BBC Countryfile Live National Trust Theatre Thursday 3 August

11.00-12.15 Opening of the National Trust Theatre followed by: An Audience with… Michaela Strachan Helen Ghosh, Director General of the National Trust, will officially open this year’s event with a short address which will be followed immediately by An Audience with…Michaela Strachan.

Michaela Strachan is one of British television’s best loved television presenters. From the Really Wild Show and Michaela’s Wild Challenge to Countryfile and – which this year was broadcast from our very own Sherborne Estate in Gloucestershire – has been bringing animals into our living rooms for more than twenty years.

Find out about the funniest, toughest and most heart-warming moments of her career. You’ll also discover her passion for helping endangered species, making sure children don’t miss out on the wild world – and why pulling a face won her an award that was better than a Bafta. Michaela Strachan

12.30-13.30 The lunchtime debate: Cheap food – but at what cost? We need to produce cheap food so people can afford to eat and our farmers can compete with other countries. But does it lead to more waste, more intensive farming – and lower welfare standards?

Debating this topic will be Andrew Blenkiron, Vice Chairman of Red Tractor, Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at London’s City University and Kathleen Kerridge, freelance writer on food poverty. BBC Countryfile Live National Trust Theatre Thursday 3 August

13.45-14.30 15.45-16.45 The Wainwright Golden Beer Prize – Awards Debate: Fracking, friend or foe? Event Fracking could help provide energy security for our The Wainwright Prize seeks to reward the best writing on nation and make money for the government. So the outdoors, nature and UK-based travel writing and is should concerns about safety, the environment and sponsored by Wainwright Golden Beer. climate change stand in its way?

The prize was inspired by Alfred Wainwright’s hugely- Joining us for this discussion will be Tom Fyans, influential walking guides for the Lake District and is Acting Chief Executive of CPRE, Craig Bennet, awarded in association with the National Trust. Chief Executive at Friends of the Earth with other guests to be confirmed soon. Countryfile presenter Matt Baker will introduce this year’s shortlist and reflect on his favourite nature books before announcing this year’s winner. The 2016 winner was The Outrun by Amy Liptrot.

Some of the authors shortlisted will be selling and signing books at the end of the event in the National Trust Theatre.

15.00-15.30

O2 Talk – details coming soon Scenic landscape at Wasdale, Cumbria BBC Countryfile Live National Trust Theatre Thursday 3 August

17:00-17.45 18.30-19.30 Mike Dilger’s Wild Guide to Nature Presenting Concert The One Show’s Mike Dilger is one of TV’s best-known Soundscapes – music inspired by nature wildlife presenters. He has birded, botanised and even For a perfect end to a brilliant day, why not relax and entomologised all over the world, from here in the UK to reflect listening to some of our favourite music that Southeast Asia. His books include Nightingales in has been inspired by nature? November, RSPB Wildlife in Your Garden and Wild Town. Join soprano Susanne Mecklenburg, pianist William Mike will talk about where Hancox and violist Judith Busbridge in a musical his love of nature came celebration of nature including some of the best-loved from and the challenges works by Haydn, Britten, Bridge, Vaughan Williams, that go with being a wildlife Walton, Granados and Poulenc. presenter who is literally up-for-anything.

Find out how he picked up the title of ‘Britain’s most diseased man’, learn a few bird calls, then sit back and enjoy an insightful and hilarious guide to one of the trickiest jobs in television. Mike Dilger

View over Longshaw Burbage and Eastern Moors