BBC4 redeemed.

My last blog lamented the debasement of so much 'cultural' television, with a particularly dreadful example from BBC4. So today I must pay tribute to a beautiful and charming programme with which BBC4 has redeemed itself. It was about Gilbert White, the 18th century naturalist and ecologist, and was presented by Michael Wood. Packed with information, but presented in a civilized and leisurely manner; ravishing to look at (it is a marvel that Selbourne seems to be completely unspoilt); with contributions by gardeners and scholars, all unfussy and unpretentious (and all of them so very English); the lovely character of White so well conveyed; reverential handling of beautiful books and manuscripts; Wood's own enthusiasm infectious and not meretricious and without inappropriate gesticulation; a sheer delight from beginning to end, without a single false note. Would there were more such sensitive producers!