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Open Country

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Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of Britain

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

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Open Country: Herefordshire

Herefordshire

16/01/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, Herefordshire

How the landscape of Herefordshire has changed due to the arrival of migrant workers.

Richard Uridge muses on the idea that the strawberry has transformed both the physical and cultural landscape of Herefordshire.

Richard Uridge muses on the idea that one tiny fruit - the strawberry - has transformed both the physical and cultural landscape of Herefordshire, with the arrival of pickers from Eastern Europe and the building of polytunnels to grow the fruit all year round.  

He meets some of the young people from countries such as Lithuania and Poland who have taken the brave decision to settle in the county, sometimes moving on from fruit picking to start their own businesses, and discovers how new friendships are being made between local people and the migrant workers. On a very snowy hill in woodland overlooking the city of Hereford, he meets one woman who says her life has been enriched by the friendships she's made with some of the workers, and how she, in turn, can take credit for introducing the Hokey Cokey to some of the Baltic States.

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