeners can take advantage of a special subscription to BBC Countryfile Magazine where you can receive you first 3 issues for just £6. Head to www.ourmediashop.com/plodcast25 The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
8 4月 2025 - 51 min 30 s
Sound Escape 215. Listen to spring birdsong along a country lane
A muddy farm track separates willow woodland from a wide expanse of marshland. You pause to listen to linnets commuting from wood to water meadow while a chaffinch chortles a joyful tune, laughing at the sunshine. Meanwhile, the first chiffchaff of the year belts out his two-note song. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 4月 2025 - 12 min 09 s
292. Talking big farming issues in a walk through a forgotten landscape in Leicestershire
This week we're in Leicestershire exploring the beautiful Welland Valley with countryside writer and farming expert Tim Relf. Plodcast host Fergus walks through this stunning, overlooked landscape with Tim and they discuss farming issues such as the controversial proposed changes to inheritance tax and the Sustainable Farming Incentive. To learn more about the Neville family, as mentioned by Tim, listen to The Plodcast Ep. 277 with Annie Garthwaite. UK Plodcast listeners can take adventage of a special subscription to BBC Countryfile Magazine where you can receive you first 3 issues for just £6. Head to www.ourmediashop.com/plodcast25 The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 4月 2025 - 50 min 14 s
Sound Escape 214. Stand on an ancient bridge and listen to a clear stream flowing beneath
You've discovered a forgotten valley in the Blackdown Hills. After descending an ancient holloway, you arrive at a bridge over a chuckling stream. Wild daffodils are flowering along the path and emerald strands of water crowfoot sway in the clear, pure water below. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
28 3月 2025 - 11 min 30 s
291. Explore a rewilding project in Lincolnshire with artist Hannah Dale
Head to Lincolnshire in the east of England to explore an exciting new rewilding project. Hannah Dale is an artist and farmer who struggled to make a living from her 300 acres – so has decided to return the land to nature. Hannah has written about her experience in a new book: A Wilding Year (published by Batsford). Plodcast host Fergus visited to meet Hannah and some very special wild guests out on the farm. For more about Hannah Dale's art, visit www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk Afterwards, join the Plodcast team in the studio for a roundup of listener messages and questions. The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25 3月 2025 - 01 h 03 min 03 s
Sound Escape 213. The atmosphere of the Giant's Grave, an ancient burial mound in Wiltshire
On a long, lonely walk across the windswept open lands of the Marlborough Downs, you come across a large, oval barrow partially hidden in a stand of trees. It is the Giant's Grave, a Bronze Age burial mound whose secrets are long forgotten. A ghostly breeze disturbs the spinney, a solitary crow calls, but the barrow broods in silence. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21 3月 2025 - 12 min 13 s
290. How being in the moment in nature can bring lasting happiness
Do we spend too much time thinking and not enough time simply being? Life coach Dr Giles Croft reveals how being out in nature and learning to not take our thoughts too seriously can lead to deeper contentment and happiness. Plodcast host Fergus met Giles on the Monmouth-Brecon canal South Wales to explore why we overthink our lives... Find out more at www.gilespcroft.com The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 3月 2025 - 50 min 19 s
Sound Escape 212. A burst of early spring birdsong on a rare sunny day
After many days of wet, grey gloom, a hopeful sunny day hints at spring – and draws out the birds in a public garden deep in the Welsh borders. Great tits, nuthatches, goldcrests, robins and treecreepers are among the singers here – with a male chaffinch trying out his new songs, too. On the ground, drooping snowdrops are already giving way to brave crocuses, BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 3月 2025 - 09 min 40 s