Inside Out Countryside Mobility

Recent years has seen a real focus on time spent in the garden and a key element for many is their lawn.

In this episode we meet Steff Dennis from HCT Turf who explains their work, shares top tips on lawn care and introduces the #ILoveMyDevonGarden photo competition which is helping to raise money for Countryside Mobility's work in providing access to the great outdoors.

Enter the competition during June https://wesellturf.com/photo/ You could win a luxury hamper of Devon food and drink and each entry raises £1 towards Countryside Mobility. 
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Autumn is the perfect time to explore forests and woods and in this episode of Inside Out we explore three beautiful examples.

Each is a recent addition to our network of hire locations offering an all terrain mobility scooter (Tramper) for hire opening access to these beautiful locations for visitors who may otherwise struggle.

Our first visit takes us to Coed y Brenin in North Wales. This stunning location in the south of Snowdonia provides the perfect alternative to the honeypots further north in the National Park. I speak to Graeme Stringer from Natural Resources Wales who introduces me to its long standing appeal.

Wyre Forest (operated by Forestry England) is another new partner but has such a significant historic importance that it also provides the name for the local council. I speak to Emily Brooks about her love for this Worcestershire forest. Between 25th and 31st October first time users of the Tramper hire can receive a free 2 week Tramper hire - pre booking is essential.

Our final visit is to Cardinham Woods in a secluded spot beneath Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.  I discover the difference between a wood and a forest and why its a great place to visit year round.

For more information on Countryside Mobility click here

We'd love to hear how you are connecting with the countryside and getting outdoors. Connect and share your experiences with us at:
Twitter: @CMSouthWest
Facebook: @Countryside Mobility



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Naomi Hunt gives Inside Out a tour of the Powderham Estate just outside of Exeter. With over 600 years of history, this attraction provides a rich experience of heritage but also seeks to move with the times, welcoming a wide range of events and looking to widen the audience.

One part of this wider welcome has been the introduction of an all terrain mobility scooter (Tramper) in partnership with Countryside Mobility which visitors can hire to explore the wider Estate including stunning views over the Exe Estuary from the Belvedere Tower.

Many thanks to the Exeter Chiefs Foundation for the support towards the cost of purchasing the Tramper. 

Find out more about Powderham Castle here

Find out more about Countryside Mobility and the Tramper hire at Powderham click here
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The UK's National Parks are designated as the country's leading landscapes but differ from National Parks in other countries in remaining largely in private ownership and having residents living within them.

This episode of Inside Out, from Countryside Mobility, explores the enduring appeal and challenges faced by these 'living landscapes'. We travel from one of the most visited, the Lake District, to one of the most undiscovered, Exmoor, also exploring how accesss for visitors is improving.

In a two part interview, Dan James from Exmoor National Park Authority shares the inspiration that the Park has brought to many, introduces us to bolving (you'll see Dan as 'The Classic' at 2:29), explains how he works to help a thriving economy in keeping with the landscape and introduces their latest walking initiative - Exmoor Explorer Walks. More information on Photo Trails here. 

Julia Walker from Lake District Mobility tells us her personal story of the inspiration behind the charity which is helping locals and visitors to access some of the National Park's most beautiful locations and the progress being made to improve access in Cumbria more generally. She also talks about how they are now helping another National Park, the North York Moors, to offer the same Tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter) hire service.

Finally, we travel to the edge of the Cotswolds to discover an initiative encouraging locals and visitors to Return to the Hill. Project Officer, Jenny Griffiths from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust introduces us to the iconic Robinswood Hill with its panoramic views across the city and countryside and the work she is doing to connect more people to its beauty. Keep in touch with the latest news and events via their Facebook Group. For more information on Tramper hire click here.  



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In this episode of Inside Out, brought to you by Countryside Mobility, we reflect on where our love for nature begins as we speak to an outdoor activity centre about their role in introducing youngsters to nature and an outdoors film maker with a passion for connecting children with the countryside.

The childhood theme continues as we visit National Trust Antony, recently used as a film location for Walt Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' as they look to become more accessible and we introduce you to a competition inviting people to share what they love most about their garden.

Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre: https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/
Save Outdoor Education: @saveoutdoored

Holly Brega (outdoor filmmaker): https://hollybrega.com/
Watch 'Explore the Woods' documentary: https://youtu.be/6YlVwObLYbQ
Through the Trees podcast: https://hollybrega.com/2021/01/17/through-the-trees-podcast/

National Trust Antony: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony
Hire an all terrain mobility scooter (Tramper): https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony/features/hire-a-mobility-scooter-to-see-more-of-antony

#ilovemygarden competition: https://wesellturf.com/ilovemygarden-competition/
The competition launches in June

We'd love to hear how you are connecting with the countryside and getting outdoors. Connect and share your experiences with us at:
Twitter: @CMSouthWest
Facebook: @Countryside Mobility
Support the show

Listen to the latest audio adventure for outdoor lovers brought to you by Countryside Mobility, an award winning initiative from the charity, Living Options.

Can listening to, and watching, nature in our homes benefit our wellbeing? Alex Smalley, from the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health at the University of Exeter has been investigating the potential through a collaboration with the BBC.

Take part in the latest research:  bbc.co.uk/soundscapesforwellbeing
Create your own soundscape: https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/

Why are increasing numbers taking to open water swimming? We hear from a Seamus Bennett shares his passion for swimming off the Suffolk coast and how to get started if you fancy taking a dip.

Outdoor Swimming magazine: http://www.outdoorswimmer.com
The Outdoor Swimming Society: https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/
Safer Seas Service app: https://www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/
Blue Flag beach locations: https://www.blueflag.global/all-bf-sites
Swimscapes (Felixstowe Open Water Swimming Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/FelixstoweSwimscapes

Durlston Country Park - England's leading accessible tourism location. Ali Tuckey gives us a taste of the year-round delights of this Dorset beauty spot and how they have worked to make its natural and historic attraction accessible.

Durlston Country Park: https://www.durlston.co.uk/
All terrain mobility scooters (Trampers): https://www.countrysidemobility.org/locations/durlston-country-park

We'd love to hear how you are connecting with the countryside and getting outdoors. Connect and share your experiences with us at:
Twitter: @CMSouthWest
Facebook: @Countryside Mobility
Support the show