
One Man and His Dog
Countryfile plays host to the One Man and His Dog sheepdog trials, and Matt Baker and Helen Skelton present all the action from Byland Abbey.
Countryfile plays host, for the second year running, to the One Man and His Dog sheepdog trials. Matt Baker and Helen Skelton present all the action from Byland Abbey as some of the finest handlers and their dogs from across the British Isles compete against each other.
Between the rounds, Helen explores the beauty of the surrounding hills and reveals how Byland Abbey and its monks were once at the heart of Britain's wool trade.
She also discovers how nearby Ampleforth Abbey is still going strong. Its monks still work the land, but today they sell cider rather than raise sheep to help support themselves.
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One Man and His Dog

For the second year running, Countryfile plays host to the legendary One Man and His Dog sheepdog trial competition.Ìý This year it's set in North Yorkshire, in the shadow of Byland Abbey a site once at the heart of Britain’s wool trade.
Matt Baker and Helen Skelton present all the action as teams from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland compete to take home the title.Ìý Helen also explores the beauty and history of the surrounding countryside.
Team England

Team Wales

Team Scotland

Old hand Michael Shearer and young talent Allan McKenzie are hoping to take the trophy home for Scotland.Ìý Michael farms near Thurso at the very tip of the Highlands.Ìý From his three working dogs he’s chosen three year old Jim to compete with.ÌýÌýMichael and JimÌýwon the Scottish National together last year and could be a formidable pairing.Ìý Completing team Scotland is 18 year old Alex McKenzie with his dog Coal.Ìý Coal was the runt of the litter, but has bounced back to become a formidable sheepdog.Ìý Can he also help team Scotland claim the One Man and His Dog title?
Team Ireland

Team Ireland are James McLaughlin and Caleb O’Keefe.Ìý Hill farmer James and his dog Ben have become local celebrities and have the town of Carndonagh cheering them on.Ìý It was watching One Man and His Dog as a child that sparked James’s interest in sheepdog trialling.Ìý He’ll be hoping that this year he’ll be lifting the trophy himself.Ìý The other half of team Ireland are 17 year old handler Caleb and his dog, five year oldÌýTess.Ìý Caleb won the Young Handler’s International last year.Ìý He’s had Tess since she was a 6 month old pup and says she’s a good all-rounder, but worries she’ll perform less well with flighty sheep.
Byland Abbey

Helen Skelton learns about the history of this former Cistercian monastery.Ìý She discovers how monks transformed its marshland into a profitable farming venture and how sheep made this not only a place of prayer, but of great power that would eventually lead to its downfall.
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Pink sheep

Helen discovers why a flock of 200 pink sheep are roaming the North York Moors.ÌýÌý She meets local artist Trish Hutchinson who teaches Helen the art of creating natural dyes from the plant life found in surrounding woodland, as Helen makes a pink fleece of her own to add to this colourful flock.
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Ampleforth Abbey

Helen travels a few miles from the site of the sheepdog trials to Ampleforth Abbey.Ìý Here she meets the modern day monks who are still working the land, but supporting themselves with the help of cider rather than sheep.
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Matt Baker |
Presenter | Helen Skelton |
Executive Producer | William Lyons |
Series Producer | Joanna Brame |
Broadcasts
- Sun 28 Sep 2014 17:30ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One Scotland HD & Scotland only
- Sun 28 Sep 2014 19:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One except Scotland & Scotland HD
- Sun 5 Oct 2014 05:50
- Mon 6 Oct 2014 02:20