by Angus Young
Countryfile is one of BBC1’s most popular programmes and on Sunday, June 29, it will feature one of our own local treasures.
Dean Wilson, who became well known among Gazette readers for his long-running Pebble of the Day series before starting a new weekly feature, Dean’s Discoveries, will appear in an episode devoted to the beautiful natural wilderness of Spurn Point.
Dean, who also styles himself as the fourth-best poet in Hull and second-best poet in Withernsea, recently spent a day filming at Spurn with a three-man Countryfile crew.
The results will be screened as part of the latest programme in the long-running show which covers rural, agricultural and environmental issues.
Dean said: “I got a call from a researcher asking if I’d be interested in being featured in a programme they were planning to do about Spurn Point. It came a bit out of the blue but I couldn’t say ‘no’.”
On the day in question, Dean donned his trademark woolly hat and spent six hours being filmed on the peninsula.
“It was a really great day because it was just like going for a day out at Spurn,” he said. “The crew were really nice, the weather was lovely too and I just talked about pebbles, poetry and what it’s like living in Withernsea.
“They filmed me talking about the pebbles I pick up along the coast, reading three of my poems and going up the lighthouse at Spurn to enjoy the view. I also talked about going to Spurn as a kid. It’s always been a magical place for me.
“Even though we were there all day, I was told they would only probably end up showing three or four minutes of me but I don’t mind. Hopefully when people see the programme it will help shift a few of my books and allow a few more people to discover my secret genius!”
Was he nervous about the potential of suddenly becoming a national treasure after appearing on one of the BBC’s top-rated shows?
“It’s either going to be the best thing I’ve ever done or I’ll never be able to leave the house again,” he said.