BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

James and the Giant Tree House

James and the Giant Tree House: Episode 3

Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - James and the Giant Tree House, Episode 3

A dead tree causes problems as James Aldred tries to build a giant tree house.

Efforts to build a giant tree house in a rainforest in Gabon in Central West Africa are delayed by a dead tree, unreliable tools and a boat with no fuel.

3/5. Like many small boys James Aldred loved climbing trees. Today, he stills loves climbing trees, but as a professional, helping scientists and wildlife filming crews into the canopy to study and film the wildlife here. As well as climbing trees, he loves building tree houses. When he isn't climbing trees, he's dreaming about them and scribbling designs for tree houses on scraps of paper or the back of cereal boxes. So, when he received a phone call inviting him to build a tree house which would be large enough to accommodate at least 4 people for over a month whilst they filmed Red-capped Mangabey monkeys in the forests of Gabon in Central West Africa, he didn't hesitate in accepting the challenge. This is the story of what happened; a terrific Boy's Own Adventure high above the ground in the forest canopy! 

Having overcome lots of problems in the first weeks of work, including angry honey bees and a stampeding elephant - they are faced with a new one; a dead tree is leaning against their tree house tree, and the only way to remove is it to take down a live tree as well. As they are working in an area of conservation they have to seek consul and advice before they can proceed. More problems follow: their chainsaw and drill both prove temperamental, and then when their boat runs out of fuel and they try to get some more, they discover the fuel station has also run dry! 

Narrated by James Aldred 
Produced by Sarah Blunt.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Following James Aldred as he builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon

Following the fortunes of James Aldred as he builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon

Accessibility links

Programme Index

James and the Giant Tree House

Episode 3

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4