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

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Nature that has had a profound impact on human culture and society across history.

Nature that has got under our skin and profoundly impacted human culture and society across our history.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Natural Histories: Grass

Grass

BBC Radio 4 - Natural Histories, Grass

Brett Westwood investigates our obsession with grass.

It has given us our oldest stories, made England a green and pleasant land, and once a week gives suburban man a purpose. Brett Westwood investigates our obsession with grass.

It's given us our oldest stories, made England a green and pleasant land, and has even helped shape our brains. Natural Histories investigates our obsession with grass, and Arcadian toil according to Victorian writer Richard Jefferies. Humans evolved in the grasslands and the major food crops (all grasses) have made us what we are. Thousands of years later it even gives suburban man an energy and a purpose through the summer. 

Brett Westwood leads us through nature rich hay-meadows, through cornfields,  across garden lawns and onto Wembley stadium in his quest to appreciate a neatly manicured piece of turf.  How grass has influenced humanity is explored via author Tim Dee, grass expert Howard Thomas, artists Ackroyd and Harvey, Oxford gardener Simon Bagnall, historian Oliver Cox and groundsman Karl Standley.

First broadcast in a longer form 18th July 2017
Original producer: Melvin Rickarby
Archive producer : Andrew Dawes

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

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