For over 20 years Out of Town was a television program that provided a window on country life in rural Britain. Fishermen and farriers, horsemen and horticulturalists were prominently featured as presenter Jack Hargreaves took the Southern Television cameras around the country to explore pursuits and activities in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s many of which have long since disappeared. When Out Of Town was first broadcast by ITV, these programs soon won a large following for the entertaining and informative way that they gave a gentle insight into country life, but as time has passed since the last transmission in 1981 they have become a nostalgic historical record of life in Britain from a bygone age.
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Brick Making / Stonehenge
Long Distance Ride Jack is on hand to witness this test of endurance for horse and rider.
Charcoal Burners / Pigeon Shooting. Jack takes a close look at charcoal making the traditional way. Jack sets off on a pigeon shoot only to discover one of the largest flocks of wood pigeons he has ever seen.
Cod Fishing / Centenarian Angler. The cold seas of winter have brought cod to the seas off the south coast of England. Jack investigates by joining the crew of the Bulldog from Ramsgate. Jack joins a 100 year old man who achieves a dream when he embarks on a successful fly fishing expedition.
Big Skate / Pannage. Jack visits members of an angling club in the Shetlands in search of skate. Jack is in the New Forest for the pannage season when pigs are turned out for fattening before slaughter and salting for the winter.
Trammel Nets / The Coach Builder. Jack explores the pros and cons of using multi layered trammel nets. Jack is in Kent where coach building – and the skill of wooden carriage wheel manufacturing – is investigated.
Freeze Branding / Cider Making. Jack Hargreaves takes a look at how frozen carbon dioxide gas (dry ice) was introduced to brand horses. Jack goes to see the primitive, yet potent, process of cider making using a back garden press.
Housebuilding / Trout & Grayling. Jack takes a look at the materials and methods used in house building in previous generations. Jack is in his element with rod in hand fishing from the riverbank.
Hacienda / Bullfight. Jack is in southern Spain to look at the training and work of horses from the region. More adventures in southern Spain with Jack Hargreaves.
Stour River. In this episode of Out Of Town Jack profiles the Dorset river in all seasons, and during a serious flood.
British Finches / Yerro's Operation. British finches are shown in abundance in this film which looks at the breeding of birds and the bird men who specialize in them. Jack hires a veterinary team to deal with his noisy donkey, Yerro. After a tricky operation, expertly carried out, Yerro is back on his feet and Jack is happy with his donkey.
The Shooting Master. Jack visits a training range to meet The Shooting Master and experience his remarkable skills.
The Hidden Stream / Deer Shoot. Jack fights through the undergrowth to fish from a hidden stream, with a water rat for company. A film from a bygone era as a shoot is conducted to cull deer.
Fly-Casting / The Log Splitter. Jack’s love of fly casting is clearly evident in this film. This film explores how a tractor powered attachment was used to split logs.
Tidal Mill / Ice Fishing. A look at a working tidal mill in Eling, near Southampton, in Hampshire. Fishing in freezing conditions is captured by Jack’s cameras in this film.
Bee Skips / Pheasant Shooting. A film showing how an elderly craftsman made bee-skips from brambles. The country pastime of pheasant shooting is the central theme of this film.
Rake Maker / Stagecoach. Old country skills are on show in this film which depicts the proper use of the draw knife. A foot operated vice and other old tools made by an old craftsman are also featured. An American cowboy buys pinto horses in the New Forest in Hampshire and Jack is on hand to see them in harness with a western stagecoach.
Mole Catcher / High School Rider. This film captures the exploits of an expert mole catcher as he sets about his business in a pasture. In this film, Jack examines the once noble art of Haute Ecole which produces the modern era dressage horse as Mrs. Mac puts Sorrel through his paces.
Lambing / Mayfly. The lambing season is captured during a long day on high ground near Sturminster Newton in Dorset. This film shows Jack angling during a mayfly hatch and the short life cycle of the mayfly.
Romney Marsh / Pumpkins. Jack makes a visit to Romney Marsh in Kent to fish and attempt to photograph a flying frog. Jack explores a kitchen garden abundant with vegetables as a village prepares for the great pumpkin day competition.
Iron Ponds / Lobster Breeding. Jack visits the countryside around Tenterden in Kent where some ponds are located which were formed when old iron mine workings subsided. Jack is on the north coast of Kent visiting a research station. The programme takes a look at how a lobster breeds and sheds a tight shell for a new one.
Market Day / Minnow Trap / Lobster Boat. This film tells the story of a country market in Ringwood in Hampshire as Jack surveys the livestock and is tempted by the fresh farm produce on offer. Jack uses a minnow trap to identify the species of fish leaping from a weir. Jack is on board a lobster boat as it sets out to drop 40 baited pots into the ocean.
Farm Sale / Fishing in a Gale / Forest Fire. Jack attends the sale of a farm which has been owned by the same family for generations. Jack avoids a tea party by going fishing in windy conditions with the tree tops stirring. It’s 1976 and Jack surveys the damage of the summer drought and the legacy of gorse and forest fires.
Sweetheart Story / Tyring a Cart. Jack visits a country house on the Berkshire downs and explores the secrets it contains. Jack needs to refurbish the wheels of a cart and visits some craftsman for them to display their expert skills.
Sheep Shearing / Sea Bream. Sheep Shearing & Sea Bream Jack visits the high downs of Dorset in May to see an international sheep shearing gang at work. Jack takes to the sea with in-shore fishermen to fish for black bream.
Kingfishers / Model Carts. Jack presents the fascinating story of a man who rescued a brood of baby kingfishers, teaching them to fish for themselves. Jack examines a collection of scale model carts.
New Forest Point-to-Point / Apple Grafting. Jack attends a Boxing Day point-to-point meeting in the New Forest. Jack goes to West Sussex College of Agriculture & Horticulture to watch students being instructed in apple grafting..
Appleby Fair / Ramming Time. Jack Hargreaves visits the Romany horse fair at Appleby & visits Sturminster Newton in Dorset at ramming time.
For over 20 years Out of Town was a television program that provided a window on country life in rural Britain. Fishermen and farriers, horsemen and horticulturalists were prominently featured as presenter Jack Hargreaves took the Southern Television cameras around the country to explore pursuits and activities in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s many of which have long since disappeared. When Out Of Town was first broadcast by ITV, these programs soon won a large following for the entertaining and informative way that they gave a gentle insight into country life, but as time has passed since the last transmission in 1981 they have become a nostalgic historical record of life in Britain from a bygone age.
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