MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
I have been told that this is worth watching on BBC iPlayer from the Natural World series.
The Wild Places of Essex
- Thread starter MoodySabre
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tillergirl
Well-Known Member
It was ok. The presenter got on my nerves a bit and it rather flitted from place to place. But there was some nice photography.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Oh those wild places of Essex. I had assumed it was a programme about Romford.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
We felt very much like Tillergirl, only more so. Fantastic photography; really irksome, relentless presentation. Ended up turning the sound off. This meant we missed some of the wildlife noises and info, but otherwise it was getting unwatchable.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
I was being polite. My mother and my wife were getting annoyed with my complaining about him.
Vamoose
Well-Known Member
Wild Places of Essex
Agree the presenter was irritating. I cant explain why - He just was ! But fabulous photography..
But, what really got up my nose was, that he started off by focusing on the Industrial parts of urban Essex, and "wild" loutish behaviour in Basildon and Southend (which of course is not restricted to Essex), which created a very strong negative image of the county at the start of the programme. This was reinforced throughout the programme by shots of chimneys, motorways and industry.
The greater part of the programme was devoted to the Thames Corridor, and smaller sections were devoted to other parts of the county. In my view the balance was never restored, by stating clearly enough that the vast majority of Essex is a very rural & pleasant county, of which the Industrial part of the Thames Corridor is a very small part., re-inforcing many peoples negative view of Essex as a whole.
I also thought his knowledge of Essex boundries need updating as Rainham Marshes havnt been in Essex for years.
Agree the presenter was irritating. I cant explain why - He just was ! But fabulous photography..
But, what really got up my nose was, that he started off by focusing on the Industrial parts of urban Essex, and "wild" loutish behaviour in Basildon and Southend (which of course is not restricted to Essex), which created a very strong negative image of the county at the start of the programme. This was reinforced throughout the programme by shots of chimneys, motorways and industry.
The greater part of the programme was devoted to the Thames Corridor, and smaller sections were devoted to other parts of the county. In my view the balance was never restored, by stating clearly enough that the vast majority of Essex is a very rural & pleasant county, of which the Industrial part of the Thames Corridor is a very small part., re-inforcing many peoples negative view of Essex as a whole.
I also thought his knowledge of Essex boundries need updating as Rainham Marshes havnt been in Essex for years.
Auntie Helen
Well-Known Member
We enjoyed watching it very much. I've done some cycling in Rainham Marshes so recognised that area, also of course there are other familiar-looking sites from boaty angles.
Today the plan was to ride to Mundon to see those trees that are like skeletons. Unfortunately my bike had a technical problem which meant I had to be rescued by car so never actually got to Mundon. Still, I did enjoy the programme, particularly that very sweet water vole.
Today the plan was to ride to Mundon to see those trees that are like skeletons. Unfortunately my bike had a technical problem which meant I had to be rescued by car so never actually got to Mundon. Still, I did enjoy the programme, particularly that very sweet water vole.
Honey
Well-Known Member
Rainham Marshes - Essex?
I believe the boundary is "The common watercourse" which puts a small part of the marshes in Thurrock! But is Thurrock in Essex as it is now a unitary authority and has little administrative connection with Essex. What (Who) defines a county?
I have to say that I agree with most of the other comments but the commentary was very poor and inaccurate - Apparantly Rainham is now on the north shore of the "upper Thames".
I believe the boundary is "The common watercourse" which puts a small part of the marshes in Thurrock! But is Thurrock in Essex as it is now a unitary authority and has little administrative connection with Essex. What (Who) defines a county?
I have to say that I agree with most of the other comments but the commentary was very poor and inaccurate - Apparantly Rainham is now on the north shore of the "upper Thames".
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Worry not about the boundaries, for the wildlife has no care for them.
I didn't see the programme, wish I had, as I like to hurl things at the telly.
However, it is discussed in this morning's Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/...-No-laughing-matter-on-the-Essex-marshes.html
I didn't see the programme, wish I had, as I like to hurl things at the telly.
However, it is discussed in this morning's Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/...-No-laughing-matter-on-the-Essex-marshes.html
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of people missed the point. The programme was always going to be a writer's reflections on the nature of wilderness and not a wildlife programme, of which there are plenty enough. Writers are strange people, who regard themselves as being different to us ordinary mortals, and allowance has to be made for this fact. Having done so, I found that his philosophy, that wilderness can be found in the unlikeliest of places and at all scales, to be thought-provoking and potentially life-enhancing though, like some others, I didn't warm to him as a person.
In other words, I thought it was an excellent and original programme, and if it didn't show all my favourite places, was reasonably conscientious about telling us what we were seeing. I can understand why people expecting a "nature" programme would have been disappointed, but so many programmes of that kind are invitations to passive viewing, whereas this one made me feel I wanted to go out and see the world for myself.
In other words, I thought it was an excellent and original programme, and if it didn't show all my favourite places, was reasonably conscientious about telling us what we were seeing. I can understand why people expecting a "nature" programme would have been disappointed, but so many programmes of that kind are invitations to passive viewing, whereas this one made me feel I wanted to go out and see the world for myself.
I thought it was absolutely wonderful.Started off thinking that I would hate it because I hate to see Nature spoilt by man but the blokes charm & natural enthusiasm for the place got to me.Real character & wonderful photography 10/10.
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