29/07/2010 by Jeff Sechiari.

My thanks to Graham Lawley who has forwarded this :

Subject: [scoopgen] ‘Beertickers’ documentary - Saturday 21st August, 8pm

Beertickers * UK Premiere*
Saturday 21st August, 8pm
Blighty (Sky channel 534)

Over the last three decades Brian Moore has searched out, drank and recorded over 38,000 different beers. Let’s say that again. Over the years Brian Moore has sampled over 38,000 beers. He is the undisputed Champion Beerticker of Britain, and quite possibly the world.

Beerticking, or scooping as it’s also known, is where the traditions of ale drinking lie and has an unwritten and very strange set of rules (often flouted) – the tickers travel the length and breadth of the country, and some travel the world in search of new cask conditioned beers that they can drink and `tick’ before adding to their ever-growing list.

Following Brian the Champ, Dave Unpronounceable, Mick the Tick and Gazza Prescott the film is a journey into the world of collecting and Britain ’s national drink – real ale. As alcohol is further taxed and binge drinking dominant in the media, these passionate filmmakers explore the hobby of beerticking and its position in a far bigger context of beer history and national pride.

This is a film about obsession, identity, curiosity and tradition, and the documentary’s film is an exploration of the collector’s psyche and of Great British drinking culture – not to mention a severe test of one filmmaker’s affection for and dedication to beer.

http://uktv.co.uk/network/stepbystep/aid/637086

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17/01/2010 by Jeff Sechiari.

Tonight’s (17/01/10) Countryfile (BBC tv) included a visit to Wadworth in Devizes, looking at the shire horses, the cooper and the signwriter. This should be repeated later in the week and will presumably be on the iPlayer (a piece of technology beyond my very slow broadband connection)

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