The Contented Countryman Fennel Hudson

In this episode Simon speaks about Old Country, the Channel 4 series based on Out of Town that ran for 60 episodes until 1985. He then discusses how the footage from Out of Town was rediscovered and salvaged, and what it was like for him to step into his stepfather’s shoes to present introductions to the new Further Out of Town DVD.

In this episode, Jack's stepson Simon speaks about the making of Out of Town, the way it was filmed and produced, and Jack’s belief in not revealing everything so that the viewer’s imagination can fill the gaps. He also speaks about the significance of presenting from a shed, and the traditional role of other outdoor-indoor portals to our homes, and Jack’s move from Southern Television to the newly formed Channel 4 where he was able to maintain the character of Out of Town in the new series Old Country.

In this episode we discover how Jack got into TV and honed his presenting skills to develop his famously warm, natural and intimate way of presenting. Simon explains how Jack created Out of Town, the TV series that ran throughout the sixties and seventies, only coming to an end in 1981 when Southern Television lost their franchise. He speaks about Jack’s perspectives on fishing and the importance of patience when being outdoors, also about the art of contemplation, of deliberately taking one’s time to savour things and reflect upon them – both of which are central to the character of Jack’s TV programmes and broadcasts.

In this first episode in the series, Jack's stepson Simon Baddeley talks about Jack’s childhood and how he came to love the countryside and then share these passions in later life with his new family when he came to live with Simon’s mum. We hear about Jack’s early successes in media and journalism, his work during the War, how he became a magazine editor, and his enduring desire to get away from urban places to experience and cherish rural life.

In this episode, Fennel reflects upon the past year and shares his thoughts ahead of the new 12-part season of The Contented Countryman podcast. He explains how and why the podcast will involve to include interviews, talks, book readings, nature observations and updates about his work with the newly-formed Wild Carp Trust conservation charity.

Traditional angler Fennel Hudson reflects upon his time at legendary big carp water Redmire Pool during its 80th Anniversary year.