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East Malling to Rye
In Folkestone, Michael Portillo hears how the town coped with an influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Belgium fleeing the German invasion in 1914.
Steered by his Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo is on the last leg of his journey from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex. In the orchards of East Malling, Kent, Michael discovers that the Edwardians’ serious attitude towards cultivation bore fruit. Rootstock developed at the NIAB Centre for Fruit Research, established in 1913, is today responsible for much of world apple production.
In Folkestone, Michael hears how the town coped with an influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Belgium fleeing the German invasion in 1914.
In the High Weald, Michael heads for Tenterden Town and the light railway which opened in 1900. The Kent and East Sussex heritage line has been restored by an army of volunteers. Michael lends a hand in the restoration shed and is rewarded with a wonderful trip aboard Edwardian carriages powered by a locomotive nicknamed “Terrier” to Bodiam.
Michael’s last stop is the splendid medieval Cinque Port of Rye, where he tucks into a local speciality, scallops, and tours the beautiful home and garden of one of his favourite authors - the illustrious American Henry James.
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The Kent and East Sussex Railway
Duration: 02:33
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:02
Three Drives
Deep Sea
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Michael Portillo |
Series Editor | Alison Kreps |
Director | Cassie Farrell |
Broadcasts
- Fri 22 Feb 2019 18:30
- Tue 13 Aug 2019 08:00
- Fri 13 Mar 2020 18:30
- Mon 1 Nov 2021 19:00
- Tue 2 Nov 2021 01:00
- Mon 6 Feb 2023 19:00
- Tue 7 Feb 2023 01:55
- Fri 15 Sep 2023 15:30
- Wed 26 Jun 2024 19:00
- Thu 27 Jun 2024 01:15
Steam railway programmes on ±«Óătv iPlayer
A collection of programmes from the ±«Óătv archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.