In the original dustsheet. Navy cloth binding with silver title on the spine.

• F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

John Craven has been presenting Countryfile since its launch in 1989 and, for the first time, he has distilled all his knowledge and wisdom about country life into The Countryfile Handbook. This book is an invaluable resource for those who live in the countryside or want to know more about it. Divided into the different types of land (villages and market towns; fields and farming; upland; lowland; woodland; waterways; coastline) it offers practical information:

¤ How to tell the difference between the swallow, martin and swift

¤ How to learn the various sheepdog calls

¤ The do’s and don’t’s of foraging

¤ How lichen can help tell us how clean the air is informative essays on rural issues:

¤ Why hedgerows are important

¤ Saving British meadows

¤ Reintroducing beavers plus useful (and entertaining) facts and figures:

¤ Did you know an acre is the space need to park 200 cars

¤ 10 things to do with a stinging nettle

¤ What to do if you see a sheep on its back

Together with stories and anecdotes from the programme, this book really will become your Countryfile companion.

Reviews:

• A good introduction to the country for townsfolk wanting to learn about countryside matters. but having been brought up on the outskirts of a medium-sized town by parents who had good rural knowledge, and easy access to the country, I’m afraid I already knew a lot of this. I didn’t like the very long chapters, and felt that a lot of items were in the wrong chapters. And, Mr. Craven horses are not equines over 14 hands, but over 14.2hh (14 hands 2 inches), unless things have changed since I was closely involved with horses and ponies.

• It was one of the best countryside books. Good subject headings. Each treated in some depth. Most subjects are covered. The author looks at the long term outlook for the countryside and considers the strategy of each heading. It gives you all the facts and background of each heading. It does not attempt to give the method and operation of farming for budding or experienced farmers. That might be for the next book.

The Author, John Craven was born in Leeds and started his journalistic career as a junior reporter on the Harrogate Advertiser. After spells with the Yorkshire Post as well as national press, he joined the BBC in Newcastle working on regional radio and television programmes before launching from London in 1972 the world’s first television news bulletin for children, John Craven’s Newsround. Millions of adults watched as well and he became one of the best-known faces on British television. After more than 3,000 editions, John left in 1989 to present the hugely successful Countryfile where he has remained ever since, championing the countryside and investigating rural issues. He also writes a regular column for BBC Countryfile magazine. In the Millennium Honours, John was awarded an OBE for services to rural and children’s broadcasting and the Royal Television Society has inducted him into its Hall of Fame. He is vice-president of the Waterways Trust, patron of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad.

John Raymond Craven OBE FLS (born 16 August 1940) is an English journalist and television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC programmes Newsround, Countryfile and Beat the Brain.