Look Stranger

Bill Houston is the kind of cyclist who would abhor the Tour de France race almost as much as he abhors the motor car - he prefers exploring back roads and goat tracks. When he came out of the army in 1946 he vowed that no one was going to order him about for 20 years. Twenty-five years later he is still living for the bicycle. That is, 25 years, 34 countries and 400,000 miles later. And he can say, with modesty, that he envies no man - and few would disbelieve him. (BBC Scotland)

The ingredients for magic brews in Durham aren't bat's blood and toad's warts but farm manure and Epsom salts. They seem to work nevertheless. The prize-winning leeks they nourish make southern leeks look like shallots. Those southerners who know about the North East leek contests regard them as just a joke. But there is more to them than that. For men like Brian Shave of Lyton Leek Club, leek growing is a tie with a traditional culture that is still firmly held on to despite social change. (from Bristol)

Dragons, princes, giants and wizards, elephants, piglets, butterflies and giraffes - they all live together in a converted warehouse in Cardiff and belong to someone who, because of her dedication to an ideal, has created a professional puppet theatre in her native Wales. The world of Jane Phillips is the world of the 'Caricature Theatre' and her story is the story of an obsession. BBC Wales

Foula, lying 20 stormy miles west of Shetland, is Britain's most remote inhabited island. In less than a century the population has dwindled from 200 to only 30-but those 30 hold out happily.

A man ploughs with a pair of horses, and farming is turned back 1,000 years. The farm horses have virtually left the land, but if they have been part of your life it's not quite so easy to send them away forever. And that's exactly how it is for East Anglian farmer Edward Sneath and his groom Charlie Cooke. (from Birmingham)

Norman Nicholson is a poet who has lived all his life in the house he was born in at Millom, a small iron town between the Lake District mountains and the sea. Now Millom's iron mines and blast furnaces are finished, but Norman Nicholson writes on about the area he never wants to leave. (from the North East)

Under the Forest of Dean there is coal, and certain men have the right to mine it. It is an ancient privilege, continued in spite of nationalisation. The mines are tiny - one man working underground by and for himself is common; ten is a large mine. (from Bristol)

This is the story of a young man, Peter Macaskill, who decided to restore its ancient past to an unexploited area of the Island of Skye. He rebuilt an ancient family house, the old whisky still and, finally, the old water mill which is now grinding corn after half a century of inactivity.

Farmer John Cox is lucky - his farm is just a tractor-drive from one of England's busiest country markets. For 12 hours on a Monday in October we follow his progress on the farm and at the market among the people who make the business of buying and selling one of the most colourful events of the week in Dorset. (from Bristol)

Stanley Wilson expected that if anything in Saffron Walden were named after him it would be the public lavatory. A lifelong rebel, he fought for political causes because he cared deeply about people. At 50 Stanley married Kitty Edwards. His opponents hoped he would mellow and named an Old Folks Home after him. But the real Wilson monument is their own home for children in care where they are bringing up the last of their unlimited family.

Stanley Wilson expected that if anything in Saffron Walden were named after him it would be the public lavatory. A lifelong rebel, he fought for political causes because he cared deeply about people. At 50 Stanley married Kitty Edwards. His opponents hoped he would mellow and named an Old Folks Home after him. But the real Wilson monument is their own home for children in care where they are bringing up the last of their unlimited family.

Not all craftsmen are old men. Adrian Hodgson is 33 and specialises in the removal and restoration of timber-framed houses. Whether he's carving an elaborate chair leg or restoring a half-timbered church, he has the same sensitive approach as craftsmen of another age. (from Manchester)

Not all craftsmen are old men. Adrian Hodgson is 33 and specialises in the removal and restoration of timber-framed houses. Whether he's carving an elaborate chair leg or restoring a half-timbered church, he has the same sensitive approach as craftsmen of another age. (from Manchester)

'You had to sleep with a thatcher's daughter.' In Ern Anstey's day a thatcher was born to the craft and trained in its mysteries by his father. Rodney Cruze chose thatching as a profitable business for a fit young man. The material and the methods are traditional, but the men who thatch today are a new breed.

'You had to sleep with a thatcher's daughter.' In Ern Anstey's day a thatcher was born to the craft and trained in its mysteries by his father. Rodney Cruze chose thatching as a profitable business for a fit young man. The material and the methods are traditional, but the men who thatch today are a new breed.

James Purvis is the oldest ships' pilot on the River Tyne. Son of a pilot, grandson of a pilot, he is proud of a piloting pedigree which began more than 300 years ago in the days when the Tyne was one of the most dangerous rivers on earth. Today the port is changing fast, but men who know the river as well as Jimmy does are still essential. (BBC North East)

James Purvis is the oldest ships' pilot on the River Tyne. Son of a pilot, grandson of a pilot, he is proud of a piloting pedigree which began more than 300 years ago in the days when the Tyne was one of the most dangerous rivers on earth. Today the port is changing fast, but men who know the river as well as Jimmy does are still essential. (BBC North East)

Ronnie Robson featured in Radio Times last week, is a rural postman whose daily round takes him to the Highside, a remote part of Yorkshire. He always wanted to be a postman - his father was one in the same area. Ronnie writes a weekly column in the Ripon Gazette about life on the Highside which most of his 'customers' read. Highsiders are used to a hard life. Ronnie is their link. He brings them post, news and, very often, a helping hand.

Ronnie Robson featured in Radio Times last week, is a rural postman whose daily round takes him to the Highside, a remote part of Yorkshire. He always wanted to be a postman - his father was one in the same area. Ronnie writes a weekly column in the Ripon Gazette about life on the Highside which most of his 'customers' read. Highsiders are used to a hard life. Ronnie is their link. He brings them post, news and, very often, a helping hand.

Jesse Chandler owes his living to the punters. Because of them, his family is still in business sewing saddles that sit on the backs of a fortune in horse-flesh. Neither he nor his son ride or back horses, but the only time a trainer ignored Jesse Chandler's advice, his horse ran off the course and lost the Grand National.

Jesse Chandler owes his living to the punters. Because of them, his family is still in business sewing saddles that sit on the backs of a fortune in horse-flesh. Neither he nor his son ride or back horses, but the only time a trainer ignored Jesse Chandler's advice, his horse ran off the course and lost the Grand National.

"I tolerate the tombstones because they let me keep the hounds." Since 1918 Harry Corr has been a reluctant monumental sculptor. For as long as he can remember he has been a passionate huntsman. In 1939 he formed his own pack, the Dungannon Harriers; and today, aged 73, he still walks many miles over the fields and hills of County Tyrone with them, hunting the fox. BBC Belfast

"I tolerate the tombstones because they let me keep the hounds." Since 1918 Harry Corr has been a reluctant monumental sculptor. For as long as he can remember he has been a passionate huntsman. In 1939 he formed his own pack, the Dungannon Harriers; and today, aged 73, he still walks many miles over the fields and hills of County Tyrone with them, hunting the fox. BBC Belfast

Glyn Hughes was born on a Manchester housing estate, but he was drawn 'by the magical world of the farms.' He became a small-holder and grew everything he needed on his land. But now he has become a poet, and most of his income is from readings in universities, schools or wherever he is invited.

Glyn Hughes was born on a Manchester housing estate, but he was drawn 'by the magical world of the farms.' He became a small-holder and grew everything he needed on his land. But now he has become a poet, and most of his income is from readings in universities, schools or wherever he is invited.

Phil Drabble abandoned a career in industry to establish a unique wildlife reserve at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Now he manages badgers, herons and other threatened species in an undisturbed sanctuary that he plans to be a prototype for the future.

Phil Drabble abandoned a career in industry to establish a unique wildlife reserve at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Now he manages badgers, herons and other threatened species in an undisturbed sanctuary that he plans to be a prototype for the future.

Phil Drabble abandoned a career in industry to establish a unique wildlife reserve at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Now he manages badgers, herons and other threatened species in an undisturbed sanctuary that he plans to be a prototype for the future.

Phil Drabble abandoned a career in industry to establish a unique wildlife reserve at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Now he manages badgers, herons and other threatened species in an undisturbed sanctuary that he plans to be a prototype for the future.

'He doesn't wave a Bible at them. He just offers a friendly face.' John Kao tells the story of his father, Rev Peter Kao, who is Chinese Chaplain at the Missions to Seamen. He and his wife Jenny provide a home from home in Ethel Road, E16, where students, nurses, and seamen can play Chinese billiards and Chinese chess, cook mountains of chop suey and imagine they are back home.

'He doesn't wave a Bible at them. He just offers a friendly face.' John Kao tells the story of his father, Rev Peter Kao, who is Chinese Chaplain at the Missions to Seamen. He and his wife Jenny provide a home from home in Ethel Road, E16, where students, nurses, and seamen can play Chinese billiards and Chinese chess, cook mountains of chop suey and imagine they are back home.

As an underweight 12-year-old, Buster McShane built a small gym in his home. Now, 30 years later, he owns one of the largest health clubs in Europe. Along the way he has been a shipyard apprentice, a British weightlifting record holder, an occasional cartoonist for the Daily Mirror, and an outstandingly successful athletics coach. (BBC Belfast)

As an underweight 12-year-old, Buster McShane built a small gym in his home. Now, 30 years later, he owns one of the largest health clubs in Europe. Along the way he has been a shipyard apprentice, a British weightlifting record holder, an occasional cartoonist for the Daily Mirror, and an outstandingly successful athletics coach. (BBC Belfast)

Harold Riley is an artist with an international reputation. He lives and works in his native Salford and his affection for the city and its people is strongly reflected in his work... The tiny corner shops, the cobbled streets and the old woman with the world in her eyes. Portraits commissioned by the famous pay him upwards of £1,500, but Salford's city life and its city people will always be his first love. (from Manchester)

Harold Riley is an artist with an international reputation. He lives and works in his native Salford and his affection for the city and its people is strongly reflected in his work... The tiny corner shops, the cobbled streets and the old woman with the world in her eyes. Portraits commissioned by the famous pay him upwards of £1,500, but Salford's city life and its city people will always be his first love. (from Manchester)

From January to March they practise, all 7,000 of them, to compete in the Hastings Musical Festival. Bill Dyer, its chairman, has seen the Festival grow and change since he persuaded the Fleet Street Choir to enter. Singing journalists have given way to dancing toddlers, to his great regret, but this year he hopes the tide has started to turn.

From January to March they practise, all 7,000 of them, to compete in the Hastings Musical Festival. Bill Dyer, its chairman, has seen the Festival grow and change since he persuaded the Fleet Street Choir to enter. Singing journalists have given way to dancing toddlers, to his great regret, but this year he hopes the tide has started to turn.

When a woman is left with three sons and 300 assorted animals to care for, the neighbours are bound to fear the worst. Margaret Jackson became, overnight, Managing Director of the Welsh Mountain Zoo, and since then her life has been dedicated to proving the prophets wrong by keeping her charges alive and thriving in their ark on a Welsh Ararat high above Colwyn Bay. BBC Wales

When a woman is left with three sons and 300 assorted animals to care for, the neighbours are bound to fear the worst. Margaret Jackson became, overnight, Managing Director of the Welsh Mountain Zoo, and since then her life has been dedicated to proving the prophets wrong by keeping her charges alive and thriving in their ark on a Welsh Ararat high above Colwyn Bay. BBC Wales

'We've only got to live so long and we might as well make best on it while we're here. Yer a good while dead. So they tell me. I never heard nobody come back.' Wilf Lancaster has been a miller for 50 years. He and his family run a water mill in Cheshire for them it is a power house and a unique way of life.

'We've only got to live so long and we might as well make best on it while we're here. Yer a good while dead. So they tell me. I never heard nobody come back.' Wilf Lancaster has been a miller for 50 years. He and his family run a water mill in Cheshire for them it is a power house and a unique way of life.

Dave Dawson and Pete Thompson are Somerset steeplejacks. For them, Truro Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor are jobs. A cathedral spire doesn't seem quite so elegant when worked on from two feet away and the world doesn't look quite the same when seen from 250 feet up above. (from Bristol)

Dave Dawson and Pete Thompson are Somerset steeplejacks. For them, Truro Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor are jobs. A cathedral spire doesn't seem quite so elegant when worked on from two feet away and the world doesn't look quite the same when seen from 250 feet up above. (from Bristol)