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Book of the Week: Hedge Britannia

Book of the Week: Hedge Britannia: Episode 1

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Hedge Britannia

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Hedge Britannia, Episode 1

The checkerboard pattern of lowland Britain reveals a history of boundaries and enclosures

4 Extra Debut. Enthusiast Hugh Barker's account of how Britain's history has been mapped by a remarkable variety of hedges. Read by Tim Keys.

Written by Hugh Barker. Read by Tim Key.

Hugh Barker, a hedge enthusiast, has journeyed across Britain to explore its remarkable variety of hedgerows. 

The checkerboard pattern of lowland Britain as seen from the air reveals a history of boundaries and enclosures. The author's childhood weekends were spent contributing to this millennia old obsession for tidy borders by clipping the hedges of his parents suburban garden. 

Over the course of his travels he discovers how hedges are amongst our most ancient monuments, meets hedgelaying champions and topiary fanatics, and sees the lengths to which some people will go to annoy the neighbours. Along the way he tells how a connection between paradise and the garden hedge grew up, why the British Army planted a barrier hedge hundreds of miles long in India, and how the notorious enclosures during the Industrial Revolution turned the country upside-down. 


Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

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

Hugh Barker journeys across Britain exploring its remarkable variety of hedgerows

Hedge enthusiast Hugh Barker journeys across Britain exploring its remarkable variety of hedgerows

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