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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Hedge Britannia

Book of the Week: Hedge Britannia: Episode 2

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Hedge Britannia

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Hedge Britannia, Episode 2

How the Neolithic art of coppicing is renewing itself in 21st-century competitions.

Our Neolithic ancestors figured out how to bend trees to their will. Coppicing is still a 21st-century skill. 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. 

Our Neolithic ancestors figured out how to bend trees to their will and developed the art of coppicing. A skill that is renewing itself in 21st century competitions.

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.

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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