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River Severn

Episode 2 of 5

Wiz explores Captain Bill Swinley's fertile Gloucestershire acres for the perfect accompaniments to River Severn eel. From 2002.

Wiz Clift rummages through Captain Bill Swinley's fertile acres in search of the perfect accompaniments for a dish of flash-fried River Severn eel.

Cut off from the rest of England by the broad Severn on one side and the Forest of Dean on the other, Captain Bill Swinley's garden basks in its own micro-climate.

The sheltered warmth of his sloping acres have allowed him to cultivate the largest collection of rare plum and damson varieties in private hands.

It's also given him the chance to grow a broad range of unusual fruits and vegetables - many harking back to his days in the Caribbean, where he spent the post-war years setting up the navy of Barbados.

Presented by Wiz Clift

Produced by Alasdair Cross

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in 2002.

Release date:

15 minutes

On radio

Tue 7 Jul 2026 09:30

Broadcast

  • Tue 7 Jul 2026 09:30