You can see it on BBC's iPlayer at the moment - goes off in a few days though - see:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv
- might not be a direct link but should get you near to it and you might have to search for the episode.
I think it's particularly biased - in their tone and contents. Here's a run down if you miss it on iPlayer!
The female presenter introduces it by saying "MOST OF US ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR IT'S PEACEFULNESS BUT EVERY WEEKEND HUNDREDS OF OFF ROADERS HEAD OUT FOR A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE" ie: to ruin everyone elses peace! She goes on to say that the majority of us behave responsibly but there are a growing breed prepared to break the law, but she's already told the world that we ruin the peace in the countryside - well forgive me lady but my Jimny is as quiet as a swiss watch and runs as smooth too!
Then we do get to see some 4x4's on a Lane - except they're the "ROGUE ELEMENT" and they are "CARVING UP THE COUNTRYSIDE" - a Police helicopter's footage shows them "TRESPASSING ACROSS THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE". They are "COUNTRYSIDE VANDALS".
Johnny boy goes on to speak to a Policeman! He confirms what the Policeman says by summing his comments up - "SO ALTHOUGH THEY'RE ALLOWED TO BE THERE WITH THEIR (pause to think of the right word Johnny boy - mustn't be biased now!) VEHICLES, THEY'RE NOT BEHAVING PROPERLY WITH THEM".
He then goes on to say "WELL THAT KIND OF THING MUST BE VERY THREATENING TO PEOPLE!". - Well not half as threatening as the language that came from a lady - sorry wrong word as she wasn't a lady - female horse rider when we were stopped on a lane once and she "CHURNED UP A FARMERS FIELD" as she gallopped past! We were stopped for her too!
He then speaks to someone from the Council about Houndkirk Moor and how much money has been spent to repair it and that the work was done by several groups-I bet a 4x4 owners group such as GLASS or TREADLIGHTLY was one of them groups but they're not mentioned!
Then a chap from the Trail Riders Fellowship has to defend bikes - we don't get a chance to speak then John? Just the lads "CHURNING UP A FARMERS FIELD" eh?
He does a good job too - he challenges Johnny Boy's biased language - objecting to the term "RACING" along the Lanes and when faced with a walker he states they are happy to share the lanes with walkers but if they don't feel the same there are plenty of other lanes for them to use - well said!
The walker doesn't even aknowledge this point though and goes on about a number of bikes not having tax or insurance!
Our man in the TRF responded well by saying it's a matter for the Law Enforcement Agencies but says "THERE'S A FEW PEOPLE USING LANES ILLEGALLY SO LETS CLOSE ALL THE LANES - HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE? HOW IS THAT DEMOCRATIC?"
Walker man again ignores the point and boomerangs it back with a silly question.
Then Johnny Boy wraps it all up stating "IT'S AN ARGUMENT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO RAGE ON BETWEEN THOSE WHO WANT TO ENJOY THE PEACEFULNESS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THOSE WHO WANT TO TEST THEIR MACHINES AGAINST THE ELEMENTS". That's not what we do John! - have you done any research or been out with a Glass Member?
I waited for the shots of an old Range Rover wallowing slowly down a lane at walking pace, it's soft coil springs making it look elegant and set to classical music that fits it's pace - but alas, all we got was a 90 spinning it up and some Vits at full tilt across the field to the sound of some trance like music.
Bearing in mind the majority of people who watch Countryfile are older, they are only likely to view Green Laners as yobs now - they don't see me gently winding down a lane with my Buddy Holly CD playing quietly in the Jimny do they!
Now I wonder if a walker was to read my write up of it, would they think I've only picked out the bits that I want to? Well I've picked out the bits that Johnny Boy wanted you to hear - because it's a biased report!!!
Now I'm going to have my dinner and calm down a bit!
Kirkynut
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