Countryfile

Celebrations Compilation (26x52)

: 28, 2014

The Great British landscape gives us much to celebrate all year round. But as the bare bones of winter signal the end of yet another year - there's still one big celebration to go - New Years Eve. John Craven is on the South Downs gathering goodies to throw his own festive party, toasting the taste of the South Downs. He visits Plumpton Agricultural College - which has a sparkling reputation for English wine. He learns how fine fizz is made from the grapes grown on the chalky downland. What's good for the grapes is also fantastic for funghi - as John finds out when he snuffles for truffles in the surrounding woodland. Plumpton College also make the perfect accompaniment for their wine - cheese. John gets stuck into the 'cheddaring' process - seeing just how farmhouse cheddar gets its unique hard texture. We also welcome back some old friends to help us celebrate - as John takes us on a trip through the archives to revisit some of the rural revelries and seasonal celebrations we've taken part in over the years. Like when Clare Balding joined Matt at a festival in South Devon celebrating one of the area's finest residents, the humble crab. Ellie made some new friends when she welcomed in the Spring with the traditional Obby Oss festivities in Padstow. And Matt celebrates the fruits of the land at Harvest time on Tatton Park.