In today’s programme:
The Isle of Wight is about to launch its third nine-day Biosphere Festival, which will take place all over the island, and involve many local communities. The island is one of seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Martha Henson, one of the Festival organisers, explains why the Isle of Wight qualifies for this status – and talks about the Festival which launches on June 27th.
An ingenious robot called Raggy will be going through some field trials this summer in Dorset. Raggy the robot is the creation of Jake Shaw-Sutton and his colleagues at enterprising Cornish company Robotriks, and Raggy’s mission is life is to seek out and dig up on pastureland the attractive wild ragwort plants that can be deadly for horses and cattle.
And finally, Dr. Chris Doyle from the University of Galway tells the fascinating tale of laws established in early mediaeval times in Ireland governing bees, the keeping of bees and the behaviour of bees – which were highly valued, and classed as domestic livestock. Chris Doyle believes that Ireland is unique in having bee laws, which were created centuries ago.
Presented by Jenny Devitt.
Jenny Devitt