Available online
Description
Guernsey with an area of 24 sq. miles had a population density in 1971 of over 2,000 for each sq. mile, more than two-and-a-half times that of the UK. This programme examines how Guernsey has respo...nded to population pressure by careful and detailed management of its limited resource base to achieve a standard of living comparable with that of its European neighbours. After a brief historical survey of changes in the use of its resources, the programme looks in detail at the tomato growing industry, currently the island's largest export earner. In particular, it examines how the industry, with Government support, has capitalized on Guernsey's slight climatic advantage, by investing in modern growing, marketing and distributive methods in order that tomatoes reach the UK market ahead of its main competitors.
Guernsey with an area of 24 sq. miles had a population density in 1971 of over 2,000 for each sq. mile, more than two-and-a-half times that of the UK. This programme examines how Guernsey has respo...nded to population pressure by careful and detailed management of its limited resource base to achieve a standard of living comparable with that of its European neighbours. After a brief historical survey of changes in the use of its resources, the programme looks in detail at the tomato growing industry, currently the island's largest export earner. In particular, it examines how the industry, with Government support, has capitalized on Guernsey's slight climatic advantage, by investing in modern growing, marketing and distributive methods in order that tomatoes reach the UK market ahead of its main competitors.
| Module code and title: | D101, Making sense of society |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D101; 04 |
| First transmission date: | 06-03-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:10 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nigel Houghton |
| Contributors: | Harold Dally; David Higgs; Francis Le Poidevin; Philip Sarre; Michael Tanguy |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Climatic advantage; Distribution; Exports; Government support; Marketing; Modern growing techniques; Population pressure; Tomato industry |
| Footage description: | Sarre introduces the programme and the block on Guernsey. Shots of Guernsey. Various maps emphasise the density of population. In the following sequence Sarre gives a brief historical description of what resources have been used and how. Prints of quarrying and film of blasting in progress. Brief look at agriculture. Shots of Guernsey cows. Prints of clippers, fishing vessels etc. Sarr outlines fishing, smuggling and resurgence over past years. The tourist industry is looked at next. Shots of channel ferry arriving, passengers disembarking . Beaches on Guernsey. Sarre turns to the main subject of the programme - horticulture. Map and aerial shots of glasshouses, shots of tomatoes being picked. Sarre asks Tanguy about the tomato market and Guernsey's competitors. Le Poidevin looks at the special role of the State's committee on horticulture. The work of the Horticultural Advisory Service is discussed with Dally, in greenhouse surrounded by geraniums. He outlines some of the ways for diversifying and increasing crop yield. More detailed look at some experiments with tomatoes, such as hydroponics and cultivation of FI hybrid seeds. The processing, packaging and marketing of tomatoes is discussed. Shots of tomatoes being graded, packed and taken to market. Tanguy outlines the Function of the Guernsey Tomato Marketing Board. More shots of tomatoes being examined and processed for export. Tanguy looks at the marketing methods. Shots of operations room at work and of ship being loaded. Le Poidevin and Higgs assess the contribution of the Marketing board to this stabilisation of the industry. Dally looks at the future of the tomato market and horticulture in general. Sarre sums up on the case study. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71677 |
| Production number: | 00525_2156 |
| Videofinder number: | 1659 |
| Available to public: | no |
