9 episodes
The Ways of Water The Ways of Water
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- Society & Culture
The Ways of Water is a podcast series exploring and celebrating our English waterways through themes of art, poetry, ecology, folk heritage, industrial history, music, wellbeing and the deep mysteries of water itself. It aims to shine a light on our personal relationship with waterways, from those who it inspires creatively to those who work with or on water, and not forgetting the community spirit and important work of those who are currently fighting to protect our waterways from pollution and misuse. Guests include poets Ian Macmillan and Will Burns, musicians Grasscut and Lorraine Bowen, singer Sam Lee, festival organiser Joanna Cherry, the people of Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, ‘the last bargee’ Alice Lapworth, head of research for QI John Mitchinson and nature writers Tristam Gooley and Chris Yates. It is presented by David Bramwell, with the occasional guest appearances from the inimitable John Shuttleworth and his neighbour Ken.
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Watching the Water with Chris Yates and John Shuttleworth
David spends the day with celebrated angler, author and squeaky-gate appreciator Chris Yates, to talk about our very natural connection with water. John and Ken make their final guest appearance!
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Poetry of the Water with Joanna Cherry and Will Burns
A day by the water with Faber poet Will Burns who walks the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal daily to nourish his sense of wellbeing, plus festival director Joanna Cherry with tales of life on her narrowboat.
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New Ecologies and the River Don with Ian Rotherham and John Shuttleworth
David heads to South Yorkshire to discover how a forest of figs came to be growing along the banks of the Don and to uncover one of the greatest river success-stories of recent times: the return of the salmon.
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After the Flood
After their lives were ravaged by floods in the winter of 2015, Hebden Bridge’s residents decided the only thing to do was postpone Christmas until June 25th. David dons his best Santa outfit and joins them for an alternative Christmas, and to uncover an incredible story about the power of community spirit.
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Words on Water with Ian MacMillan and John Shuttleworth
David meets up with poet and BBCRadio 3 presenter Ian Macmillan by the Calder and Hebble canal to talk poetry, waterways and Northerness and to hear Ian read a few poems of his own.
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How to Read Water with Tristran Gooley
David spends a sunny afternoon with nature writer Tristan Gooley, learning how to ‘read’ water – its eddies and currents, flora and fauna, colour, temperature and sound. More importantly, Tristan reveals how to always win at Pooh Sticks.