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Tony Francis visits Goring in Oxfordshire and Streatley in Berkshire, two towns on opposite banks of the River Thames divided by a long standing rivalry. Views of both towns and the river (some shots in wet weather). Tony talks to Alison Collins who runs the high class Streatley Youth Hostel, thought to be the best equipped in the country, Brian Fenton who is a vet from Streatley, Christine Young who runs a rowing club in Goring, and Jill Seegers who edits the free newspaper that covers both towns but is called the Goring Gap thus missing out Streatley from its title. Tony also looks at the history of the Morrell family who used to own most of Streatley. It is thought that Goring has been in the ascendency since the nineteenth century when the railway station was opened that serves London.
For the next report Laura Martin meets the wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering who lives near Matlock in Derbyshire. We see her painting at home, and she talks about how she likes to get as close as possible to her subjects. She is also seen visiting Riber Castle and holding a hand reared snowy owl. We also hear from her daughter Anna-Louise. There are clips of a home video showing them viewing giant pandas in the wild and stills of a recent trip to the Arctic. Laura also joins them on a nighttime toad patrol to help the amphibians cross a dangerous road. Close up shots of toads.
We then return to the River Thames in Oxfordshire for a report about the annual swan upping which is a ceremonial event to count and ring the swans along the river and provide a report to be sent to Queen Elizabeth II. Tony talks to David Barber who has the title of Queen's Swan Marker and to Professor Chris Perrins of the University of Oxford who is helping out. Shots of men in decorated boats travelling along the river and catching swans. Tony also visits a swan rescue centre run by Dot Beeson (at Egham in Surrey?) who looks after injured birds.
For the final report Tony visits the village of Ewelme in Oxfordshire. He looks at the former home and grave of the writer Jerome K. Jerome and the oldest primary school in Europe which is in the village. He talks to local historian Barbara Blakeley and the head teacher of the school Wendy Jacobs.
Camera: Gary Caine; Glen Armstrong; Phil White; Huge Fairs
Sound: Charles Hudson; Sean Taylor; Michael O'Flynn
VT Editor: Justin Eely
Graphics: Martin Greenbank
Dubbing: Robin Ward
Research: Holly Tatham; Julie Bunting
Co-ordinator: Sue Freeman
Reporters: Laura Martin; Tony Francis
Location Directors: John Dickinson; Fran Groves
Series Producer: Tony Francis
Production number CEN/25820/012