Well, Terry Abraham has done it again!

Following on from his BBC hit series ‘Life of a Mountain’ he has now produced and directed a new film ‘Cumbrian Red - Saving Our Red Squirrels'.

Featuring stunning cinematography, this breath-taking, moving, and educational film documents the plight of native red squirrels within the Lake District National Park and Cumbria. It enables the viewer to learn more about the life of these beloved and iconic creatures alongside the voices of scientists, rangers, conservationists and locals as they seek to protect and conserve endangered red squirrels.

The film is narrated by Eric Robson OBE, Chairman of both the Cumbria Tourism Association and the Wainwright Society and was former Chairman of Gardeners’ Question Time. It has been produced in association with the University of Cumbria, Center Parcs, National Trust, Cumbrian Ales and The Beatrix Potter Society.

This film is a brilliant watch but it does not pull any punches. For example, it shows the devastating effect that Squirrelpox, a disease passed onto red squirrels from greys, can have on our native red population with some graphic illustrations. As well as this disease, grey squirrels are also responsible for killing birds, stealing bird’s eggs and damage to many young trees in the forests of both Cumbria and the rest of England.

There are interviews with Sara McNeil who runs “Red Squirrel Drive”, a hospital for injured squirrels, Gerry Moss who is responsible for tracking down and eliminating grey squirrels from red squirrel designated woodlands, and Peter Howarth the owner of Forest How in Eskdale where he has set up a sanctuary for residents to observe red squirrels. Other places the film visits where red squirrels can often be found are the Shap Wells Hotel, Rutter Falls near Appleby, and Center Parcs, Whinfell.

Beatrix Potter’s writings are also discussed, particularly her book of Squirrel Nutkin, and how popular this is with children. The film shows the squirrels climbing up and down trees (did you know Red Squirrel’s feet are double jointed so that they can descend trees facing downwards), leaping across streams and jumping from branch to branch in the forests.

For any nature lover this is excellent viewing and this DVD will provide nearly two hours of superb entertainment. It is available from Striding Edge Publications at www.stridingedge.com and is priced at £16.99. It would make an ideal Christmas present for any member of the family interested in wildlife and the outdoors.