Three Boys in a Boat

Three hardworking boys burn weeds, cut and transport reeds for an island hut on the lake at Maemawr Hall, Welshpool, and fry eggs outdoors.

Country living can afford the sort of opportunities that scouting was invented to deliver: plenty of fresh air and the learning of self reliance through practical and useful tasks, with a bit of fun thrown in. At Maesmawr Hall farm near Welshpool, David Trant, son of the farmer/film-maker, and two friends burn weeds and cut and transport reeds across the lake to an island hut they are building. A pigeon for the pot and campfire fried eggs ensure they don't go hungry.

Ion Trant of Dovea Farm, Tipperary, Ireland, studied agriculture in Canada and then took up a post at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth, where he met his future wife, Janet Owen of Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool, both of them working on improved grasses for upland farms with George Stapledon. The Trants farmed at Maesmawr Hall, the adjoining farm Cefn Du, and Esgairdraenllwyn at Llaithddu, Llandrindod, where Janet bred Welsh Black cattle crossed with Herefords. Ion created the "Country Close-Up" series for children (BBC 1956-62) – an extract seen here without live narration - to foster an understanding of the countryside. As John Kerry, he wrote a column for the Montgomeryshire Express.