Tag: Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/05/2016

Paul Merton’s Secret Stations (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th May 2016)

Paul Merton goes in search of the hidden history of Britain’s rail request stops. This concluding episode begins on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast. From the request stop of Penally, Paul visits the trenches built for training during World War I. At Luxulyan in Cornwall, Paul looks for the hidden remains of local china clay mines. In Greater Manchester, Paul visits Reddish South – a request stop famous for having only one train a week. And for his final stop of the series, Paul goes to Corrour on the glorious West Highland Line, with a stop that’s ten miles to the nearest public road.

Highlands (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 18th May 2016)

Summer- The Greatest Race. Ewan McGregor narrates this landmark series about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands. This edition charts summer, the most intense of all the seasons in the Highlands. Animals are in a great race to raise their young to independence before the nights close in and the storms of autumn arrive. Some, like otters and pine martens, are single mothers working ceaselessly for their young, while others, including golden eagles, work in pairs to look after the chicks. Most spectacular of all, young guillemots on Handa face a leap for life as they tumble to the sea from 400ft cliffs.

Paxman in Brussels: Who Really Rules Us? (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Thursday 19th May 2016)

As the EU referendum debate approaches its climax, Jeremy Paxman takes viewers on a journey to the heart of Europe, meeting the movers, shakers and anonymous faces who run the EU. His central question is simple – has the UK given the power to rule it to Europe, and if so, does it matter? Meeting crucial figures like Michael Gove and Nick Clegg, he hears arguments on both sides, whilst also trying to understand just how the incredibly complex organisation operates. On his journey he struggles through the Parlamentarium (an EU museum that tries to explain the place), tries on a replica of Margaret Thatcher’s famous EU jumper and samples the EU-regulated wares of the Portobello Road.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 20th May 2016)

John Sergeant tours around Britain’s canals. In this episode, he meanders along the Oxford Canal where he visits Tooley’s, the oldest working boatyard in Britain, gets to play his hero Inspector Morse, and bumps into a group of floating thespians.

George Clarke’s Amazing Houseboats (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Friday 20th May 2016)

George Clarke looks back across five series of Amazing Spaces and some of the amazing houseboats people have built for the Great British waterways. There’s a seaplane from World War Two transformed into a bachelor pad; a 1960s pleasure cruiser refurbished as a marital home; and a hand built custom designed writers retreat created in the shape of an egg. George also looks further afield to an amazing holiday apartment on a lake in Germany and a Danish waterside home kept afloat by polystyrene and water bottles.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 07/05/2016

Paul Merton's Secret Stations - 08-05-2016 - YouView appAttenborough at 90 (BBC 1/HD | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Sunday 8th May 2016)

In celebration of his ninetieth birthday, Sir David Attenborough shares extraordinary highlights of his life and career with broadcaster Kirsty Young, including the inspiring people he has met, the extraordinary journeys he has made and the remarkable animal encounters he has had across the globe. Joined by colleagues and friends, including Michael Palin and Chris Packham, Sir David shares some of the unforgettable moments from his unparalleled career, from capturing unique animal behaviour for the first time to the fast-paced advances in wildlife filming technology, as well as stories of the wonder and fragility of the natural world – stories that Sir David has spent his life exploring and championing.

Paul Merton’s Secret Stations (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th May 2016)

Paul Merton continues his journey around Britain’s railway request stops on the glorious West Highland Line and Beasdale, where the Special Operations Executive taught espionage in World War Two. Paul discovers a request stop just outside the centre of Bristol. And at Pontarddulais, Paul sees how a former mining town has reinvented itself as ‘the wedding village’ – with a high street full of bridal shops. Paul helps a young bride pick out her perfect dress, and has the chance to sing with the local male voice choir – the most successful choir in Wales.

The Tube: Going Underground (Channel 5/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 9th May 2016)

Documentary series following the work of the staff who keep London’s underground train service running smoothly. Engineer Anita hopes she has got her sums right as a new passenger tunnel nears completion, 192 new trains hit the tracks and legend of the line steps down.

How Scotland Works (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 10th May 2016)

Documentary series exploring life in 21st-century Scotland. In Scotland today, finding a home can be a challenge. The kinds of homes people want, and where they want them, are changing. More people are now working from home and tenements are being turned into workspaces. With land and houses in short supply, some people are turning to more radical solutions such as making their homes in houseboats or caravans to save money. Also, with people living longer lives there is the need to create homes for the elderly, which is sparking some innovative solutions. From a brand new town being developed in Aberdeenshire, to a houseboat on the canal, and even to a 200-year-old castle, this documentary tells the story of Scotland at home through a diverse range of characters and the homes they live in.

Highlands (BBC 1 Scotland/HD & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 11th May 2016)

Spring – Season of Extremes. Ewan McGregor narrates a series about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands. In this edition it is spring, the most unpredictable of all seasons in the Cairngorm mountains. Ospreys, red squirrels, dippers, capercaillies, roe deer and bottlenose dolphins struggle to find food and raise their young while coping with the extremes of wind and weather.

Gareth’s Invictus Choir (BBC 1/HD | 9:000pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th May 2016)

Choirmaster Gareth Malone is facing his toughest challenge to date. He has been asked to form a choir of wounded ex-service personnel to perform at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida. In this episode the choir have survived their first public performance. With just 4 weeks before they sing at the opening ceremony in Orlando, Gareth brings his choir to Somerset House in London and announces he wants them to write their own song for the performance. The songwriting process challenges the choir to dig deep into their experiences of injury or illness and the different stages of recovery they are each in. Gareth singing them the finished song is a key moment, as the choir hear the lyrics of their own stories. Once they are happy with the song, Gareth decides to show the lyrics to an industry friend. Following some unexpected news at a recording studio, the choir finally set off to the US for their big moment.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 13th May 2016)

John Sergeant travels along some of the most impressive canals in Britain. In this episode, John is aboard his narrowboat enjoying a trip along one of the oldest and prettiest canals in Britain – the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. On the way, he marvels at ingenious feats of 18th century engineering. He also tackles – with mixed results – the difficult art of glass-blowing, and discovers a secret underground cold war bunker.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 30/04/2016

Gareth's Invictus Choir - 05-05-2016 - YouView appPaul Merton’s Secret Stations (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st May 2016)

More than 150 of Britain’s railway stations are request stops. You have to put out your arm to get the train to stop at the platform. In this series, Paul Merton travels around the country by train, only getting off at request stops. Paul hops on and off at a variety of different request stops to tell the story of why they are there, and who uses them. Meeting railways experts and enthusiasts, he explores the history of the stations and learns more about life in and around the stops. Paul’s journey begins in the Highlands, travelling on the stunning Kyle Line to the request stop of Attadale, where he meets Joanna and Alec Macpherson, who’ve recently moved from Peckham to look after a vast 30,000-acre estate at the shore of Lochcarron. Paul’s next two request stops are on the Cumbrian Coast Line.

The Tube: Going Underground (Channel 5 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 2nd May 2016)

Documentary series following the work of the staff who keep London’s underground train service running smoothly. The Tube takes on more than a thousand new staff. But the newbies are joining a system that now faces a level of terror threat unknown in the past.
(Subtitles, Audio Described, Episode 7)

How Scotland Works (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 3rd May 2016)

Documentary series exploring life in 21st-century Scotland. Today, life in Scotland’s most remote communities is changing, with new jobs and industries evolving, and the population growing. Innovative types of tourism like wreck diving and eagle spotting are being developed. Land-ownership laws are changing to give communities more of a stake in their crofts, and traditional work such as forestry is being transformed by 21st-century technology. Better communications keep the smallest island communities connected to the outside world, allowing new kinds of businesses and even international charities to be based there. This documentary tells the story of Scotland’s wild places through a diverse cast of characters including a dive guide, flying tree doctors, a global charity based on Coll and the world-famous Mull Rally.

Gareth’s Invictus Choir (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 5th May 2016)

Choirmaster Gareth Malone is facing his toughest challenge to date. He has been asked to form a choir of wounded ex-servicemen and -women to perform at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida. This first episode sees Gareth arrive at Kensington Palace to meet with Prince Harry, the founder of the games. Gareth wants to find out more about the challenges he faces in trying to form this unique choir. Next step is to set off around the UK to put his choir of 12 together, but Gareth is not looking just for singers, he is looking for people with stories to tell of the battles and struggles they have faced since their medical discharge. Next, he takes them off for three days to teach them how to sing but discovers it’s he who has something to learn – how to work with such a fragile group. The choir is surprised with his choice of song, and it soon triggers off unexpected emotions. Finally, Gareth makes a shock announcement after just four weeks.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 6th May 2016)

John Sergeant enjoys some of the best canal journeys Britain has to offer. He takes in the delights of the Lancaster Canal, which runs along the coast through the ancient city of Lancaster. On the way, he gets to re-enact his favourite scene from Brief Encounter, marvel at the amazing Lune Aqueduct and learns to smoke kippers before tucking into one of the little beauties.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 16/04/2016

Flying Scotsman with Robson Green - 22-04-2016 - YouView appThe Canoe Boys: An Adventure Show Special (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Sunday 17th April 2016)

This month’s Adventure Show recreates one of the great pioneering journeys of Scottish canoeing. In 1934 two men set out in kayaks made from teak and canvas to paddle up the west coast of Scotland. Their exploits captivated the Scotland’s imagination and they became known as ‘The Canoe Boys’. To recreate this trip, former professional footballer Michael Stewart joins forces with experienced kayaker Brian Wilson. They tackle some of the country’s most notorious stretches of water in replica boats made especially for the trip. Much like the original Canoe Boys, Michael has virtually no experience of the sport.

Hidden Britain by Drone (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday 17th April 2016)

Presented by Sir Tony Robinson, in this episode the drones fly through a village erased from the maps, a supermarket without any customers, and a platform in the ocean that claims to be an independent nation. The flight starts in Scotland, where just a few miles from the Forth Bridge the largest aircraft carriers ever built for the Royal Navy are under construction. Security in the dockyard is tight, but with each carrier weighing 65,000 tonnes and the flight deck measuring 4.2 acres, it’s hard to keep them under wraps! Then the drones head to Nottinghamshire, to an unmarked building. Inside it looks like a supermarket, but there are no tills, no queues and the public are not allowed in. It’s not on any official list of stores and the only shoppers to be found are professionals working through the night to prepare online shopping orders. From here the drones fly to the Kent coast where a World War II shipwreck looms over the town of Sheerness – packed full of high explosives.

The Tube: Going Underground (Channel 5 | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Monday 18th April 2016)

Documentary series following the work of the staff who keep London’s underground train service running smoothly. Tube staff face their busiest and most unusual shift of the year – New Year’s Eve. Firework displays, urinating on the escalators, all-night vomit-mopping and a suspect package at Waterloo Bridge.

Europe: Them or Us (BBC 2/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 19th April 2016)

Nick Robinson explores the troubled history of the UK’s relationship with Europe. The second programme goes behind the closed doors of Whitehall and Brussels to hear from the decision makers about the twists and turns in Britain’s relationship with the EEC, now EU. The film examines the way the first European referendum was fought 40 years ago, and the changes in the European project since then. After the British people gave their consent in 1975, successive governments have battled to maintain that consent, leading eventually to the in-out referendum this June. The film has contributions from four British prime ministers – Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and David Cameron. Also taking part are Tony Benn, Nick Clegg, Jacques Delors, Iain Duncan Smith, Nigel Farage, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, William Hague, Roy Jenkins, Jack Straw and Norman Tebbit, and the main civil servants and diplomats involved on both sides of the English Channel.

Caravanner of the Year (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Wednesday 20th April 2016)

Six top caravanning enthusiasts are out to prove they have the skills to be named the Caravan Club’s first Caravanner of the Year. The quirky passions of these motorhomers, caravanners and camper vanners are laid bare over two tough days of competition. Droopy awnings are out and only spirit-level precision works for judge Grenville Chamberlain, while journalist Andy Harris champions a spirit of adventure and more than a little mischief starting with an awning assembly speed trial. Otherwise known as divorce-in-a-bag, this plays out with a variety of approaches to teamwork. But it is the challenging manoeuvres, where even a judge can come unstuck, that push everyone to their limits. Some flourish with humorous and heartfelt results, while others flounder. But with no time to regroup, it is straight onto a caravanning favourite for some competitive polishing and primping before Grenville, Andy and guest judge Lucy-Jayne Grout have to pick the three who have earned a place in the final.

Secret Britain (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Wednesday 20th April 2016)

Series exploring the hidden corners of the UK and revealing landscape secrets. Ellie Harrison, Chris Hollins and Denise Lewis explore Devon. On a journey from an abandoned island on the south coast to the county’s most hidden and remote surf spots in the north, Ellie Harrison follows in Drake’s footsteps, seeking out Devon’s best-kept secrets. Chris Hollins relives an ancient and long forgotten purification ritual on Dartmoor, and Denise Lewis uncovers the secret history of the county’s most reluctant visitors.

Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:10pm | Thursday 21st April 2016)

A unique celebration of the Queen’s ninety years as she reaches her landmark birthday in April. Film-maker John Bridcut has been granted special access to the complete collection of Her Majesty’s personal cine films, shot by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen herself, as well as by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Much of it has never been seen publicly before. Various members of the Royal Family are filmed watching this private footage and contributing their own personal insights and their memories of the woman they know both as a member of their own close family and as queen. Among those taking part are the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra, who has never before given an interview.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 22nd April 2016)

John Sergeant returns for a second series as he enjoys some of some of the best canal journeys Britain has to offer. This episode sees him travelling along the impressive Peak Forest Canal from Derbyshire to Tameside. Along the way, he is roped into making Refreshers at the Swizzles sweet factory, joins a team digging up the remains of one of the world’s largest mills and gets into a bit of argy-bargy with boxer Ricky Hatton.

Flying Scotsman with Robson Green (itv/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Friday 22nd April 2016)

Robson Green tells the remarkable story of the Flying Scotsman as he spends a year with the men rebuilding the most famous steam engine in the world. At the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, he meets historian Robert Gwynne who shows him a brilliant invention by the Scotsman’s designer Nigel Gresley which allowed the train to drive from London to Edinburgh without stopping – a world first at the time – and helped turn the Flying Scotsman into a global brand. Robson experiences a taste of the sauna-like heat pouring out of the train’s fire box and is shown how this device would have been operated by the crew. After a year in the workshop, the Flying Scotsman is ready for its first test run and Robson gets the opportunity to live a dream and ride on the footplate.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 04/04/2015

Great Canal Journeys - 05-04-2015  (YouView app)Caribbean with Simon Reeve (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 5th April 2015)

Simon begins his journey on the remote Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, a country on the brink of monumental change. It will soon be split in two by the world’s biggest construction project: a new transoceanic waterway set to rival the Panama Canal. Simon visits the Rama-Kriol people who face losing their ancestral homes and meets the city-dwellers who believe the canal will bring prosperity and wealth to the country. In Honduras, Simon dives the crystal waters of the world’s second-largest barrier reef and conducts an unusual underwater experiment. Back on shore, Simon discovers Hondurans living in the grip of some of the most violent criminal gangs in the world. San Pedro Sula, the country’s second city, has the world’s highest murder rate. Simon’s journey ends in the stunning Jamaica, where he discovers a country confronting its violent reputation head-on. Here, he spends time with young people who have rejected gang life, offering a model of hope for future generations.

Great Canal Journeys (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 5th April 2015)

The concluding episode of series two is set against the stunning backdrop of some of central Scotland’s most glorious countryside, as Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. The coast to coast adventure starts in Edinburgh and concludes in Glasgow, taking in Scotland’s highest aqueduct and longest canal tunnel, some monumental sculpture, history stretching all the way back to the Romans, and a Scottish love affair from long ago. The two canals feature some striking examples of 21st century engineering and illustrate the potential for the restoration of the nation’s waterways, ensuring their long-term future.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 6th April 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, he joins shepherdess Emma Gray and goes in search of the Cheviot wild goat, then visits Wallington Hall where he learns the stories behind its incredible Pre-Raphaelite artwork. He pays a call on the Charlton Family whose ancestors were the most feared clan of the border country in medieval times, and learns how they have turned their grand country hall into a family home. Robson ends the programme fishing for salmon with George Purvis, the last fisherman on the Tweed to still use the ancient method of net and coble boat.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 10th April 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. In the last of the series, John travels along the Grand Union – Britain’s longest canal – discovering fun characters and places en route and enjoying a delightful, if leisurely, trip from Brum to the very centre of London.

Have I Got News for You (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 9:30pm | Friday 10th April 2015)

The satirical news quiz returns. Regular team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by guest host Daniel Radcliffe.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/03/2015

The Truth About Fat (YouView app)Caribbean with Simon Reeve (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 29th March 2015)

The second leg of Simon Reeve’s journey around the Caribbean Sea starts on beautiful islands and takes him along the coast of South America. On the beautiful and wealthy island of Barbados, he meets the owner of a traditional chattel house who has turned down offers of millions of dollars from luxury property developers and dives the reef on a hunt for invading lionfish which are disrupting the delicate ecosystem. On the green volcanic slopes of St Vincent, Simon meets the marijuana growers hoping, like their prime minister, that the drug will soon be decriminalised. Venezuela is one of the most turbulent countries in the Caribbean and from a high-rise slum in Caracas to the lawless border lands, Simon tries to work out how a country so rich in oil has fallen so low. Ending his epic journey in Colombia, Simon gains rare access to the Kogi – an indigenous people who have maintained their traditional forest lifestyle in the face of an encroaching and damaging modern world.

Great Canal Journeys (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 29th March 2015)

Built nearly a century before the British canal system, the Canal du Midi in the south of France has been designated a world heritage site for both its historic importance and its beauty. Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore its most picturesque stretch, as is it gently meanders towards the Mediterranean. They visit Beziers; the Malpas Tunnel – the first navigable tunnel in the history of mankind; and taste the delights of cervelles d’agneau – lamb’s brain fritters – and brandy that’s almost 200 years old.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 30th March 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, he heads to a part of Northumberland where a team of conservationists are aiming to rescue one of Britain’s great architectural jewels – Seaton Delaval Hall. He tries his hand at the Rapper Sword Dance, a North-East tradition that was once popular with miners. Robson also heads to Kirkley Hall near Morpeth to learn about the battle taking place in the Northumberland countryside between the red and grey squirrels.

The Adventure Show (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 31st March 2015)

This month’s Adventure Show features the Pentland Skyline Hill Race, where runners face a course that is 16 miles long and with almost 2000 metres of ascent. Plus the man who chose to walk from Lands End to John o’ Groats in a straight line, and there is a trip into the Cairngorms with photographer and former speed skier Henry Iddon.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 31st March 2015)

Three young Brits desperate to sort out their finances and get their lives back on track sign up to work planting thousands of trees in the vast Canadian wilderness. Despite the bugs, bears and extremes of hot and cold, a top tree-planter will put a tree in the ground every four seconds, for hours on end. It’s back-breaking, repetitive work in appalling conditions, but can Kieran, Shannon and Danny make it through to payday or will this soul-destroying job send them crying back to the UK?

The Truth About Fat (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 2nd April 2015)

Fat has a reputation as public health enemy number one. But is it really the devil we think? Recent headlines suggest that we may have got it all wrong, and that fat may not be as bad as we’ve long believed. Dr Saleyha Ahsan cuts through the confusion and reveals the surprising science of fat. She discovers that eating fat isn’t the only culprit behind the nation’s ever-expanding waistline and investigates some startling new research that suggests some saturated fats might even be good for our health. A group of nine volunteers take Salehya’s Big Fat Challenge to investigate the strange things that happen to our body and mind if we stop eating fat entirely. And Saleyha discovers the fat hidden in sea water that could make the food of the future a lot healthier. This programme shows how we can be smarter about fat if we know which ones we should really be eating and how much is good for us.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 3rd April 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. John barges into Birmingham – a city with more canals than Venice and undoubtedly more decent pubs and good Balti restaurants too. Along the way, he also tries to buy a gun.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 14/03/2015

Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite  (YouView app)Great Canal Journeys (Channel 4/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 15th March 2015)

Timothy West and Prunella Scales return for a brand new series of the popular show. They begin their first canal journey of the second series in the romantic city of Oxford. It’s here that Tim and Pru began their courtship many years ago and where they went on their first ever canal trip together. They follow the gentle contours of the Oxford canal through the Cherwell Valley, where they meet author Philip Pullman and are joined by their son Samuel West. Tim and Pru follow in the footsteps of author Tom Rolt, whose vivid account of his journey down this canal in 1939 ignited a campaign that went on to save Britain’s canals from extinction. Tim enters the National Town Crier’s competition to extol the virtues of the Oxford Canal, and issue a warning to those who would seek to destroy it.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 16th March 2015)

He joins the community boat project at Amble that is aiming to revive the traditional wooden boat building skills that were once an integral part of the north east coast. Later, Robson joins the team in a boat race in Amble Harbour. He joins the Dodd family on Britain’s last horse-powered farm, then meets the die-hard steam enthusiasts who are bidding to re-build the now disused Alnwick to Alnmouth railway line.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 17th March 2015)

Three young Brits desperate to sort out their lives and their bank balances sign up for cattle ranching in the wilds of the Australian outback. But how will Daisy, Sian and Laurence cope with working 14-hour days in the searing Aussie sun, herding thousands of cattle over stations the size of Wales? Will they make it to payday or will the sweltering heat, swarms of flies and angry cows send them stampeding back to the UK?

Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite (Channel 5 | 10:00pm to 11:30pm | Wednesday 18th March 2015)

Special programme to mark the 30th anniversary of the popular Australian soap, presented by Stefan Dennis and Tim Phillips. Cast members past and present come together to relive memorable moments from the past three decades. Contributors include Anne Charleston, better known as Madge Bishop, Ryan Moloney, otherwise known as Toadie and Natalie Bassingthwaite, or Izzy Hoyland, among others.

The Truth About Sugar (BBC 1/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 19th March 2015)

Journalist Fiona Phillips is on a mission to find out the truth behind the recent headlines on sugar. She discovers why some people have more of a sweet tooth than others, which sugars can be enjoyed guilt-free, why there is so much sugar hidden in food that is thought to be purely savoury and what effect sugary drinks have on the appetite. Fiona also helps four Brits, whose sugar-heavy diets could be putting their health at risk, to change their ways. From coming up with low-sugar recipes to finding ways to beat the sweet cravings, they will see whether cutting back to the levels suggested by health authorities is really achievable and what the benefits actually are. As the dieters progress on their journey, it soon becomes clear that the transformations will be dramatic.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 20th March 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. Today, John barges from Bath towards London, where he proves useless at beer barrel making, but better at steam engine stoking. However, he proves to be quite a natural with Freddy the narrow boat horse.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 07/03/2015

Cucumber  - 12-03-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th March 2015)

Trixie and Sister Mary Cynthia team up to support a deaf mother-to-be, while a case of morning sickness proves more serious than initially suspected. Elsewhere, Fred’s daughter is less than delighted about his forthcoming wedding.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 8th March 2015)

James May is taken far outside his comfort zone as he straps into an insanely fast, highly tuned, 600-horsepower hatchback and is thrown into the lion’s den of World Rallycross racing. As well as trying to fend off a pack of top-flight professional drivers, May’s life is made harder by his support crew, the distinctly unsupportive Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. Also in this show, Clarkson is at the track in the latest Jaguar F-type R and a sensational, modernised E-type called the Eagle Low Drag GT, while Hammond is in Spain to test the brand new version of the legendary Mazda MX-5. Finally, Brit Pack acting star Nicholas Hoult tries his hand in the Reasonably Priced Car.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 9th March 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, Robson is on the trail of some of Northumberland’s greatest historical treasures. In the Farne Islands he goes diving, discovering some mysterious cannons and the wreck of a ship sunk by the German Luftwaffe in 1941. He learns about the fascinating Roman relics that have been unearthed here over the years. The Corbridge Hoard was discovered by students in the 1960s, and the Vindolanda Tablets are the oldest handwritten commentaries in Britain. Finally, on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne he hears about the Viking invasion and the legacy of the Norsemen.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 9th March 2015)

It is the day of the consultation – Waterloo Road’s final chance to stop the school merging with Havelock High. But with no headmaster to be seen and a mystery surrounding the council’s real plans for the school, it is up to the kids to take charge of saving Waterloo Road.

The Adventure Show (BBC 2 Scotland & BBC iPlayer only | 7:00pm to 8:00pm | Tuesday 10th March 2015)

The team are at Strathpuffer 24, one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The event takes place in the middle of winter, with 17 hours of darkness and testing conditions that push both competitors and their bikes to the limit. Also in the programme, Cameron McNeish leaves the Scottish winter behind for a weekend in the little-known Alentejo region of western Portugal.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 10th March 2015)

Series in which hard-up young Brits, desperate to sort out their finances and get their lives back on track, sign up for one of the world’s toughest jobs. This time it is high-rise window cleaning in Canada. Perched on a wooden plank and suspended from some of Toronto’s tallest skyscrapers, it is terrifying and dangerous work. Can Stephen, Dom and Darcie conquer their fears and make it to pay day, or will the dizzying heights send them reeling back to the UK?

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 12th March 2015)

Everyone gets caught up in Henry’s grand scheme, and life appears to be perfect. But only Freddie realises the truth. As events of the past catch up with them all, Henry reaches out to family, friends and lovers in order to survive, and yet he still has to face the greatest challenge of all.

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:35pm | Thursday 12th March 2015)

As the door closes for the last time on the Calico flats, Vanessa finds her world collapsing when Zara makes a shocking confession.

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 13th March 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. Today, John barges through the potteries, and manages to smash his fair share of ceramics. He gets frightened in a very ghostly tunnel, and ends up getting challenged to a blind beer tasting.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.

UK TV programmes to watch this week : 28/02/2015

World's Toughest Jobs  - 03-03-2015 (YouView app)Call the Midwife (BBC 1/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st March 2015)

The maternity home sees two school friends reunited and their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected way. Elsewhere, Barbara and Sister Mary Cynthia team up to implement a revolutionary technique on their bedsore patient before it is discovered that it is his steadfast wife who is the one most in need of care.

Top Gear (BBC 2/HD | 8:00pm to 9:00pm | Sunday 1st March 2015)

Motoring magazine. Richard Hammond is dropped into the remote, frozen wastes of Canada to test a watch with a built-in emergency beacon. Normally, activating the device would summon a vast international rescue crew. Hammond’s safety, however, is dependent on the actions of Jeremy Clarkson and James May – disorganised, disinterested and very many miles away. Eventually, the pair get their hands on two machines they believe are suitable for the job and set off on an epic adventure to find their colleague. Also in this show, Clarkson is on the track in the new 471-horsepower Lexus RC F coupe whilst star of The Fall and The X-Files Gillian Anderson tries her hand in the Reasonably Priced Car.

More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Monday 2nd March 2015)

Robson Green returns to his home county of Northumberland, uncovering more of the hidden gems of one of the most beautiful parts of England. In this episode, Robson travels by canoe along the county’s longest river, the Coquet, to uncover its rare wildlife and hidden history. He visits the Warkworth Hermitage, an ancient chapel accessible only by boat. Stopping off at Warkworth Castle, he heads on to Amble to find out about the incredible surfing seal, which surprised two surfers last summer by taking a ride on their boards. Finally, Robson heads across the bay by kayak to Coquet Island, an RSPB nature reserve that is home to Britain’s rarest nesting seabird, the roseate tern.

Waterloo Road (BBC 3/HD | 8:30pm to 9:30pm | Monday 2nd March 2015)

Vaughan is torn between campaigning to stop the merger and Justin’s exclusion. Things take an unexpected turn when Kenzie gets involved, while Lorna reveals a buried secret when someone from her past turns up. Sonya discovers something about Guy that sets her own lie onto a different course.

World’s Toughest Jobs (BBC 3/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Tuesday 3rd March 2015)

Series in which hard-up young Brits, desperate to sort out their finances and get their lives back on track, sign up for one of the world’s toughest jobs. Trawler fishing in the Arctic Circle is gruelling, back-breaking, smelly work, but the job comes with one major bonus – paydays. One fisherman on board earned £75,000 in just six months. But can Jess, Carl and Jamie make it to payday, or will gutting fish round the clock, in freezing conditions, for weeks on end send them screaming back to the UK?

Cucumber (Channel 4/HD | 9:00pm to 10:00pm | Thursday 5th March 2015)

When a manhunt goes wrong, Henry, Freddie and Dean are trapped together and some long-buried truths rise to the surface. With Marie arriving in town to take charge, and events at the flatshare reaching a climax, Henry’s running out of options – but he’s dangerous when cornered!

Banana (E4 | 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Thursday 5th March 2015)

After a hot, wild night, Aiden and Frank find themselves walking across Manchester. Can a one night stand become something more?

Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant (itv/HD | 8:00pm to 8:30pm | Friday 6th March 2015)

Series in which John Sergeant sets off on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes. Today, John barges across Scotland on the Caledonian Canal that stretches from coast to coast through stunning scenery, spectacular lochs and, much to his delight, the occasional whisky distillery!

The Graham Norton Show (BBC 1/HD | 10:35pm to 11:25pm | Friday 6th March 2015)

The award-winning host continues his anarchic talk show with a special edition – a week before Comic Relief night, a host of celebrities join Graham to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic fundraiser.

All TV guide information taken from DigiGuide — www.getdigiguide.tv/?p=1&r=15119.